# Best Value Colleges: Graduate Earnings vs. Net Price (2026) > The 20 U.S. colleges where median graduate earnings are highest relative to average net price, among schools graduating most students. - Page: https://www.collegesref.com/blog/best-value-colleges-earnings-vs-net-price - Category: College Guides - Author: CollegesRef Editorial - Published: 2026-11-03 - Updated: 2026-11-05 - Data guide: figures are built only from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data. The U.S. colleges where former students earn the most relative to what families pay are CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, Princeton University, and California State University-Fullerton. At CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, median earnings ten years after entry are $83,742 against an average net price of $657 a year, a ratio of 127.5 to 1. Only colleges that graduate at least 60% of students are included, so the list favors schools where most students finish. ## Colleges with the highest earnings-to-net-price ratio | # | College | State | Earnings to price | Median earnings (10 yrs) | Avg. net price | Graduation rate | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | [CUNY Bernard M Baruch College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-bernard-m-baruch-college-732) | NY | 127.5 to 1 | $83,742 | $657 | 70% | | 2 | [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | NJ | 17.1 to 1 | $133,523 | $7,815 | 97% | | 3 | [California State University-Fullerton](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-fullerton-370) | CA | 13.5 to 1 | $69,015 | $5,115 | 68% | | 4 | [University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-florida-2910) | FL | 13.1 to 1 | $78,456 | $5,969 | 92% | | 5 | [Yale University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/yale-university-3312) | CT | 10.4 to 1 | $118,356 | $11,340 | 96% | | 6 | [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | MA | 10.3 to 1 | $152,553 | $14,815 | 96% | | 7 | [Stanford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stanford-university-2589) | CA | 10.2 to 1 | $125,340 | $12,307 | 92% | | 8 | [Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus GA Tech](https://www.collegesref.com/college/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus-ga-tech-1072) | GA | 9.5 to 1 | $114,210 | $12,028 | 94% | | 9 | [University of Michigan-Dearborn](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-dearborn-2957) | MI | 8.5 to 1 | $66,897 | $7,863 | 61% | | 10 | [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | CA | 8.2 to 1 | $77,464 | $9,404 | 68% | | 11 | [Rice University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rice-university-2227) | TX | 8.1 to 1 | $90,773 | $11,164 | 95% | | 12 | [Florida State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/florida-state-university-main-campus-985) | FL | 7.9 to 1 | $68,225 | $8,605 | 86% | | 13 | [University of Illinois at Chicago](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-illinois-at-chicago-2925) | IL | 7.7 to 1 | $73,666 | $9,540 | 61% | | 14 | [California State University-Long Beach](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-long-beach-371) | CA | 7.4 to 1 | $69,554 | $9,426 | 70% | | 15 | [University of South Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-south-florida-3049) | FL | 7.4 to 1 | $63,660 | $8,648 | 78% | | 16 | [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-main-campus-2990) | NC | 7.2 to 1 | $81,094 | $11,305 | 91% | | 17 | [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | NY | 7.1 to 1 | $109,430 | $15,370 | 95% | | 18 | [University of Washington-Tacoma Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-tacoma-campus-3076) | WA | 7.0 to 1 | $83,105 | $11,900 | 60% | | 19 | [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | CA | 6.9 to 1 | $100,212 | $14,538 | 94% | | 20 | [Washington University in St Louis WUSTL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/washington-university-in-st-louis-wustl-3172) | MO | 6.8 to 1 | $91,497 | $13,360 | 93% | ## Key takeaways - The lowest earnings-to-price ratio on this list is 6.8 to 1 and the highest is 127.5 to 1. - Average net price on this list: $657 to $15,370 (median $10,352). - Median earnings on this list: $63,660 to $152,553 (median $83,424). - The list includes 13 public and 7 private nonprofit institutions. ## A closer look at the top 5 **[CUNY Bernard M Baruch College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-bernard-m-baruch-college-732)** (New York, NY) is a public college that admits 48% of applicants, reports a 70% graduation rate, has an average net price of $657, and enrolls about 16,154 students. [See colleges like CUNY Bernard M Baruch College](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/cuny-bernard-m-baruch-college-732). **[Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154)** (Princeton, NJ) is a private nonprofit college that admits 5% of applicants, reports a 97% graduation rate, has an average net price of $7,815, and enrolls about 5,709 students. [See colleges like Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/princeton-university-2154). **[California State University-Fullerton](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-fullerton-370)** (Fullerton, CA) is a public college that admits 91% of applicants, reports a 68% graduation rate, has an average net price of $5,115, and enrolls about 38,546 students. [See colleges like California State University-Fullerton](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/california-state-university-fullerton-370). **[University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-florida-2910)** (Gainesville, FL) is a public college that admits 24% of applicants, reports a 92% graduation rate, has an average net price of $5,969, and enrolls about 35,629 students. [See colleges like University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/university-of-florida-2910). **[Yale University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/yale-university-3312)** (New Haven, CT) is a private nonprofit college that admits 4% of applicants, reports a 96% graduation rate, has an average net price of $11,340, and enrolls about 6,758 students. [See colleges like Yale University](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/yale-university-3312). ## How to use this list ### Compare the extremes of the ratio Start by looking at the relationship between the top performer and the rest of the list. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College stands out with an earnings-to-price ratio of 127.5 to 1, driven by an exceptionally low average net price of $657 and median earnings of $83,742. The next highest is Princeton University at 17.1 to 1. When you look at the table, do not just focus on the rank number. Look at how the ratio is built. A high ratio can be achieved in two ways. A school can have moderate graduate earnings combined with an incredibly low net price, or it can have high net prices balanced by massive graduate salaries. For example, California State University-Fullerton has a 13.5 to 1 ratio because its net price is kept down to $5,115, even though its median graduate earnings of $69,015 are lower than most others on this list. Conversely, Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT has a lower ratio of 10.3 to 1, but its graduates post the highest median earnings on the list at $152,553. Decide which of these two paths aligns better with your financial reality. If you must avoid student loans entirely, the low-cost path of the California State or CUNY systems will be more attractive than the high-salary, higher-cost path of elite private universities. ### Contrast public and private net pricing Compare the institutions on this list against national benchmarks to understand how unusual these twenty schools are. CollegesRef data shows that across all 1,408 published U.S. colleges with at least 2,000 students, the median average net price is $13,737, and the median graduate earnings ten years after entry are $52,768. When you compare the public universities on this list to the national median for public colleges, the differences are stark. The national median average net price for public colleges is $10,437, yet the University of Florida sits at $5,969 and Florida State University-Main Campus is at $8,605. For the private nonprofit colleges on this list, the contrast is even greater. The national median average net price for private nonprofit colleges is $27,167. However, Yale University has an average net price of $11,340, and Stanford University is at $12,307. These elite private schools use their massive endowments to offer generous need-based aid, which pulls their net price far below the national average for private colleges and drives up their earnings-to-price ratios. If your family income qualifies you for significant institutional aid, these private schools can be cheaper than your local state university. ### Check the graduation rate threshold Every college on this list has a graduation rate of at least 60%. This is a critical filter because a low net price and high median earnings mean nothing to a student who drops out. According to CollegesRef data, the national median graduation rate is just 44%. When you click through to a college profile, check the graduation rate first. For instance, the University of Washington-Tacoma Campus sits right on the threshold with a 60% graduation rate, while Princeton University graduates 97% of its students. If you choose a school with a lower graduation rate, you run a higher risk of leaving with student debt but no degree to help pay it off. Next, look at the share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants on the profile page. The national median is 34%. Schools with high Pell Grant enrollment and high graduation rates, like CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, are proven engines of social mobility. Finally, compare the federal loan limits against the net price of your chosen school. According to studentaid.gov, a dependent undergraduate can borrow a maximum of $5,500 in their first year and up to $27,000 over four years. If the net price at a school like Columbia University ($15,370) or Washington University in St Louis ($13,360) exceeds what your family can pay out of pocket, federal student loans will not cover the gap. You would have to rely on Parent PLUS loans, which studentaid.gov caps at $20,000 per year starting July 1, 2026, or seek private loans. Use the net price calculator on each college's profile to estimate your actual out-of-pocket costs before applying. ## Who this list helps most Families evaluating colleges often struggle to balance academic reputation against the actual cost of attendance. This list targets applicants who prioritize a high, rapid return on their educational investment. It is particularly useful for students who must finance their education largely through self-funding, work, or federal student loans. ### High-need students and debt-averse families For a student eligible for the maximum Federal Pell Grant of $7,395 for the 2026-27 award year, as documented by [studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell), minimizing out-of-pocket costs is essential. This list highlights institutions where the average net price remains low enough that federal grants and modest student loans can cover the entire bill. According to federal rules on [studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized), a dependent undergraduate can borrow a maximum of $5,500 in Direct Loans during their first year, with a cumulative four-year limit of $27,000. When a college's average net price is under $10,000, like the $5,115 net price at California State University-Fullerton or the $8,605 net price at Florida State University-Main Campus, a student can realistically graduate with a debt load that falls well under those federal limits. This prevents families from needing to rely on Parent PLUS loans, which are capped at $20,000 per year under the regulations taking effect for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, as detailed on [studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/parent). This data also serves independent undergraduates. These students face a first-year Direct Loan limit of $9,500 and an aggregate limit of $57,500, according to [studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized). For an independent student balancing work and school, choosing a high-ratio institution like CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, with its average net price of $657, means they can complete their degree without exhausting their federal borrowing capacity. ### Who should look elsewhere This list is a poor fit for students targeting highly specialized, low-earning fields or those who do not qualify for need-based financial aid. The median earnings of $83,424 for the colleges on this list are heavily driven by graduates entering business, engineering, and technology sectors at institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Georgia Institute of Technology. If an applicant plans to pursue a career in fine arts, social work, or early childhood education, the ten-year median earnings at these specific schools will not reflect their personal financial future. Furthermore, families with high household incomes will find the average net price figures misleading. Because the average net price calculation includes heavy need-based discounting, a wealthy family will likely pay the full sticker price. At private institutions on this list, such as Yale University or Stanford University, the published tuition and fees exceed $60,000, far above the average net prices of $11,340 and $12,307 reported here. For these families, the actual earnings-to-price ratio will be much lower than the ratios shown in the table. Additionally, students looking for a low-stress admissions path may find this list frustrating. The colleges featured here are highly competitive. Princeton University and Yale University accept only 5% and 4% of applicants, respectively. Even the public options, such as the University of Florida with its 24% acceptance rate, turn away the majority of applicants. Families looking for accessible, broad-access institutions must look beyond this top-20 list. CollegesRef data shows that across all 1,408 published U.S. colleges with at least 2,000 students, the median acceptance rate is 78%, and the median graduation rate is 44%. Because this list filters out any school with a graduation rate below 60%, it excludes many regional public universities that admit the vast majority of applicants but still offer solid local employment networks. An applicant with a modest academic profile would be better served by looking at regional public colleges, where CollegesRef data shows a median average net price of $10,437 and median in-state tuition of $6,034, rather than focusing exclusively on these highly selective, high-ratio institutions. ## What this list cannot tell you An earnings-to-price ratio of 127.5 to 1 at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or 17.1 to 1 at Princeton University looks like an obvious financial decision. These numbers compress complex institutional realities into a single data point. To avoid misinterpreting these metrics, families must understand the structural limitations of both the numerator and the denominator in this ratio. ### The blind spots of ten-year median earnings The earnings figures in the table come from the College Scorecard, which tracks students ten years after they first enrolled in college. This timeline means graduates have been in the workforce for roughly six years, assuming they finished a bachelor's degree in four. First, these figures only include students who received federal financial aid. If a wealthy student paid full price at Stanford University or Yale University without filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), their high Wall Street or Silicon Valley salary is completely missing from the $125,340 and $118,356 medians. Second, the median earnings metric does not adjust for geographic cost of living. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates largely remain in the New York metropolitan area, where nominal salaries are high but housing costs are elevated. A graduate from the University of Florida earning the median $78,456 in Gainesville may enjoy equivalent or greater purchasing power than a peer earning $83,742 in Manhattan. Third, the data blends all academic majors together. A computer science graduate from California State University-Fullerton will likely earn far more than the school's $69,015 median, while a visual arts graduate from the same campus will likely earn less. If you choose a low-paying field at a high-earning school, your personal ratio will not match the institutional average. Finally, these figures do not account for graduate school. Students who go on to earn medical, law, or doctoral degrees are often in residency or low-paying postdoctoral positions ten years after undergraduate entry. This temporarily depresses the median earnings of highly academic institutions like Harvard, Yale, or MIT. ### The deception of average net price The average net price shown in the table is the actual cost of attendance after subtracting all federal, state, and institutional grant aid. It includes tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. However, this average is highly misleading for individual households. CollegesRef data for all 1,408 published U.S. colleges with at least 2,000 students shows a median average net price of $13,737. Private nonprofit colleges have a much higher median net price of $27,167, while public colleges sit at $10,437. Yet, elite private schools like Princeton University ($7,815 net price) and Yale University ($11,340 net price) buck this trend by using their massive endowments to offer generous need-based aid. If your family income exceeds $150,000, you will not pay the $7,815 average net price at Princeton. You will likely pay closer to the full sticker price. Conversely, if your family income is under $65,000, your net price at Princeton or Stanford could be $0, while a public university like California State Polytechnic University-Pomona might still cost you several thousand dollars because state grants rarely cover off-campus housing and food. The average net price also fails to show the cost of finishing late. The ratio assumes a four-year path. If a student takes six years to graduate from California State University-Long Beach, which has a 70% graduation rate, they must pay two extra years of net price and delay their entry into the full-time workforce. That delay completely alters the true earnings-to-price ratio. Families must look at the net price calculator on each college's financial aid website to get an estimate tailored to their tax returns, rather than relying on the institutional averages listed here. ## Questions to ask the colleges on this list When you look at the high earnings and low net prices of the top twenty institutions, you are seeing institutional averages. Your own financial aid package and career trajectory will vary. To find out how these national figures translate to your specific situation, you must ask targeted questions of the admissions and financial aid offices. ### Probing the net price and aid package Average net price is a blended figure. It does not guarantee what you will pay, especially since the maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2026-27 award year is capped at $7,395 according to studentaid.gov. Use these questions to uncover your actual costs. * **"What is the median net price for families in our specific income bracket?"** A useful answer from a financial aid officer will go beyond the general net price calculator. They should provide a historical breakdown of aid packages for your income band, showing the typical split between institutional grants, federal grants, work-study, and loans. If they point you back to a generic calculator without offering historical context, they are avoiding the question. * **"Does your financial aid packaging policy front-load grants in the first year?"** Some colleges offer generous institutional grants to freshmen but replace those grants with loans in subsequent years. A helpful response will explicitly state whether your grant aid is guaranteed for all four years, provided your family's financial circumstances and the student's GPA remain stable. * **"How much of the average net price is expected to be covered by student loans?"** According to studentaid.gov, dependent undergraduates face strict Direct Loan annual limits: $5,500 in the first year, $6,500 in the second year, and $7,500 in the third year and beyond. Over four years, a dependent student can borrow at most $27,000. Ask the aid office if their typical aid package requires borrowing up to these federal limits, or if they expect families to utilize Parent PLUS loans, which are capped at $20,000 per year for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026. A transparent office will show you a sample award letter detailing exact loan types and amounts. ### Verifying graduate earnings and career support The median earnings of $133,523 at Princeton University or $83,742 at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College represent all majors combined. Your earning potential depends heavily on your specific field of study. * **"What are the median earnings specifically for graduates in my intended major five and ten years after graduation?"** The career services office should have this data broken down by CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) codes. A useful answer is a concrete dollar amount or a detailed report showing employment rates and salary ranges for recent alumni from that specific department. If the office only offers broad, university-wide averages, they are hiding program-specific weaknesses. * **"What percentage of graduates in this major are employed in their field within six months, and which employers hire the most graduates?"** A strong career services department will name specific companies, government agencies, or non-profit organizations that actively recruit on campus. They should also provide the percentage of graduates who go directly into industry versus those who enroll in graduate school. * **"Are internships in this major typically paid, and does the college offer stipends for unpaid summer internships?"** At highly ranked schools like Yale University or Stanford University, students often secure lucrative summer internships. If your major requires unpaid internships in public service or the arts, ask if the university has dedicated donor funds to cover your living expenses. A useful answer will name the specific grant program, the application deadline, and the average award amount. ## Common mistakes when reading rankings like this ### Confusing average net price with your actual cost A major error is assuming your family will pay the exact average net price listed for these schools. The average net price is a blended figure calculated by the federal government. It subtracts the average grant aid from the total cost of attendance, but it includes students from all income brackets. For a highly selective private school like Princeton University, which has an average net price of $7,815, the actual cost for a low-income family might be close to zero. Conversely, a high-income family who does not qualify for need-based aid will pay the full sticker price, which exceeds $80,000 per year. For public institutions like California State University-Fullerton, the average net price of $5,115 is highly dependent on state residency. Out-of-state students will face much higher tuition rates. To avoid this mistake, do not rely solely on the ranked averages. You must use the net price calculator on each college's financial aid website. This tool uses your family's tax data to provide a personalized estimate of your actual out-of-pocket costs. ### Ignoring the impact of graduation rates on total debt Families often look at the high median earnings at schools like CUNY Bernard M Baruch College ($83,742) or Georgia Institute of Technology ($114,210) and assume every enrolling student reaches that financial finish line. However, these earnings statistics only represent students who actually graduate or remain enrolled ten years after entering. If a student drops out, they get none of the earnings premium but keep all the debt. While the colleges on this list must have a graduation rate of at least 60% to qualify, there is still a massive difference between a 60% graduation rate at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus and a 97% graduation rate at Princeton. According to studentaid.gov, dependent undergraduate students can borrow up to $27,000 in federal Direct Loans over four years. If a student enrolls at a university with a lower graduation rate, borrows the maximum limit, and leaves without a degree, they are in a far worse financial position than if they had attended a school with a higher net price but better graduation support. Always look at the graduation rate as a measure of risk. ### Overlooking the influence of majors on median earnings The median earnings of $152,553 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or $114,210 at Georgia Institute of Technology are heavily skewed by the types of degrees these institutions grant. These schools produce a high volume of computer science, engineering, and quantitative finance graduates. If an applicant attends Yale University, which has median earnings of $118,356, but majors in history or visual arts, their personal earnings ten years out will likely be lower than the university-wide median. The institution's brand name does not automatically guarantee the median salary. Before assuming a high-ranking school will yield a massive financial return, search the College Scorecard database for earnings by specific field of study. A student majoring in civil engineering at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($77,464 median overall) may earn more early in their career than a humanities major from an Ivy League university with a much higher overall median. ### Assuming regional salary differences do not matter The median earnings data does not adjust for local cost of living. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, Columbia University, and Yale University are located in high-cost metropolitan areas in the Northeast. California State University-Long Beach and Stanford University are in high-cost areas of California. Graduates from these schools often stay local, taking jobs in New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. The salaries in these cities are naturally higher to compensate for expensive housing and taxes. A median salary of $69,554 in Long Beach, California, may not go as far as a median salary of $63,660 in Tampa, Florida, where a graduate of the University of South Florida might choose to live. When comparing these earnings, factor in where the graduates actually get hired and what it costs to live in those regions. ## A planning timeline for using this list Using earnings-to-price ratios to guide your college search requires a systematic approach. You must move from broad national comparisons to the specific financial realities of your household. The following timeline outlines how to integrate this data into your decision-making process from the initial search phase through final enrollment. ### Summer before senior year: Filter and calculate Start by using the national benchmarks to ground your expectations. CollegesRef data shows that across all 1,408 published U.S. colleges with at least 2,000 students, the median average net price is $13,737, and the median graduate earnings ten years after entry are $52,768. Do not assume you will pay the average net price listed on this ranking. The average net price is a blended figure across all income brackets. It incorporates federal grants, such as the Maximum Federal Pell Grant of $7,395 for the 2026-27 award year, as well as institutional aid. 1. **Run the Net Price Calculator:** Visit the financial aid website for any college on this list that interests you. Search for their individual Net Price Calculator. Input your family's tax details to get a personalized estimate of your net cost. 2. **Compare by sector:** Keep sector differences in mind as you build your initial list. CollegesRef data shows that private nonprofit colleges have a median net price of $27,167 and median earnings of $69,656. Public colleges offer a lower median net price of $10,437, but also a lower median earnings figure of $49,461. 3. **Check graduation rates:** The colleges on this high-value list all graduate at least 60% of their students. If you look outside this list, check graduation rates carefully. For example, CollegesRef data shows that the graduation rate at Southern New Hampshire University is 42%, while the University of Phoenix-Arizona is 21%. A low graduation rate increases the risk of taking on debt without securing the earnings premium. ### Autumn of senior year: Align costs with borrowing limits As you finalize your application list and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), align the estimated net prices of your target schools with federal student loan limits. You must understand how much of the net price can be covered by student borrowing versus what your family must pay out of pocket. According to studentaid.gov, a dependent undergraduate can borrow a maximum of $5,500 in Direct Loans during their first year. This limit rises to $6,500 in the second year, and $7,500 in the third year and beyond. Over four years, a dependent student can borrow at most $27,000. If you are an independent student, studentaid.gov limits are higher: $9,500 in the first year, $10,500 in the second year, and $12,500 in the third year and beyond, with a $57,500 aggregate limit. If the personalized net price at a school like California State University-Fullerton ($5,115 average net price) or University of Florida ($5,969 average net price) is close to your first-year federal loan limit, you may be able to fund the tuition balance largely through student loans. If you are looking at a school with a higher net price, your family must identify other funding sources. For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS borrowing is capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 in total per dependent student. ### Spring of senior year: Compare actual aid offers When your admission letters and financial aid packages arrive, replace the statistical averages from this list with your actual financial aid award letters. 1. **Locate the net price line:** Find the "Estimated Cost of Attendance" on each award letter. Subtract all offered grants and scholarships. The remaining amount is your actual net price for that specific institution. 2. **Calculate your personal earnings-to-price ratio:** Divide the median graduate earnings for that college, which you can find in the table above, by your actual net price. For example, if you are admitted to Princeton University and your actual net price after grants is $7,815, your personal ratio matches the table's 17.1 to 1 ratio based on the $133,523 median earnings. If your actual net price is higher or lower, your personal ratio will shift. 3. **Assess the debt-to-earnings balance:** Ensure that your total projected debt upon graduation does not exceed your expected first-year salary. Using the median earnings ten years after entry as a conservative ceiling for early-career pay can help you avoid overborrowing. ## How this list was built This list includes published U.S. institutions with at least 2,000 students, a graduation rate of at least 60%, and reported median earnings and average net price. The earnings-to-price ratio is the one figure CollegesRef calculates: College Scorecard median earnings ten years after entry divided by the IPEDS average annual net price. Colleges are sorted by that ratio (highest first). Rates of 0% are treated as reporting gaps and excluded, and each college profile shows its own data year and last-verified date. ## Frequently asked questions ### How is the earnings-to-price ratio calculated? CollegesRef divides the College Scorecard median earnings of former students ten years after entry by the college's average annual net price after grants. A ratio of 4 to 1 means typical earnings are four times one year's average net price. It is a quick comparison, not a full return-on-investment model: it ignores loans, years to graduate, and major. ### Which college offers the best value by this measure? CUNY Bernard M Baruch College has the highest ratio on this list at 127.5 to 1. ### Will my net price match the average? Probably not. Average net price blends every income level. Families with lower incomes often pay less and higher-income families more, so run each college's net price calculator. ### Where does this data come from? All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS and College Scorecard datasets (most recent data year: 2025). Each college profile on CollegesRef lists its sources and last-verified date. ## Keep researching - [Colleges with the highest graduate earnings](https://www.collegesref.com/blog/colleges-with-the-highest-graduate-earnings) - [Public universities with the lowest out-of-state tuition](https://www.collegesref.com/blog/public-universities-with-the-lowest-out-of-state-tuition) - [How CollegesRef matches similar colleges](https://www.collegesref.com/methodology) ## Sources - U.S. Department of Education, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) - U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard --- Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/blog/best-value-colleges-earnings-vs-net-price. When citing a figure, include the data year stated next to it.