Party schools whose grads go on to earn the most money

Written by:
July 19, 2018
Canva

30 party schools whose grads go on to earn the most money

While most parents would like to think their child's time in college is reduced to hitting the books, attending networking events, and taking classes that challenge and expand their perspectives on the world, many students see university not only as an opportunity for academic growth, but also a chance to develop social and emotional maturity.

Certain institutions of higher learning are famous for their vibrant social environments, to the point they have become known colloquially as "party schools." While these universities may get a bad rep, especially with the older generation, there can be many benefits to attending such an institution. Not only do students report having created lasting friendships, important social skills, and essential time management techniques, but they also go on to have successful careers for the most part, and the data supports it.

Using Niche's 2018 Top Party Schools in America, Stacker analyzed the 30 top party schools where graduates go on to earn the most money. Niche takes a handful of factors into account when comparing party schools: A student survey on their school's party scene (70%); the proximity and availability of bars (10%); athletics (7.5%); Greek life (7.5%); and access to restaurants (5%). We narrowed Niche's list to the top 100 party schools and ranked the top 30 institutions with the highest-median income six years after graduation.

Read on to see where America's future leaders build the foundation for a fulfilling career, while also having fun.

RELATED: College majors that go on to earn the most money 

#30. University of California - Santa Barbara

Location: Santa Barbara, California
Median income six years after graduation: $52,500 per year
Party school rank: 37
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 90%

#29. University of Florida

Location: Gainesville, Florida
Median income six years after graduation: $53,100 per year
Party school rank: 17
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 92%

#28. University of Denver

Location: Denver, Colorado 
Median income six years after graduation: $53,800 per year
Party school rank: 75
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 91%

#27. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Median income six years after graduation: $54,100 per year
Party school rank: 44
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#26. University of Wisconsin

Location: Madison, Wisconsin 
Median income six years after graduation: $54,200 per year
Party school rank: 13
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 95%

#25. University of Washington

Location: Seattle, Washington
Median income six years after graduation: $54,800 per year
Party school rank: 84
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 90%

#24. University of Texas - Austin

Location: Austin, Texas
Median income six years after graduation: $54,900 per year
Party school rank: 7
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#23. University of Delaware

Location: Newark, Delaware
Median income six years after graduation: $55,100 per year
Party school rank: 35
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 96%

#22. Texas A&M University

Location: College Station, Texas
Median income six years after graduation: $55,500 per year
Party school rank: 80
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 95%

#21. Tulane University

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Median income six years after graduation: $56,200 per year
Party school rank: 1
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 91%

#20. Rutgers University – New Brunswick

Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
Median income six years after graduation: $56,400 per year
Party school rank: 46
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 91%

#19. Southern Methodist University

Location: Dallas, Texas
Median income six years after graduation: $57,300 per year
Party school rank: 14
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#18. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Location: Champaign, Illinois
Median income six years after graduation: $57,600 per year
Party school rank: 10
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 94%

#17. University of Miami

Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Median income six years after graduation: $57,800 per year
Party school rank: 19
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 91%

#16. Syracuse University

Location: Syracuse, New York
Median income six years after graduation: $58,400 per year
Party school rank: 27
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 94%

#15. University of California - Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles, California
Median income six years after graduation: $58,700 per year
Party school rank: 61
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 88%

#14. New York University

Location: New York, New York
Median income six years after graduation: $59,600 per year
Party school rank: 47
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 91%

#13. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Median income six years after graduation: $60,100 per year
Party school rank: 22
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#12. Virginia Tech

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Median income six years after graduation: $60,500 per year
Party school rank: 92
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 96%

#11. Providence College

Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Median income six years after graduation: $60,700 per year
Party school rank: 51
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 96%

#10. University of Virginia

Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Median income six years after graduation: $60,700 per year
Party school rank: 25
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#9. Colgate University

Location: Hamilton, NY
Median income six years after graduation: $61,300 per year
Party school rank: 90
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#8. University of Maryland - College Park

Location: College Park, Maryland
Median income six years after graduation: $61,700 per year
Party school rank: 41
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#7. Vanderbilt University

Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Median income six years after graduation: $64,500 per year
Party school rank: 30
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#6. George Washington University

Location: Washington, D.C.
Median income six years after graduation: $67,100 per year
Party school rank: 52
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 91%

#5. University of Southern California

Location: Los Angeles, California
Median income six years after graduation: $70,400 per year
Party school rank: 34
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 93%

#4. Lehigh University

Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Median income six years after graduation: $77,200 per year
Party school rank: 39
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 96%

#3. University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Median income six years after graduation: $82,400 per year
Party school rank: 28
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 91%

#2. Stevens Institute of Technology

Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Median income six years after graduation: $87,300 per year
Party school rank: 66
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 94%

#1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Median income six years after graduation: $94,200 per year
Party school rank: 98
Percentage of students employed two years after graduation: 92%

Trending Now