Colleges with high acceptance rates whose graduates earn the most
College admissions time is an annual crossroads moment for high school seniors. There are still many eager students entering the higher education system, despite turmoil in the job market as AI replaces entry-level jobs and an uncertain economy.
Compared to last year, the Common Application estimates that more students will apply for colleges and cast a wider net by applying to more schools. It's also predicted that there will be more applicants from low-income neighborhoods.
Higher education in the U.S. has been under the microscope in recent years, with vacillating plans for federal student loan forgiveness and the federal government's divestment in research, in addition to more young people choosing to work in trade professions for job security and lower tuition payments.
But for students who are still applying, what do they want from their school? The long-held desire to get into a "good school" was often judged by its low acceptance rate. Though those rates are misleading, they neglect the fact that some schools may have a lower proportion of qualified applicants. The credibility of major degree programs, class sizes, and location are also often main considerations.
Students now may be wise to consider colleges' return on investment, indicating the average salary after graduation. Which schools fall into the sweet spot of high ROI and are not overly competitive?
To find out, Stacker analyzed Department of Education data to see which colleges have the highest acceptance rates and produce the highest-earning graduates.
