College ROI Rankings
Purely data-driven rankings. No reputation scoring, no subjectivity. Every ranking is based on quantifiable financial outcomes from Department of Education data.
The 10 Best ROI Colleges Right Now
Highest return on investment of the 1,665 U.S. colleges we score: what graduates earn ten years after enrolling, against what families actually pay after aid.
- 1Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MANet price$20,111/yrMedian earnings$143,37299ROI
- 2Stanford UniversityStanford, CANet price$13,807/yrMedian earnings$124,08099ROI
- 3University of ChicagoChicago, ILNet price$14,860/yrMedian earnings$91,88598ROI
- 4Rice UniversityHouston, TXNet price$13,370/yrMedian earnings$89,71898ROI
- 5University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CANet price$13,481/yrMedian earnings$92,44697ROI
- 6Yale UniversityNew Haven, CTNet price$23,777/yrMedian earnings$100,53397ROI
- 7Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GANet price$12,116/yrMedian earnings$102,77297ROI
- 8University of Notre DameNotre Dame, INNet price$26,780/yrMedian earnings$99,98097ROI
- 9Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PANet price$31,944/yrMedian earnings$114,86297ROI
- 10University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PANet price$28,699/yrMedian earnings$111,37197ROI
Core Rankings
Best ROI: Large Schools
Top big universities (over 20,000 students)
50 schools ranked
Best ROI Overall
Top 50 schools by total ROI score
50 schools ranked
Best ROI: Private Universities
Top private schools by financial return
50 schools ranked
Best ROI: Public Universities
Top public schools by financial return
50 schools ranked
Best ROI: Small Schools
Top small schools (under 5,000 students)
50 schools ranked
Best ROI: Under $20K/Year
Best value for net price under $20,000
50 schools ranked
Best ROI: Under $30K/Year
Best value for net price under $30,000
50 schools ranked
Fastest-Payback Colleges
Where the degree pays for itself soonest
50 schools ranked
Lowest-Debt Colleges
Strong value, least borrowing at graduation
50 schools ranked
Worst ROI
Schools with the weakest financial returns
50 schools ranked
Most Underrated
High ROI + low brand recognition
Hidden gems the data reveals
Best ROI by State
Best ROI by Major
Browse All 1,665 Schools
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