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As another university year begins, a new study ranked colleges across the US on the basis of how financially successful their graduates are – with top spots being taken by Ivy League schools.
The Wall Street Journal has compared a wide range of schools – large and small, public and private, technical and liberal-arts – to determine the one with the best college experience.
Rather than focusing on a university’s reputation or personal finances, the Journal judged ‘how much a school improves students’ chances of graduating and their future earnings, balancing these outcomes with feedback from students on college life’.
Here are the Top 10 US universities with the most financially successful students:
1. Princeton University
This New Jersey Ivy League University has ranked first for the second time in a row. With its incredible graduation rate and influential alumni network, Princeton has long been a favorite among prospective students.
This New Jersey Ivy League University has ranked first for the second time in a row. With its incredible graduation rate and influential alumni network, Princeton has long been a favorite among prospective students
Just months after arriving on campus, students can apply for a ‘Princeternship,’ a brief internship and job-shadowing opportunity over their first winter break.
Rose Weathers, a sophomore who interned at WestBridge Capital said: ‘I’ve reached out to a few alums in fields I’m interested in, and almost every single one has responded and agreed to meet with me.’
2. Babson College
Babson College, a well-known Massachusetts business college, has climbed up the ranking to second place – namely due to its emphasis on providing students with a hands-on university experience.
Babson College, a well known Massachusetts business college, has climbed up the ranking to second place
Mandatory classes such as Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship where students launch startups in groups during their first two semesters of college using a loan of up to $3,000 provided by the school have proven to be extremely popular.
Ethan Ide, a junior at Babso explained: ‘It is not a simulation. You’re working with international suppliers, and you have a website, and you’re selling to people across the globe. Getting that hands-on experience from day one was kind of insane.’
3. Stanford University
Despite not being an Ivy League, Stanford has long been the most sought out college for those wishing to pursue medicine, finance, business and law
Despite not being an Ivy League, this 150-year-old university has long been the most sought out college for those wishing to pursue medicine, finance, business and law.
Apart from this, graduate students at Stanford have produced groundbreaking research for years and the university is one of the most successful in bringing in funding for startups.
4. Yale University
Yale University is also one of the leading institutes of research in science and boasts one of the country’s best-performing arts and literature programs
Best known for its economics, political science, law and biology programs, this private Ivy League research university in Connecticut is one of the the third-oldest institution of higher education in the US.
Yale University is also one of the leading institutes of research in science and boasts one of the country’s best-performing arts and literature programs – making it a favorite amongst students of various interests.
5. Claremont McKenna College
Founded as a men’s college in 1946 and turned into coeducational in 1976, Claremont McKenna is one of the nation’s leading private liberal arts college.
Despite being a seven-college consortium, the college boasts itself on being able to provide job opportunities to nearly all its students.
Founded as a men’s college in 1946 and turned into coeducational in 1976, Claremont McKenna is one of the nation’s leading private liberal arts college
According to its website, over 90 percent of students complete internships and nearly half study off-campus during their four years.
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
One of the world’s leading technology-focused universities, MIT has long been known as a cutting-edge research institute.
One of the world’s leading technology-focused universities, MIT has long been known as a cutting-edge research institute
Its reputed alumni as well as faculty members have also majorly contributed towards helping students build industry specific skills and attain jobs.
The university notably earned a perfect 100 on its Salary Impact Score on the publication’s ranking.
7. Harvard University
Founded in 1636 as Harvard College, this private Ivy League research university is the oldest institute in the US
Founded in 1636 as Harvard College, this private Ivy League research university is the oldest institute in the US.
Known for its engineering, political science, psychology, mathematics and economics programs, the university provides innumerable real-life career-building opportunities with the help of its world-famous alumni members.
8. University of California, Berkeley
California’s first land-grant university, UC of Berkeley is known for its unique opportunities in many graduate programs including ecology, physics, sociology, and statistics
California’s first land-grant university, UC of Berkeley is known for its unique opportunities in many graduate programs including ecology, physics, sociology, and statistics.
Berkeley has long been the hub of liberal student activism, most notably the Free Speech Movement of 1964 and promotes top-quality research as well as public service.
9. Georgia Institute of Technology, Main Campus
The Georgia Institute of Technology, a public research university has cemented its place as one of the nation’s best engineering and computing schools.
The Georgia Institute of Technology, a public research university has cemented its place as one of the nation’s best engineering and computing schools
The Institute also offers outstanding programs in business, design, liberal arts, and sciences.
Ava Maalouf, a graduate from Georgia Tech earlier this year with a degree in chemical engineering revealed that she received four or five internship offers every year she was at Georgia Tech and recently had her pick of seven full-time job offers.
10. Davidson College
Established in 1837, Davidson prides itself on providing one-on-one advising and professionalization workshops while focusing on technical and soft-skill development
Established in 1837, Davidson prides itself on providing one-on-one advising and professionalization workshops while focusing on technical and soft-skill development.
Based in North Carolina, this college focuses on academic potential and accomplishments rather than a student’s ability to pay tuition.
