45 Colleges Where Graduates Out-Earn Ivy League Schools (2025 Data)
Which colleges have higher post-graduation earnings than Ivy League schools?
Analysis reveals 47 colleges where graduates earn more than Ivy League schools. All 47 beat at least one Ivy (Brown: $93,487), 31 beat the Ivy average ($102,655), and 7 even beat the highest-earning Ivy (Penn: $111,371). Among the 28 Triple Threats, Carnegie Mellon reports $114,862 (+12% above the Ivy average). However, 28 schools meet all three criteria — higher earnings, lower costs, and higher ROI — than the Ivy average. Most high-earning alternatives cost as much as — or more than — the Ivies.
Jump to: Who Tops the List • Triple Threats • By Category • Methodology
The Ivy League Earnings Monopoly Is Over
By Tyson Stevens, EDsmart Staff • Published Oct 2025
New analysis of the U.S. College Scorecard finds 47 colleges where grads out-earn at least one Ivy; 28 deliver the Triple Threat: higher pay, lower cost, better ROI.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (May 2025); calculations by EDsmart.
Key Takeaway
47 colleges out-earn at least one Ivy, with 28 achieving the Triple Threat of higher earnings, lower cost, and better ROI than the Ivy average.
Key Insight
"Prestige isn't the same as payoff," says Tyson Stevens. "Our analysis shows many regional schools deliver more value on this ROI metric than elite peers."
What This Means
This data-driven shift challenges decades of assumptions about which colleges offer the best financial returns. Public universities and specialized programs increasingly deliver comparable or superior earnings outcomes.
Why It Matters
For families weighing college options, this data reveals that what you study—and what you pay for it—matters far more than the logo on the diploma.
At-a-Glance: The Numbers
| Metric | Top Performer | Ivy average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-year median earnings | $143,372 (MIT) | $102,655 | $143,372 vs. $102,655 (+40%) |
| Total Degree Cost | $40,916 (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) | $84,021 | $40,916 vs. $84,021 (−51%) |
| ROI | 151% (Stanford) | 122% | 151% vs. 122% (+24% higher) |
Note: "Top Performer" reflects the full analysis universe, not only the 47 top-earning schools. Some top performers (e.g., U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)) do not out-earn an Ivy but lead on cost/ROI.
Key Finding: All 47 beat ≥1 Ivy • 31 beat the Ivy average ($102,655) • 7 beat Penn • 28 achieve Triple Threat (earnings + cost + ROI)
Ivy League Range: Brown ($93,487)–Penn ($111,371) • Ivy average: $102,655
Note: ROI is a simple earnings-to-cost ratio, not an investment return rate.
Key Findings at a Glance
Understanding the Ivy League Benchmark
Ivy League earnings vary significantly by institution. Here's the complete picture:
Average
The Rare "Triple Threats": Schools That Beat Ivy on Everything
Only two schools achieve the trifecta: higher earnings than the Ivy average, lower total cost than the Ivy average, and superior return on investment. These are the true value champions.
Forty-five schools produce graduates who out-earn Ivy League alumni. But when you layer in cost and return on investment, that number shrinks dramatically.
Note: West Coast University campuses and Chamberlain are for-profit institutions; outcomes and accreditation vary by campus.
Only two institutions beat the Ivy average on all three metrics simultaneously. These "Triple Threats" deliver higher salaries, at lower total costs, generating better returns on every tuition dollar spent.
| School | Earnings | Total Cost | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon | $114,862 (+12%) | $80,514 (-4%) | 143% |
| Stanford | $124,080 (+21%) | $82,162 (-2%) | 151% |
Note: Both schools are elite private research universities with strong engineering and technology programs.
The Pattern: These 2 schools represent elite private research universities with strong engineering and technology programs—both delivering higher earnings at lower cost with superior ROI than the Ivy average.
Cost Isn't Everything: Higher Salaries Often Come with Higher Program Costs
Here's where the story gets complicated: earning more doesn't always mean better value. Many high-earning schools charge premium prices that can erode the financial advantage.
While 45 schools beat Ivy League earnings, many of them cost just as much or more (Ivy League average: $84,021). Breaking into six-figure salaries typically requires six-figure educational investment.
The Trade-Off
- 3 schools beat Ivy League on earnings and cost less
- 2 schools beat Ivy League on all three metrics (earnings, cost, ROI)
- 42 schools beat Ivy League on earnings but cost more
Higher salaries don't always equal better value—cost still matters.
The Major Effect: Program Mix Matters More Than Prestige
Outcomes reflect field of study and student mix as much as institutional brand—a reality that families should factor into their college decisions.
The Paths to High Earnings: What Types of Schools Lead?
Not all high-earning schools are created equal. Our analysis reveals distinct patterns by institution type—each with different cost structures, program focuses, and value propositions.
Different paths lead to high earnings—but at very different costs. Here's how each category performs:
Engineering Powerhouses (12 schools; highest pay, often higher cost)
Engineering schools deliver the highest median salaries (~$100K+). Many carry premium total costs (~24% above the Ivy average), with Caltech and MIT as notable lower-cost, high-ROI exceptions.
Maritime & Service Academies (best value profile in our analysis)
Includes: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Maine Maritime, Cal Maritime. Note: USMMA is tuition-free; service obligations apply.
Elite Research Universities (near-Ivy parity)
Includes: Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Duke, Notre Dame, Boston College, Lehigh.
Business-Focused Schools (solid pay, ROI dampened by price)
Includes: Babson, Bentley, Santa Clara, Claremont McKenna.
Where High-Earning Graduates Come From: Geographic Patterns
The 45 schools span 19 states, with California and Massachusetts leading in both quantity and quality of high-earning programs.
Top States by Number of High-Earning Schools
California (8 schools)
Engineering and tech powerhouse, led by Caltech's world-class programs in science and engineering.
Massachusetts (5 schools)
Tech and research hub, with MIT leading the pack in engineering and computer science outcomes.
New York (3 schools)
Mix of health sciences and service academies, including U.S. Merchant Marine Academy—the best overall value.
Pennsylvania (2 schools)
Tech and research universities, led by Carnegie Mellon's computer science and engineering programs.
Indiana (2 schools)
Strong mix of private research universities and specialized programs, with Notre Dame leading in business and engineering outcomes.
Other States Represented
Other states with multiple schools: New Jersey (2), North Carolina (2), Georgia (2), Texas (2), Florida (2), Ohio (2), Illinois (2), Missouri (2), Arizona (2); +7 states with one school each.
Geographic diversity shows that high-earning programs exist across the country, not just in traditional academic hubs.
Who Tops the List: All 47 Schools That Beat At Least One Ivy on Earnings
Highlights from the 47 schools that beat at least one Ivy League institution on earnings; 'Triple Threats' are a separate filter (pay + price + ROI). Ivy League average: $102,655 | Range: Brown ($93,487)–Penn ($111,371) †
† Small earnings cohorts (privacy-suppressed or unusually low Ns) should be interpreted cautiously.
Important: for-profit campuses are included when they exceed at least one Ivy on earnings; verify current regional accreditation status and licensure pass rates, including NCLEX/NAPLEX pass rates and regional accreditation, for program-level decisions. Multiple West Coast University campuses appear; results are campus-specific.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Public
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA • Public
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Public
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Albany, NY • Public
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Needham, MA • Public
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Public
MCPHS University
Boston, MA • Public
Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Public
Babson College
Wellesley, MA • Public
Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Public
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Public
Gnomon
Hollywood, CA • Public
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Public
Helene Fuld College of Nursing
New York, NY • Public
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ • Public
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA • Public
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ • Public
Miami Ad School-Atlanta
Atlanta, GA • Public
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Public
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA • Public
St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens
Rego Park, NY • Public
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Public
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Public
Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Public
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA • Public
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA • Public
West Coast University-Miami
Doral, FL • Public
West Coast University-Dallas
Richardson, TX • Public
West Coast University-Ontario
Ontario, CA • Public
West Coast University-Orange County
Anaheim, CA • Public
West Coast University-Los Angeles
North Hollywood, CA • Public
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Public
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Public
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Public
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN • Public
Yale University
New Haven, CT • Public
Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Public
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Public
Neumont College of Computer Science
Salt Lake City, UT • Public
Duke University
Durham, NC • Public
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Public
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO • Public
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY • Public
Kettering University
Flint, MI • Public
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA • Public
California State University Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA • Public
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA • Public
Media-Ready Stats (Copy & Paste)
Quick Quote: "47 colleges produce graduates who out-earn Ivy League alumni, with 28 achieving the Triple Threat of higher earnings, lower cost, and better ROI."
Pullquote: "28 schools beat the Ivy average on pay, price, and ROI." — EDsmart
Method: U.S. College Scorecard, 10-year median earnings; nominal dollars; institution-level; descriptive.
Comparisons are institution-level medians; specialized or graduate-heavy schools (e.g., pharmacy) may not be directly comparable to broad undergraduate colleges.
Contact: EDsmart • Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (May 2025)
Methodology & FAQ
This analysis uses the latest available data from the U.S. College Scorecard to identify colleges where graduates earn more than Ivy League schools.
Data Sources & Methods
Data source: U.S. College Scorecard (May 2025)
Metrics: Ten-year median earnings; Total Degree Cost; ROI = earnings ÷ cost
Scope: Students working and not enrolled; institution-level; nominal dollars; descriptive comparisons (not causal)
Title IV scope: College Scorecard earnings reflect Title IV aid recipients
All data available at collegescorecard.ed.gov
Total Degree Cost Definition: Total degree cost = latest published net price × typical years to completion. Scorecard net price is for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving aid. For institutions with mixed undergrad/grad reporting, we restrict to undergraduate net price and undergraduate completion metrics. We estimate years to completion as 4.0 years if four-year graduation rate ≥70%; 4.5 years if 50–69%; 5.0 years if 25–49%; and use institution-specific completion data where available. Results are stable to ±0.5 years in sensitivity checks. USMMA is tuition-free; net price includes fees, room, and board. Service obligations apply and may affect career paths; earnings paths often reflect maritime officer roles with atypical schedules/benefits. We flag institutions with small earnings cohorts (privacy-suppressed or unusually low Ns); interpret those results with caution.
What '10-year median earnings' means: Earnings reflect the College Scorecard's 10-year post-enrollment median for each institution; values capture all majors combined and represent graduates working and not enrolled in further education. Figures are medians for students working and not enrolled (regardless of completion); program mix (e.g., engineering vs. liberal arts) affects outcomes. Within the same school, CS/engineering majors typically out-earn liberal-arts majors by ~50%+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which non-Ivy colleges beat Ivy League earnings?
The EDsmart analysis identified 47 colleges whose graduates earn more than at least one Ivy League school, with 31 exceeding the Ivy average and 7 even surpassing Penn's $111,371 benchmark.
Which Ivy League schools have the highest and lowest earnings in your analysis?
According to EDsmart's 2025 analysis, Penn graduates report the highest median earnings ($111,371) and Brown the lowest ($93,487) among the eight Ivy League universities.
How do you define ROI in this study?
EDsmart defines ROI as a simple ratio: median graduate earnings divided by total degree cost. For example, Carnegie Mellon's $114,862 earnings ÷ $80,514 total cost ≈ 143% ROI. Ivy average ROI: 122%.
What do "10-year median earnings" measure?
They represent the median wages of former students ten years after entering college, among those working and not enrolled, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Do you adjust earnings for cost of living?
No. EDsmart uses nominal earnings from the College Scorecard. The top performers (e.g., Caltech, MIT, USMMA) remain leaders even when adjusting for regional price differences.
Why focus on earnings rather than other outcomes?
Earnings data provides a concrete, comparable metric across institutions. While other factors matter (networking, research opportunities, personal growth), earnings reflect the economic value of education—a key consideration for families making significant financial investments.
What about the "Ivy League premium" in certain fields?
Some fields (investment banking, consulting, law) do show Ivy League advantages. However, our data shows that engineering, computer science, and healthcare programs at non-Ivy schools often deliver comparable or superior outcomes at lower costs.
How do you handle for-profit institutions?
For-profit schools are included when they exceed at least one Ivy on earnings. However, we flag them clearly and recommend verifying current regional accreditation status and licensure pass rates (NCLEX/NAPLEX for healthcare programs) before enrollment decisions.
What about graduate school outcomes?
This analysis focuses on undergraduate outcomes. Many high-earning graduates pursue advanced degrees, but we measure earnings 10 years after initial enrollment to capture the value of the undergraduate degree itself.
What is a "Public Ivy"?
"Public Ivy" refers to public universities that offer Ivy-caliber education and prestige at public-school prices. See the UC Berkeley overview for context.
Why isn't Stanford part of the Ivy League?
The Ivy League is an athletic conference of eight Northeastern universities. Stanford, located in California, was never part of it. The university joined the ACC in 2024 (Stanford News).
Are U.S. service academies really tuition-free?
Yes. Federal service academies like the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are tuition-free. Students cover room, board, and fees, and commit to post-graduation service obligations.
Who is Yale's biggest rival?
Harvard. The two schools face off annually in "The Game," one of college football's oldest rivalries (Yale News; Harvard Gazette).
What are "New Ivies" or "Hidden Ivies"?
These are informal labels for selective non-Ivy schools that deliver comparable academic quality and outcomes. The University of Pittsburgh explains this concept in "What Are the New Ivies?" (pitt.edu).
How to Cite
EDsmart (2025). Ivy League Earnings Alternatives 2025. Retrieved from https://www.edsmart.org/newsroom/ivy-league-earnings-alternatives/
EDsmart.org • Published Oct 2025