Compare 425 Public Finance. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $78,650. Top programs: $202,069+.
With top graduates earning $202,069, Public Finance stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $123K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 425 ranked programs nationally, outcomes track program quality, not school reputation.
Topping the list, the University of Pennsylvania's Public Finance program delivers $202,069 in median earnings—nearly $16,500 ahead of second-ranked Washington University in St. Louis at $185,551. The field average sits at $78,650, meaning Penn's program outperforms the typical program by more than $123K. The University of Texas at Austin, a public institution ranked 10th, posts $132,075—outpacing several higher-profile private schools in the same ranking.
For families weighing actual debt, Brigham Young University makes a compelling case: graduates carry just $20,768 in combined student and parent debt, with a 2.8% family payment burden that earns an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating. Penn tops the student-only comparison with a 1.2% burden on $15,715 in federal loans—also 'Excellent.' [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $202,069
Strong outcomes ($141,860) with 59% acceptance rate
1.2% payment burden | Excellent
2.8% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $202,069 | 398 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Excellent |
| #2 | $185,551 | 181 | $17,500 | Excellent | $24,585 | Excellent | |
| #3 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $160,313 | 260 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Excellent |
| #4 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $152,744 | 214 | $15,500 | Excellent | $33,944 | Excellent |
| #5 | Boston CollegePrivate | $147,746 | 325 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Excellent |
| #6 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $145,996 | 147 | $21,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Excellent |
| #7 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $141,860 | 229 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Excellent |
| #8 | American UniversityPrivate | $134,332 | 75 | $22,750 | Excellent | $39,169 | Good |
| #9 | $133,852 | 290 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Good | |
| #10 | $132,075 | 407 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Excellent | |
| #11 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $131,996 | 231 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Good |
| #12 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $129,879 | 198 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #13 | $129,850 | 249 | $20,500 | Excellent | $33,574 | Excellent | |
| #14 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $127,210 | 197 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Good |
| #15 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $126,638 | 119 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Excellent |
| #16 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | $124,270 | 21 | $20,500 | Excellent | $72,092 | Manageable |
| #17 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $120,274 | 227 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Good |
| #18 | $119,978 | 301 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Good | |
| #19 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $118,737 | 160 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Good |
| #20 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $115,013 | 128 | $18,500 | Excellent | $27,270 | Excellent |
| #21 | Bentley UniversityPrivate | $113,795 | 244 | $25,023 | Excellent | $43,757 | Good |
| #22 | $112,319 | 307 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #23 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $111,304 | 212 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | Manageable |
| #24 | $110,648 | 376 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Good | |
| #25 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $110,406 | 348 | $23,000 | Excellent | $34,512 | Good |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
