These 10 Colleges And Universities See Graduates With Higher Wages Over A Decade Later

When it comes time to apply to colleges, many students and parents wonder if the investment will be worth it for them. Georgetown University released a report ranking 4,500 colleges and universities in the U.S. by their return on investment (ROI).

Georgetown's research looks at the overall ROI from a variety of degree options, focuses, schools, and even breaks the decision down to different time intervals for ROI, from 10 years after graduation to 40 years post-grad. The website allows those evaluating colleges and universities to look up these schools by name to see where they rank in different categories.

When shortening the time frame to 10 years post-grad, few of those with high net present value (NPV) after 40 years make the 10-year list. Only two of the schools in the top 10 for this shorter NPV time period are bachelor's degree earning institutions, and most are not name recognizable.

In the top 10 for NPV one decade post-grad are Putnam Westchester BOCES-Practical Nursing Program, Greater Lowell Technical School, Southern Westchester BOCES-Practical Nursing Program, Veeb Nassau County School of Practical Nursing, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rockland County BOCES- Practical Nursing Program, Delaware County Technical School-Practical Nursing Program, Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, and Ocean Corporation.

In the top 10 for ROI 40 years post-grad are four-year colleges and universities (eight are private). Graduating with degrees from six out the top 10 yields an NPV of $2 million or more after 40 years. Many of the colleges and universities listed in the top 10 for NPV after 40 years rank significantly lower when looking at NPV 10 years after graduation.

Those in the top 10 for NPV 40 years post-grad are Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Maine Maritime Academy, Babson College, Harvard University, Georgetown University, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

The research found that overall 60% of those who make the choice to attend college and graduate make more money than those who only have a high school degree. It also found that private colleges and universities have on average a higher ROI than public colleges 40 years after enrollment.

Forty years after enrollment, those who attend four-year liberal arts institutions have an ROI of $918,000, which is on par with engineering and technology schools ($917,000) and business and management schools ($913,000). Research also found that the ROI for liberal arts colleges is $200,000 higher than the average ROI for all colleges.

For those who obtain two-year credentials or go to community colleges, the short-term benefit 10 years after graduation is higher than those who get full bachelor's degrees from public and private universities. Eventually, those who get bachelor's degrees, overtake two-year degrees or community college in the long term.