These Are The Junior Colleges With The Highest Earning Graduates In Each State

Top Junior Colleges with the Highest Earning Graduates in Each State (2026)

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Choosing the right college is a pivotal decision for prospective students. Factors such as graduation rates, academic reputation, campus facilities, location, and student amenities all play crucial roles in this choice. However, the most significant consideration often boils down to the financial return on investment of a college education, specifically, the salaries graduates can expect to earn.

In light of this, we analyzed which colleges in the U.S. yield the highest earnings for their alumni. Utilizing data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), we compiled a list showcasing the top junior college in each state based on graduate earnings.

Check out our top ten colleges below:

Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health
Cochran School of Nursing
Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Highlands College of Montana Tech
Lamar Institute of Technology
Riverside School of Health Careers
Carolinas College of Health Sciences

Methodology

We utilized data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to identify the junior college in each state offering the highest average earnings for graduates. Our analysis focused on median earnings at six and ten years post-graduation, allowing for a broader perspective on alumni success. By averaging these figures, we ranked each state’s leading institution for graduate earnings.

Does your state make the top ten? Read on for the full list.

1. Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health

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Average Earnings: $80,700
Location: Los Angeles, CA
College Description: A community college in Los Angeles County, this institution provides valuable educational opportunities in the healthcare sector. With an impressive average earning of $80,700 for alumni, it ranks first on our list.

2. Cochran School of Nursing

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Average Earnings: $79,800
Location: Yonkers, NY
College Description: Established in 1894, Cochran School of Nursing is part of St. John’s Riverside Hospital. The institution’s strong emphasis on student support is reflected in its alumni’s average earnings of $79,800.

3. Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing

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Average Earnings: $63,450
Location: Medford, MA
College Description: Located in Medford, MA, this nursing school is affiliated with Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Graduates earn an average of $63,450, showcasing the school’s commitment to quality education.

4. Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

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Average Earnings: $52,200
Location: West Mifflin, PA
College Description: This aviation technology school offers a range of courses in aviation design and maintenance. Graduates achieve average earnings of $52,200, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in the aerospace industry.

5. Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions

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Average Earnings: $49,800
Location: Lewiston, ME
College Description: This institution focuses on both healthcare and interpersonal skills, preparing students for success with an average earning of $49,800 post-graduation.

6. Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences

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Average Earnings: $48,750
Location: Cape Girardeau, MO
College Description: This college educates healthcare professionals across various specializations, emphasizing professional development, with alumni earning an average of $48,750.

7. Highlands College of Montana Tech

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Average Earnings: $46,800
Location: Butte, MT
College Description: A small, picturesque college offering degrees in business, health, and trades, Highlands College graduates earn an average of $46,800.

8. Lamar Institute of Technology

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Average Earnings: $46,600
Location: Beaumont, TX
College Description: Focused on equipping students with essential skills, Lamar Institute provides diverse programs, resulting in average earnings of $46,600 for its graduates.

9. Riverside School of Health Careers

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Average Earnings: $45,450
Location: Newport News, VA
College Description: Founded as a community hospital in the early 1900s, Riverside offers healthcare education with alumni earning an average of $45,450.

10. Carolinas College of Health Sciences

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Average Earnings: $45,250
Location: Charlotte, NC
College Description: With access to extensive hospital resources, Carolinas College provides education for various healthcare professions, resulting in average earnings of $45,250.

Conclusion

The full list of colleges with the highest earning graduates can be found below. If you’re a recent graduate seeking employment opportunities, consider exploring resources on how to effectively present your experiences to potential employers.

For more articles and insights like this, check out our guide on the best tech companies to work for in Austin, TX.

Ranking	Institute Name	City	State Abbr.	Median Earnings 10 Years	Median Earnings 6 Years	Average Earnings
1	Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health	Los Angeles	CA	$82,400	$79,000	$80,700
2	Cochran School of Nursing	Yonkers	NY	$87,200	$72,400	$79,800
3	Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing	Medford	MA	$63,300	$63,600	$63,450
4	Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics	West Mifflin	PA	$56,800	$47,600	$52,200
5	Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions	Lewiston	ME	$53,200	$46,400	$49,800
6	Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences	Cape Girardeau	MO	$45,900	$51,600	$48,750
7	Highlands College of Montana Tech	Butte	MT	$51,600	$42,000	$46,800
8	Lamar Institute of Technology	Beaumont	TX	$57,000	$36,200	$46,600
9	Riverside School of Health Careers	Newport News	VA	$47,000	$43,900	$45,450
10	Carolinas College of Health Sciences	Charlotte	NC	$47,400	$43,100	$45,250
11	Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture	Curtis	NE	$49,800	$37,300	$43,550
12	St Joseph School of Nursing	Nashua	NH	$43,400	$42,900	$43,150
13	Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute	Wooster	OH	$48,600	$37,500	$43,050
14	North Dakota State College of Science	Wahpeton	ND	$46,200	$38,900	$42,550
15	Marion Military Institute	Marion	AL	$53,000	$30,300	$41,650
16	Northwest Iowa Community College	Sheldon	IA	$41,800	$40,200	$41,000
17	Chandler-Gilbert Community College	Chandler	AZ	$45,600	$34,900	$40,250
18	Mitchell Technical Institute	Mitchell	SD	$42,400	$37,800	$40,100
19	Shoreline Community College	Shoreline	WA	$44,900	$35,200	$40,050
20	Morrison Institute of Technology	Morrison	IL	$43,800	$35,600	$39,700
21	Montgomery College	Rockville	MD	$44,400	$33,600	$39,000
22	Colorado Northwestern Community College	Rangely	CO	$43,600	$34,200	$38,900
23	Manhattan Area Technical College	Manhattan	KS	$39,500	$38,000	$38,750
24	Inver Hills Community College	Inver Grove Heights	MN	$41,500	$36,000	$38,750
25	AVTEC-Alaska’s Institute of Technology	Seward	AK	$41,400	$35,900	$38,650
26	County College of Morris	Randolph	NJ	$42,900	$32,600	$37,750
27	New Mexico Military Institute	Roswell	NM	$41,900	$31,900	$36,900
28	Salt Lake Community College	Salt Lake City	UT	$41,200	$32,000	$36,600
29	Kapiolani Community College	Honolulu	HI	$39,000	$33,900	$36,450
30	SOWELA Technical Community College	Lake Charles	LA	$35,800	$36,400	$36,100
31	Casper College	Casper	WY	$38,900	$32,500	$35,700
32	Redlands Community College	El Reno	OK	$39,600	$31,400	$35,500
33	Waukesha County Technical College	Pewaukee	WI	$39,600	$30,900	$35,250
34	Naugatuck Valley Community College	Waterbury	CT	$37,600	$31,100	$34,350
35	Tillamook Bay Community College	Tillamook	OR	$37,700	$30,700	$34,200
36	Truckee Meadows Community College	Reno	NV	$37,200	$30,800	$34,000
37	Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton/Wilmington	Wilmington	DE	$36,500	$31,400	$33,950
38	Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations	West Palm Beach	FL	$33,600	$32,600	$33,100
39	NorthWest Arkansas Community College	Bentonville	AR	$36,100	$29,900	$33,000
40	Gwinnett Technical College	Lawrenceville	GA	$37,500	$28,100	$32,800
41	University of South Carolina-Sumter	Sumter	SC	$34,900	$27,800	$31,350
42	Schoolcraft College	Livonia	MI	$34,600	$27,700	$31,150
43	Volunteer State Community College	Gallatin	TN	$32,400	$27,900	$30,150
44	Pearl River Community College	Poplarville	MS	$33,300	$26,600	$29,950
45	Community College of Rhode Island	Warwick	RI	$33,400	$26,500	$29,950
46	North Idaho College	Coeur d’Alene	ID	$32,500	$26,800	$29,650
47	Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College	Bowling Green	KY	$31,200	$27,800	$29,500
48	Ivy Tech Community College	Indianapolis	IN	$30,900	$27,300	$29,100
49	Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College	Mount Gay	WV	$30,600	$25,300	$27,950
50	Community College of Vermont	Winooski	VT	$28,400	$24,900	$26,650

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Author

Ryan Morris

Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.

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