Find a Job You Really Want In
While college is often a journey of personal discovery, its primary goal remains securing a well-paying job. However, not all institutions yield the same results. The choice of college, much like one’s field of study, significantly influences future earning potential. Some colleges prepare their students for lucrative careers, while others leave them grappling with debt and uncertain job prospects. We analyzed the latest data to identify the public college in each state that boasts the highest graduate earnings.
Before diving into state-specific information, let’s take a look at the top 10 colleges where graduates earn the most:
The 10 Public Colleges Where Graduates Earn The Most
- Maryland – University of Maryland Baltimore
- Georgia – Georgia Institute of Technology
- Virginia – University of Virginia
- California – University of California-Berkeley
- Michigan – University of Michigan
- Texas – The University of Texas at Austin
- Illinois – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- New Jersey – New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Washington – University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- North Carolina – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduates from these top institutions earn between $68,800 and $114,200 annually.
If your state isn’t featured in the top 10, scroll to the end for information on the public college with the best earning potential in your area. Now, let’s delve into how we determined which public colleges lead in graduate earnings.
How We Determined The Highest Paying Public Universities
Utilizing the latest College Scorecard data, we identified the public institutions within each state that boast the highest average earnings for graduates ten years post-enrollment.
This metric reflects the average income of alumni after a decade in the workforce, allowing ample time for further education and career advancement. Our analysis focused solely on public four-year universities that primarily grant bachelor’s degrees, excluding private and community colleges.
Continue reading for a detailed overview of the top 10 states, followed by a comprehensive list of each state’s leading institution:
Maryland – University of Maryland Baltimore
Average Earnings: $114,200
The University of Maryland Baltimore tops the list with an impressive average graduate income of $114,200, significantly outpacing other public institutions.
Georgia – Georgia Institute of Technology
Average Earnings: $85,900
For those seeking a warm climate and a lucrative career, Georgia Tech is an excellent choice. As a leading research university with a robust engineering program, its graduates earn an average of $85,900.
Virginia – University of Virginia
Average Earnings: $79,400
Located in Charlottesville, the University of Virginia benefits from a thriving job market, ensuring graduates can quickly achieve an average salary of $79,400.
California – University of California – Berkeley
Average Earnings: $79,000
The University of California, Berkeley, the flagship university of the UC system, ranks highly among public colleges, boasting an average graduate income of $79,000.
Michigan – University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Average Earnings: $79,000
Graduates from the University of Michigan earn an average of $79,000 a decade after enrollment, benefiting from a prestigious reputation in research and fields like biomedical science and engineering.
Texas – The University of Texas at Austin
Average Earnings: $73,900
Graduates from the University of Texas at Austin earn the highest average salary among Texas public universities, averaging $73,900, and benefit from excellent job market connections.
Illinois- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Average Earnings: $70,900
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers its graduates an average salary of $70,900, ranking it among the top public universities in Illinois.
New Jersey – New Jersey Institute of Technology
Average Earnings: $70,300
The New Jersey Institute of Technology, located in Newark, boasts an average income of $70,300 for graduates, particularly known for its strong emphasis on STEM fields.
Washington – University of Washington – Seattle
Average Earnings: $69,600
The University of Washington, situated in Seattle’s thriving tech hub, provides its graduates with an average salary of $69,600, particularly well-regarded for computer science and engineering programs.
North Carolina – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Average Earnings: $68,800
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers excellent career prospects with an average graduate salary of $68,800, reflecting its strong academic programs.
Final Thoughts on the Best Public University for Graduate Earnings in Each State
Your choice of college is pivotal in shaping your career trajectory. Although no institution can guarantee employment or a specific salary, some colleges provide superior job placement opportunities and extensive alumni networks, enhancing graduates’ chances of success.
However, remember that your college choice is just one factor. Your individual work ethic, perseverance, and major selection also significantly influence your lifetime earnings. All the colleges highlighted here have demonstrated a commitment to preparing their graduates for prosperous futures.
The Public College in Each State with the Highest Graduate Earnings
| State | College | Average Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Auburn University | $56,300 |
| Alaska | University of Alaska Anchorage | $51,200 |
| Arizona | University of Arizona | $56,000 |
| Arkansas | University of Arkansas | $52,700 |
| California | University of California-Berkeley | $79,000 |
| Colorado | University of Colorado Boulder | $59,700 |
| Connecticut | University of Connecticut | $66,000 |
| Delaware | University of Delaware | $64,000 |
| Florida | University of Florida | $65,700 |
| Georgia | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | $85,900 |
| Hawaii | University of Hawaii at Manoa | $51,800 |
| Idaho | University of Idaho | $47,000 |
| Illinois | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | $70,900 |
| Indiana | Purdue University-Main Campus | $62,200 |
| Iowa | University of Iowa | $62,000 |
| Kansas | University of Kansas | $59,300 |
| Kentucky | University of Kentucky | $54,000 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Tech University | $49,200 |
| Maine | University of Maine | $48,300 |
| Maryland | University of Maryland Baltimore | $114,200 |
| Massachusetts | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | $57,700 |
| Michigan | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $79,000 |
| Minnesota | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $61,200 |
| Mississippi | University of Mississippi | $56,600 |
| Missouri | University of Missouri-Kansas City | $57,200 |
| Montana | Montana Technological University | $52,100 |
| Nebraska | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | $52,700 |
| Nevada | University of Nevada-Reno | $56,300 |
| New Hampshire | University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | $57,700 |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Institute of Technology | $70,300 |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | $58,500 |
| New York | Binghamton University | $68,100 |
| North Carolina | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $68,800 |
| North Dakota | University of North Dakota | $57,800 |
| Ohio | Miami University-Hamilton | $55,400 |
| Oklahoma | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | $61,900 |
| Oregon | Oregon Institute of Technology | $57,800 |
| Pennsylvania | University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | $61,200 |
| Rhode Island | University of Rhode Island | $58,400 |
| South Carolina | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $59,600 |
| South Dakota | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | $62,400 |
| Tennessee | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $56,700 |
| Texas | The University of Texas at Austin | $73,900 |
| Utah | University of Utah | $63,500 |
| Vermont | University of Vermont | $55,200 |
| Virginia | University of Virginia-Main Campus | $79,400 |
| Washington | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $69,600 |
| West Virginia | West Virginia University Institute of Technology | $52,700 |
| Wisconsin | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $68,000 |
| Wyoming | University of Wyoming | $54,200 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
