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Public colleges with the best return on investment
College students and graduates, and their families, owe a combined $1.6 trillion in student loans, according to federal data. About 17% of U.S. adults have outstanding student loan debt, averaging more than $35,000 per person. That level of debt has caused people to wonder if college is a sound investment.
Researchers at Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce say it is. A 2019 analysis found that workers with bachelor’s degrees make 80% more than workers with only a high school diploma. That study and a 2022 follow-up study found that some colleges have greater return on investment—the money spent on tuition and other expenses—than others.
To help future students make a more informed decision, the research team behind the studies ranked 4,500 colleges, determining the best financial options. To do this, the team used data collected by College Scorecard.
The study ranks schools by the net present value, a measure of the projected earnings of an investment against the anticipated costs, both in today’s dollars and taking into account discounting interest rates, to determine whether an investment is worth making. Colleges were then ranked by the highest 40-year return on investment, with ties broken by the 10-year return.
Stacker looked at the public colleges with the best return on investment, highlighting information like graduation rates, net price, and median debt. This story only considers…
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#50. Rutgers University-New Brunswick
– 40-year NPV: $1,389,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $65,661
– Net-price: $21,654
– Graduation rate: 82%
– Median debt: $19,000
#49. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,393,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $64,650
– Net-price: $14,595
– Graduation rate: 53%
– Median debt: $11,870
#48. University of Wisconsin-Madison
– 40-year NPV: $1,400,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $65,213
– Net-price: $17,708
– Graduation rate: 87%
– Median debt: $18,250
#47. George Mason University
– 40-year NPV: $1,402,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $66,148
– Net-price: $21,048
– Graduation rate: 70%
– Median debt: $16,000
#46. University of Rhode Island
– 40-year NPV: $1,403,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $66,484
– Net-price: $20,607
– Graduation rate: 68%
– Median debt: $17,750
#45. Purdue University-Main Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,415,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $65,257
– Net-price: $13,986
– Graduation rate: 81%
– Median debt: $15,162
#44. Texas A & M University-College Station
– 40-year NPV: $1,418,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $66,566
– Net-price: $19,057
– Graduation rate: 82%
– Median debt: $15,404
#43. Rutgers University-Newark
– 40-year NPV: $1,425,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $65,661
– Net-price: $14,109
– Graduation rate: 67%
– Median debt: $19,000
#42. University of Florida-Online
– 40-year NPV: $1,425,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $64,463
– Net-price: $7,492
– Graduation rate: Not available
– Median debt: $14,986
#41. University of California-Santa Barbara
– 40-year NPV: $1,427,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $66,491
– Net-price: $15,884
– Graduation rate: 83%
– Median debt: $12,500
#40. Rutgers University-Camden
– 40-year NPV: $1,428,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $65,661
– Net-price: $13,660
– Graduation rate: 61%
– Median debt: $19,000
#39. University of Florida
– 40-year NPV: $1,431,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $64,463
– Net-price: $6,302
– Graduation rate: 89%
– Median debt: $14,986
#38. Stony Brook University
– 40-year NPV: $1,436,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $66,678
– Net-price: $15,160
– Graduation rate: 75%
– Median debt: $15,000
#37. Citadel Military College of South Carolina
– 40-year NPV: $1,443,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $67,770
– Net-price: $18,548
– Graduation rate: 73%
– Median debt: $18,500
#36. University of Delaware
– 40-year NPV: $1,447,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $67,298
– Net-price: $17,220
– Graduation rate: 81%
– Median debt: $21,000
#35. The University of Texas at Austin
– 40-year NPV: $1,449,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $67,839
– Net-price: $18,023
– Graduation rate: 84%
– Median debt: $18,500
#34. Oregon Institute of Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,457,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $67,184
– Net-price: $16,210
– Graduation rate: 49%
– Median debt: $16,475
#33. San José State University
– 40-year NPV: $1,463,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $67,365
– Net-price: $14,928
– Graduation rate: 64%
– Median debt: $12,000
#32. University of Washington-Seattle Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,500,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $68,925
– Net-price: $13,297
– Graduation rate: 84%
– Median debt: $12,545
#30. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
– 40-year NPV: $1,509,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $67,136
– Net-price: $3,562
– Graduation rate: 69%
– Median debt: $9,500
#31. University of California-Davis
– 40-year NPV: $1,509,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $69,766
– Net-price: $14,669
– Graduation rate: 87%
– Median debt: $11,500
#29. University of Washington-Bothell Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,511,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $68,925
– Net-price: $11,060
– Graduation rate: 66%
– Median debt: $12,545
#28. University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,512,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $68,925
– Net-price: $10,817
– Graduation rate: 57%
– Median debt: $12,545
#27. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,521,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $71,287
– Net-price: $19,815
– Graduation rate: 49%
– Median debt: $20,500
#26. University of Connecticut
– 40-year NPV: $1,527,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $72,460
– Net-price: $22,012
– Graduation rate: 84%
– Median debt: $19,292
#25. University of Maryland-College Park
– 40-year NPV: $1,541,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $71,837
– Net-price: $19,045
– Graduation rate: 87%
– Median debt: $17,369
#24. Virginia Military Institute
– 40-year NPV: $1,544,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $71,910
– Net-price: $17,804
– Graduation rate: 79%
– Median debt: $17,674
#23. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
– 40-year NPV: $1,550,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $71,539
– Net-price: $15,880
– Graduation rate: 85%
– Median debt: $17,000
#22. University of California-Irvine
– 40-year NPV: $1,551,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $71,961
– Net-price: $14,783
– Graduation rate: 84%
– Median debt: $14,390
#21. Binghamton University
– 40-year NPV: $1,557,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $72,980
– Net-price: $19,353
– Graduation rate: 82%
– Median debt: $15,000
#20. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
– 40-year NPV: $1,559,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $73,159
– Net-price: $21,198
– Graduation rate: 85%
– Median debt: $19,500
#19. Maine Maritime Academy
– 40-year NPV: $1,571,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $72,837
– Net-price: $23,239
– Graduation rate: 73%
– Median debt: $24,250
#18. University of Connecticut-Stamford
– 40-year NPV: $1,576,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $72,460
– Net-price: $11,982
– Graduation rate: 66%
– Median debt: $19,292
#17. University of Connecticut-Avery Point
– 40-year NPV: $1,585,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $72,460
– Net-price: $9,981
– Graduation rate: 59%
– Median debt: $19,292
#16. University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,594,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $72,460
– Net-price: $8,046
– Graduation rate: 64%
– Median debt: $19,292
#15. Michigan Technological University
– 40-year NPV: $1,595,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $73,541
– Net-price: $16,463
– Graduation rate: 69%
– Median debt: $20,164
#14. University of California-Los Angeles
– 40-year NPV: $1,597,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $73,744
– Net-price: $14,279
– Graduation rate: 91%
– Median debt: $14,035
#13. University of California-San Diego
– 40-year NPV: $1,622,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $74,771
– Net-price: $14,232
– Graduation rate: 87%
– Median debt: $14,988
#12. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
– 40-year NPV: $1,646,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $75,842
– Net-price: $15,336
– Graduation rate: 93%
– Median debt: $16,633
#11. University of Virginia-Main Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,649,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $77,048
– Net-price: $20,397
– Graduation rate: 94%
– Median debt: $15,711
#10. New Jersey Institute of Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,717,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $80,043
– Net-price: $19,706
– Graduation rate: 66%
– Median debt: $17,500
#9. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
– 40-year NPV: $1,730,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $80,643
– Net-price: $21,595
– Graduation rate: 82%
– Median debt: $16,500
#8. Missouri University of Science and Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,749,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $80,289
– Net-price: $14,262
– Graduation rate: 64%
– Median debt: $18,500
#7. University of California-Berkeley
– 40-year NPV: $1,752,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $80,364
– Net-price: $15,329
– Graduation rate: 92%
– Median debt: $12,390
#6. SUNY Maritime College
– 40-year NPV: $1,832,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $84,443
– Net-price: $20,616
– Graduation rate: 71%
– Median debt: $18,250
#5. United States Merchant Marine Academy
– 40-year NPV: $1,880,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $83,209
– Net-price: $6,433
– Graduation rate: 82%
– Median debt: $7,000
#4. Colorado School of Mines
– 40-year NPV: $1,922,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $90,060
– Net-price: $26,750
– Graduation rate: 82%
– Median debt: $19,500
#3. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,947,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $88,196
– Net-price: $14,739
– Graduation rate: 89%
– Median debt: $20,250
#2. Massachusetts Maritime Academy
– 40-year NPV: $1,971,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $91,668
– Net-price: $20,485
– Graduation rate: 75%
– Median debt: $23,099
#1. California State University Maritime Academy
– 40-year NPV: $1,977,000
– Median earnings after 10 years: $91,461
– Net-price: $20,597
– Graduation rate: 64%
– Median debt: $19,500
Additional writing by Jeff Inglis. Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.
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#50. San José State University
– 40-year NPV: $1,195,000
– 10-year NPV: $144,000
– Graduation rate: 59%
– Median debt: $12,866
San José State University began as a teacher’s college in 1857, but is now known as the largest provider of business graduates and entry-level engineers to Silicon Valley in Southern California. For in-state students, tuition is capped at $5,742 a year, making this school a much more affordable option than the neighboring private universities.
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#49. Citadel Military College of South Carolina
– 40-year NPV: $1,197,000
– 10-year NPV: $133,000
– Graduation rate: 71%
– Median debt: $17,959
Each of Citadel Military College of South Carolina’s undergraduate students, who hail from 45 states and 12 countries, is required to complete an ROTC course each semester, though they are not required to accept or apply for a formal commission. Twenty-eight majors, ranging from nursing to computer engineering to political science, are available at the military school, whose student body is primarily composed of bachelor’s degree students (2,300 strong). The college has been acknowledged as one of the best schools in the South, offering incredibly high-quality education
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#48. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical
– 40-year NPV: $1,197,000
– 10-year NPV: $140,000
– Graduation rate: 47%
– Median debt: $13,076
The largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region, the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz Medical includes two nationally-ranked hospitals that treat a combined 2 million patients each year. With more than 40 highly-rated degree programs in medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacology, the campus serves approximately 4,500 students. Some of the most highly-rated doctors and nurse practitioners lead the Anschutz Medical faculty, ensuring that students in all specialties are receiving a top-notch education and mentorship.
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#47. College of New Jersey
– 40-year NPV: $1,202,000
– 10-year NPV: $106,000
– Graduation rate: 87%
– Median debt: $21,195
With the seventh-highest four-year graduation rate in the country out of all public universities, the College of New Jersey is committed to ensuring students earn a degree without getting buried under years of student loan debt. Over 400 employers actively recruit on campus each year, looking for top performers in all of the school’s 50 majors, from art history to biomedical engineering to early childhood education. The highly-selective school has been ranked as one of the best values for student’s money in the northeastern state, implying that a good amount of graduates find gainful employment upon graduation.
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#46. University of Florida
– 40-year NPV: $1,202,000
– 10-year NPV: $153,000
– Graduation rate: 88%
– Median debt: $15,000
Located in Gainesville, the University of Florida is deeply connected to the surrounding community, in fact, 70% of graduates obtain employment or have plans to obtain employment in the state. Many of these students begin their adult lives in the Sunshine State without the added weight of student debt, as 56% of graduates carry no student loans. Another thing that makes the University of Florida stand out is its combined degrees, which allow students to finish with both a bachelor’s and master’s, while saving almost $9,000 in tuition.
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#45. University of Baltimore
– 40-year NPV: $1,209,000
– 10-year NPV: $122,000
– Graduation rate: 35%
– Median debt: $15,750
The University of Baltimore caters to non-traditional students who require more flexibility to complete their degrees. Over 70 programs are available through the college, from pre-law to cybersecurity, offered in all types of formats, from online to night classes, for a surprisingly low cost ($3,500 a semester for in-state students), considering the expertise of the faculty.
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#44. Rutgers University-New Brunswick
– 40-year NPV: $1,210,000
– 10-year NPV: $125,000
– Graduation rate: 80%
– Median debt: $19,500
If the goal of college is to land a high-paying career, then Rutgers University-New Brunswick has it all figured out. The school’s career services department does an outstanding job, connecting with 72% of students, assisting some 3,500 of these students in securing a job interview, and helping 83% of them land their first-choice career. Students who choose to study any one of the school’s hundreds of majors stand a good chance of earning a return on their investment fairly quickly after graduation.
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#43. University of Florida-Online
– 40-year NPV: $1,211,000
– 10-year NPV: $161,000
– Graduation rate: NA
– Median debt: $15,000
While many online programs are regarded as less rigorous or reputable than in-person programs, the University of Florida-Online is not one of them. Saving students nearly 40% of total tuition costs, the classes are taught by the same renowned professors that lead the programs at various University of Florida campuses. The public university option is adding more and more courses each year, meaning that soon enough, students will have upward of 30 different degree programs to choose from.
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#42. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,212,000
– 10-year NPV: $153,000
– Graduation rate: 49%
– Median debt: $18,251
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is best known for its science and engineering programs, as well as the overall high-quality STEM education it offers. Graduates of the small school fare well in the real world: 97% of graduates in 2018 went on to land a job in their chosen field or earned a place at a leading graduate school. A degree from the university has a national appeal—over 235 employers in 38 states hired Mines grads, offering an average starting salary of $63,354.
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#41. University of Delaware
– 40-year NPV: $1,214,000
– 10-year NPV: $146,000
– Graduation rate: 82%
– Median debt: $21,250
Another one of the oldest public universities in the nation, the University of Delaware can trace its history back to 1743, when it opened its doors in Newark, Delaware, with a mission to educate the local clergy. Today, the public research university has expanded well beyond religious education, boasting nine colleges that offer 150 fields of study. The school focuses on producing well-rounded, worldly students, and an estimated 30% study abroad while at UD, trusting the country’s oldest study abroad program to give them a global perspective on their chosen course of study.
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#40. Oregon Institute of Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,221,000
– 10-year NPV: $160,000
– Graduation rate: 46%
– Median debt: $15,500
The only polytechnic university in Oregon, Oregon Institute of Technology is focused on giving students the type of hands-on STEM education they need to thrive in the growing fields of technology, engineering, health sciences, and natural sciences. Rather than filling its 5,400 students’ heads with useless trivia, Oregon Tech places a huge emphasis on real-world skills. This approach to education pays off, as 96% of graduates find employment or grad school acceptance in six months, with an average starting salary of $60,000 per year.
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#39. Texas A & M University-College Station
– 40-year NPV: $1,222,000
– 10-year NPV: $135,000
– Graduation rate: 81%
– Median debt: $15,500
Texas A & M University-College Station is located in the dead center of the Houston-Dallas-Austin triangle, the most heavily-populated area of the state. Its proximity to these major cities gives its students unique internship and career opportunities, and close to many of its 500,000 alumni who provide invaluable mentorship and connections. Offering 133 undergraduate programs and over 250 graduate programs, the school produces more Fortune 500 CEOs than any other school in the country.
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#38. University of Connecticut
– 40-year NPV: $1,223,000
– 10-year NPV: $129,000
– Graduation rate: 83%
– Median debt: $18,750
Founded in 1881, the University of Connecticut is a land, sea, and space-grant public research university with over 32,000 students enrolled. While it’s far from one of the cheapest schools on our list, costing out-of-state students over $50,000 a year, UConn doles out $509 million in financial aid each year, $213 million in scholarships alone. After graduation, 81.9% of Huskies find themselves in a full-time position, with a median salary of $58,000 per year, or pursuing an advanced degree.
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#37. Stony Brook University
– 40-year NPV: $1,224,000
– 10-year NPV: $145,000
– Graduation rate: 72%
– Median debt: $15,646
Sitting 60 miles east of New York City, Stony Brook University is located on the North Shore of Long Island, where 25,500 students head to class each day just three miles from the beach. The SUNY school offers more than 60 majors, including popular options like health science, computer science, and political science. These in-demand fields help 94% of graduates find relevant work or grad school placement.
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#36. College of William and Mary
– 40-year NPV: $1,227,000
– 10-year NPV: $131,000
– Graduation rate: 92%
– Median debt: $17,248
Classified as one of eight “Public Ivy” universities, the College of William and Mary offers a world-class education at a price that’s supremely affordable ($17,000 for in-state students and $40,000 for out-of-state students) when compared to private Ivy League schools like Yale and Harvard. Chartered in 1693, William and Mary is the second-oldest higher learning institution in the country, and can boast three presidents among its 100,000 alumni. 83.4% of graduates reported full-time work or graduate school acceptance upon leaving William and Mary, indicating that the school’s name alone has a significant pull.
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#35. University of California-Davis
– 40-year NPV: $1,229,000
– 10-year NPV: $138,000
– Graduation rate: 85%
– Median debt: $12,334
The University of California-Davis has 39,000 students enrolled in its 203 undergraduate and graduate programs. Of these students, 52% of bachelor’s degree holders finished with no student debt and 58% of California residents had all of their tuition covered by gift aid. Those who do graduate with debt have no need to worry, though, as the average starting salary of UC Davis alumni is reported to be $56,300, with the average mid-career salary reaching $94,600.
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#34. University of Texas at Austin
– 40-year NPV: $1,233,000
– 10-year NPV: $142,000
– Graduation rate: 82%
– Median debt: $20,366
The leading research university in the great state of Texas, the University of Texas at Austin attracts $650 million each year to its research programs, many of which are available to undergraduate students. Founded in 1883, UT Austin currently has over 51,000 students from all 50 states enrolled in its 18 colleges and schools. In its long history, the school has educated some of the nation’s brightest minds, including 112 Fulbright scholars, 31 Rhodes scholars, and 23 Marshall scholars, demonstrating the strength of its various programs.
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#33. University of Washington-Seattle Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,243,000
– 10-year NPV: $162,000
– Graduation rate: 84%
– Median debt: $13,000
In 2018, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Center for World-Class Universities ranked the University of Washington 14th in the world for academic strength. With more than 54,000 students enrolled in hundreds of majors each year, the university is certainly a large one. However, just because the school is big, that doesn’t mean individual students get lost in the shuffle—in fact, the average time to graduate for Huskies is four years, and 81% of freshmen graduate within six years, the best rate in the state.
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#32. University of California-Irvine
– 40-year NPV: $1,244,000
– 10-year NPV: $150,000
– Graduation rate: 86%
– Median debt: $15,000
The New York Times called the University of California-Irvine “the number one school in the country doing the most for the American dream,” meaning it ensures its students aren’t just coming from the 1%, but from all economic levels and backgrounds. If that doesn’t speak highly enough about the 37,000 student-strong school, maybe this will: UC Irvine has a 93% one-year retention rate and an 83% graduation rate over six years. Graduates will join the nearly 200,000 former alumni who work in medicine, education, law, and biomedical engineering, among other fields.
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#31. Rutgers University-Newark
– 40-year NPV: $1,244,000
– 10-year NPV: $159,000
– Graduation rate: 67%
– Median debt: $19,500
One of Rutgers University’s three campuses, the Newark campus joined New Jersey’s public research institution in 1946. Since then, the school has offered more than 40 majors to its 13,600 students. For the past 23 years, the school has been recognized as having the most diverse student body in the nation, indicating their commitment to ensuring students of all backgrounds have access, both financially and physically, to life-changing higher education.
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#30. Rutgers University-Camden
– 40-year NPV: $1,244,000
– 10-year NPV: $159,000
– Graduation rate: 59%
– Median debt: $19,500
The final Rutgers University campus, Camden was the last campus to join the public research institution, in 1950, as well as the smallest campus with only 7,100 students. However, that doesn’t mean the quality of education is lesser than any of its sister schools—in fact, 99% of the faculty, who teach all 38 undergraduate majors, have earned the highest degree available in their field. The excellent education doesn’t come at a bank-breaking cost, either: The average student is awarded $15,853 in financial aid.
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#29. George Mason University
– 40-year NPV: $1,255,000
– 10-year NPV: $133,000
– Graduation rate: 70%
– Median debt: $15,994
Located in Fairfax, Virginia, George Mason University has a total enrollment of 37,000 students in 211 degree programs. Sixty percent of those students receive financial aid to help with costs, and 80% find employment within six months of graduation, which allows them to pay back any outstanding debt at a relatively quick rate.
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#28. University of Washington-Bothell Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,258,000
– 10-year NPV: $176,000
– Graduation rate: 65%
– Median debt: $13,000
Students at the Bothell campus of the University of Washington can earn a fully-credited UW degree in one of 55 different programs. Thanks to the lower cost of the regional campus and the generous financial assistance it offers, 61% of them are able to do it without accruing any debt. This is particularly impressive when you consider that 40% of the 2019 freshman class would be the first in their families to earn a college degree, and therefore often coming from families who lack the economic ability to pay the student’s way through.
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#27. University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,263,000
– 10-year NPV: $182,000
– Graduation rate: 59%
– Median debt: $13,000
The third and final University of Washington campus, the Tacoma campus is an urban-serving university with more than 5,000 students in attendance. Because of its location, many students transfer to the school after first completing two years at a local community college. The rigorous education opportunities and the financial aid opportunities (in 2017–2018 UW Tacoma handed out over $50.1 million in assistance) are the major draws for students who decide to complete their degrees here.
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#26. University of Connecticut-Avery Point
– 40-year NPV: $1,276,000
– 10-year NPV: $182,000
– Graduation rate: 58%
– Median debt: $18,750
A sea-grant institution, the University of Connecticut-Avery Point is surrounded by water on three sides, a perfect fit for a school whose mission is to contribute to the understanding and solution of problems that stem from the intersection of people and the ocean. The most popular majors at Avery Point are maritime studies and marine science, but hundreds of students each year also choose to begin one of UConn’s 110 other majors here before transferring to a larger campus. For out-of-state students, the campus is a cheaper option than the school’s main campuses, making this a budget-friendly route to obtaining a UConn degree.
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#25. University of California-San Diego
– 40-year NPV: $1,277,000
– 10-year NPV: $155,000
– Graduation rate: 86%
– Median debt: $16,400
Of the 130 undergraduate majors offered at the University of California-San Diego, the most popular by far is biology, followed by mathematics, economics, computer science & engineering, and chemistry. These STEM programs are top of the line, taught by 164 faculty members who are also National Academy members, Nobel Prize winners, and National Medal of Science winners. UC San Diego students can feel confident that they’re investing in a high-quality education at a school whose reputation will take them far.
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#24. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
– 40-year NPV: $1,280,000
– 10-year NPV: $208,000
– Graduation rate: 68%
– Median debt: $8,437
Located in the heart of New York City, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College has been recognized for its support of the social and financial mobility of students who come from low-income backgrounds. This accomplishment makes perfect sense when you consider the college’s location. Baruch’s 18,600 students are a stone’s throw from some of the best internships and most-prestigious companies in the country, an undeniable advantage, especially when you consider the 150,000 alumni who can help recent graduates land roles in these institutions.
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#23. University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,283,000
– 10-year NPV: $189,000
– Graduation rate: 58%
– Median debt: $18,750
The majority of students at the Waterbury campus at the University of Connecticut complete their first two years here before transferring to the institution’s main campus in Storrs to finish their degree. A select number of students elect to complete the entirety of their program at Waterbury, which offers nine bachelor’s degrees, thanks to its cheaper cost of tuition (on par with UConn Avery Point) and smaller class size. Located in a smaller community, many Waterbury students also find it easier to land resume-padding internships and job shadowing opportunities.
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#22. University of Connecticut-Stamford
– 40-year NPV: $1,288,000
– 10-year NPV: $193,000
– Graduation rate: 61%
– Median debt: $18,750
The University of Connecticut-Stamford offers bachelor’s degrees in 10 different fields of study, including digital media design, economics, and political science, as well as four master’s degrees. Its location allows students to pursue internships, field placements, and jobs with some of the most-recognizable companies in the country, including several Fortune 500 companies, investment institutions, and nonprofit organizations. These connections allow alumni to land stable jobs that allow them to quickly pay off the relatively small about of student debt they carry after graduation.
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#21. University of Virginia-Main Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,291,000
– 10-year NPV: $144,000
– Graduation rate: 94%
– Median debt: $16,500
Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. A highly-competitive institution, UVA only accepts students based on academic merit (90% of students come from the top 10% of their classes), covers 100% of their demonstrated financial need, and goes to great lengths to reduce the level of debt all new alumni carry upon graduation. Incoming students don’t need to worry about money or about reaching the finish line, as 89% of students finish in four years, and 94% complete their programs in six years.
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#20. Binghamton University
– 40-year NPV: $1,298,000
– 10-year NPV: $143,000
– Graduation rate: 83%
– Median debt: $16,750
Binghamton University, home to 13,800 undergraduate students, is located in upstate New York and offers several nationally-ranked programs, including accounting and computer engineering. More than 1,800 employers, like Apple, IBM, Disney, and Google, are drawn to the school’s excellent reputation and return yearly to recruit new seniors. On average, Binghamton graduates enjoy higher starting salaries than the national average—around $57,871 per year.
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#19. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
– 40-year NPV: $1,299,000
– 10-year NPV: $146,000
– Graduation rate: 85%
– Median debt: $17,750
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was founded in 1867 and has spent the past 150 years earning its reputation as a leader in education, research, and public engagement. One way it continually demonstrates its leadership among public universities is through the success of its students, 89% of whom find full-time employment or earn grad school acceptance within six months of graduation. Illinois also goes above and beyond to ensure that this type of success is available to everyone, by guaranteeing free tuition and fees for in-state students whose families make under $61,000 a year, and funding education of other low-income students through the Illinois Promise program.
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#18. University of California-Los Angeles
– 40-year NPV: $1,300,000
– 10-year NPV: $162,000
– Graduation rate: 91%
– Median debt: $14,544
The most applied-to university in the country, the University of California-Los Angeles received 100,000 freshman applications in 2020. While UCLA offers more than 125 undergraduate majors, it’s the doctoral programs that really stand apart, as 40 of them rank among the top 10 in the country in their respective fields. UCLA isn’t cheap by any means, but students have hope for financial aid (more than half receive some help from the school), and the reputation of the school and connections it provides go a long way in making the investment well worth it.
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#17. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
– 40-year NPV: $1,313,000
– 10-year NPV: $142,000
– Graduation rate: 84%
– Median debt: $21,110
The main campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, offers 110 undergraduate majors, and educates 34,440 students in an average class size of 14 students per faculty member. Architecture, education, agriculture & forestry, and electrical engineering are among the school’s top-ranked programs. Graduation rates at Virginia Tech are on the rise, with 83.4% of students finishing their programs within six years (as of 2009).
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#16. University of Maryland-College Park
– 40-year NPV: $1,330,000
– 10-year NPV: $151,000
– Graduation rate: 86%
– Median debt: $16,500
The University of Maryland-College Park campus is nestled just outside of Washington D.C. and is home to more than 41,000 students. The public college offers 90 majors across 12 colleges, for the low yearly tuition of $10,778 for in-state residents and $36,890 for out-of-state-residents. The economic cost, as well as the reach of the 352,000 strong alumni body, makes this school an excellent choice for Maryland students.
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#15. Augusta University
– 40-year NPV: $1,360,000
– 10-year NPV: $192,000
– Graduation rate: 27%
– Median debt: $11,869
Augusta University is Georgia’s health, sciences, and medical college, a classification it bears proudly. Of the 9,274 total students enrolled in the school, the vast majority are in one of these fields, although Agusta does offer other liberal arts majors like elementary education and graphic design. Tuition is incredibly low, ranging between $3,446 and $14,189 per year, making it affordable even without the assistance of financial aid.
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#14. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
– 40-year NPV: $1,364,000
– 10-year NPV: $176,000
– Graduation rate: 91%
– Median debt: $18,148
Crowned the best public university in the United States by QS World University Rankings, the University of Michigan retains 97% of its freshman and graduates 92% of them within six years. Of those graduates, two out of three receive financial aid—in total, the school gave away $634.6 million in scholarships and fellowships during the 2018–2019 school year. Undergraduate education isn’t the only area the university excels in, either: in 2019, 102 of its graduate programs were in the top 10 in the country in their respective fields.
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#13. Virginia Military Institute
– 40-year NPV: $1,375,000
– 10-year NPV: $143,000
– Graduation rate: 77%
– Median debt: $19,500
The oldest state-supported military college in the United States, Virginia Military Institute prepares its civilian soldiers for military and civilian leadership. The school demands a high level of achievement in all 14 of its majors but rewards hard work with financial assistance, which is typically granted to over 83% of students. In all, 79% of students who begin their education at VMI graduate from the school within six years.
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#12. University of California-Berkeley
– 40-year NPV: $1,383,000
– 10-year NPV: $170,000
– Graduation rate: 91%
– Median debt: $12,643
U.S. News & World Report crowned the University of California-Berkeley the #1 public university in the world, thanks to its small class sizes (17.8:1), high-quality offerings (over 350 degree programs), decorated faculty, and budget-conscious tuition. To that last point, Berkeley graduates finish with less debt, on average, than students at any other California State University, $18,225 at UC Berkeley vs. $22,585 everywhere else.
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#11. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
– 40-year NPV: $1,413,000
– 10-year NPV: $160,000
– Graduation rate: 79%
– Median debt: $16,500
Sandwiched between San Francisco and Los Angeles, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was founded in 1901. Its most popular majors are business administration, mechanical engineering, and biological sciences, a full year of which cost in-state students a mere $9,000. The campus has excellent retention and six-year graduation rates, at 93% and 79% respectively.
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#10. Michigan Technological University
– 40-year NPV: $1,430,000
– 10-year NPV: $185,000
– Graduation rate: 67%
– Median debt: $19,500
From the start, Michigan Technological University is concerned about students’ budgets, standing apart as one of a small number of schools in the country that doesn’t require an application fee from prospective students. From there, it keeps tuition costs as low as possible, $16,130 for in-state residents, while still imparting a high-quality education. Finally, the school sets its students up for incredible career success, enabling them to land jobs where the average mid-career salary is $101,000.
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#9. New Jersey Institute of Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,453,000
– 10-year NPV: $169,000
– Graduation rate: 62%
– Median debt: $18,250
The New Jersey Institute of Technology is the only public polytechnic university in the East Coast state, offering 125 undergraduate and graduate programs to its 11,400 students. More than 70% of these students receive scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid from the school, averaging about $17,063 per student.
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#8. Missouri University of Science and Technology
– 40-year NPV: $1,548,000
– 10-year NPV: $213,000
– Graduation rate: 64%
– Median debt: $16,998
The third-best engineering college in the United States according to USA Today, Missouri University of Science and Technology offers 99 undergraduate degree programs in total. Its strength in STEM is really what qualifies it as such a good return on investment, as these fields command the highest starting salaries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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#7. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
– 40-year NPV: $1,729,000
– 10-year NPV: $246,000
– Graduation rate: 86%
– Median debt: $21,500
More than 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students are currently receiving a technologically-focused education at Georgia Institute of Technology. Home to six colleges, Georgia Tech offers 44 undergraduate majors, many of which are nationally-ranked. The cost of tuition for in-state students is as low as $10,258, and $31,370 for out of state students.
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#6. SUNY Maritime College
– 40-year NPV: $1,761,000
– 10-year NPV: $210,000
– Graduation rate: 60%
– Median debt: $20,000
Concentrated on creating leaders in the global marine transportation industry, SUNY Maritime College only offers 11 undergraduate majors. Located just 30 minutes from the heart of Manhattan, the school also offers four U.S. Coast Guard License programs and several ROTC options. With average class sizes of 21 students, attendees get enough individual attention that well over half (66%) are able to graduate within 150% of their program length.
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#5. Colorado School of Mines
– 40-year NPV: $1,794,000
– 10-year NPV: $203,000
– Graduation rate: 77%
– Median debt: $21,915
Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines has a student body of 5,900, who flock to the school to study engineering and applied science. Of the 80.5% of students who graduate from Mines, 95% were working in their chosen industry or pursuing higher education. On average, recent grads earn a starting salary of $69,375 with their bachelor’s degrees.
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#4. California State University Maritime Academy
– 40-year NPV: $1,818,000
– 10-year NPV: $265,000
– Graduation rate: 63%
– Median debt: $20,500
One of the most specialized schools in the California State University system, California State University Maritime Academy educates 1,051 students in marine engineering technology, marine transportation, mechanical engineering, oceanography, facilities engineering technology, and maritime affairs. The only degree-granting maritime academy on the west coast, CalState Maritime requires all students to study abroad and hold at least one summer internship. These obligations serve students well, as 92% are employed in their chosen field within three months of graduation, many earning beyond $70,000 in their first position.
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#3. Massachusetts Maritime Academy
– 40-year NPV: $1,869,000
– 10-year NPV: $246,000
– Graduation rate: 75%
– Median debt: $23,250
Located on Cape Cod, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy offers eight undergraduate degrees in a highly-regimented setting. While the strict environment may not suit every applicant, those who make it through the academy fare well, with 10% going into military service and the rest finding employment in their field within 90 days of graduation. Tuition is incredibly low for Massachusetts residents, at $1,890, and not much higher for New England regional students, at $7,130.
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#2. United States Merchant Marine Academy
– 40-year NPV: $1,949,000
– 10-year NPV: $298,000
– Graduation rate: 78%
– Median debt: $6,500
A federal service academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy is a highly-selective university that equips graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree, a U.S. Coast Guard License, and an officer’s commission in the U.S. Armed Forces. Rather than pay tuition, Midshipmen must repay the U.S. government (which covers all tuition and room & board costs) with either five years of active duty in a branch of the armed forces, or five years in the U.S. Maritime industry as well as eight years as an officer in the reserve forces of a branch of the armed forces. Even if a graduate chooses to take another career path after completing their obligation, their time in the service prepares them for almost every industry under the sun.
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#1. Maine Maritime Academy
– 40-year NPV: $2,043,000
– 10-year NPV: $251,000
– Graduation rate: 66%
– Median debt: $27,000
Finally, the Maine Maritime Academy has been declared the public college with the best return on investment by the study. The smallest student body on our list, only 950 individuals are currently enrolled, studying engineering, management, science, and transportation. Retention and graduation rates are well above average at the academy, as is the job placement rate, with over 90% of students landing a full-time role within 90 days after graduation.
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Stacker looked at the public colleges with the best return on investment, using Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce study.
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