National rankings · 2019
Rankings by Degree Level
The same Field-of-Study program pool, sliced by credential. Earnings distributions are very different across credential levels — comparing a Bachelor's program against a Master's program rewards credential, not curriculum. Each section ranks programs within its level. Tables exclude programs at institutions with fewer than 1,000 undergrads.
Credential bucket
Undergraduate Certificate
Top 10 Highest Undergraduate Certificate · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Highest median earnings 5y after completion, restricted to programs at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Penn | PA | — | $224.4k |
| 2 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Penn | PA | — | $163.3k |
| 3 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Cabrillo College | CA | — | $135.7k |
| 4 | Economics | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Davidson | NC | — | $124.4k |
| 5 | Economics | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | NYU | NY | — | $123.7k |
| 6 | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | MS | 47 | $118.1k |
| 7 | Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | UGA | GA | 208 | $117.3k |
| 8 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | UGA | GA | 106 | $113.1k |
| 9 | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Great Basin College | NV | 58 | $113.1k |
| 10 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Purdue University Global | IN | 3 | $109.2k |
Top 10 Lowest Undergraduate Certificate · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Lowest median earnings 5y after completion at this credential level — often programs whose graduates pursued additional schooling.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health and Physical Education/Fitness | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon | PR | 14 | $7.8k |
| 2 | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Columbia Central University-Caguas | PR | 19 | $8.6k |
| 3 | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | NUC University | PR | 9 | $10.3k |
| 4 | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | San Diego City College | CA | 14 | $11.5k |
| 5 | Teaching Assistants/Aides | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus | PR | 8 | $12.7k |
| 6 | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Southeastern Technical College | GA | 32 | $12.7k |
| 7 | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | East Mississippi Community College | MS | 36 | $13.0k |
| 8 | Teaching Assistants/Aides | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus | PR | 37 | $13.8k |
| 9 | Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lake Superior College | MN | 14 | $13.8k |
| 10 | Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | South Florida Institute of Technology | FL | 202 | $14.2k |
Top 10 Lowest Undergraduate Certificate · Median debt at completion (USD)What this meansMedian federal-student-loan debt of completers at graduation, reported by College Scorecard. Excludes private and parent loans. Lower values can indicate generous aid, lower published prices, or a high share of completers who used federal loans sparingly.
Lowest median federal student-loan debt at completion, at this credential level.
Top 10 Highest Undergraduate Certificate · Cumulative completers · 4-year (degrees awarded)What this meansIPEDSCOUNT2 — the rolling four-year sum of degrees awarded in this CIP × credential, matched to the cohort whose earnings are reported in College Scorecard FoS. Larger programs have more reliable downstream-earnings signals.
Largest 4-year cumulative completer cohorts at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Cumulative completers · 4-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Ivy Tech Community College | IN | 4,843 | 4,843 |
| 2 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Valencia College | FL | 4,620 | 4,620 |
| 3 | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Santa Monica College | CA | 3,496 | 3,496 |
| 4 | Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Sinclair Community College | OH | 3,442 | 3,442 |
| 5 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Miami Dade College | FL | 3,250 | 3,250 |
| 6 | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Central New Mexico Community College | NM | 2,933 | 2,933 |
| 7 | Finance and Financial Management Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | American College of Financial Services | PA | 2,660 | 2,660 |
| 8 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Ivy Tech Community College | IN | 2,607 | 2,607 |
| 9 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Broward College | FL | 2,491 | 2,491 |
| 10 | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Saddleback College | CA | 2,242 | 2,242 |
Credential bucket
Associate's Degree
Top 10 Highest Associate's Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Highest median earnings 5y after completion, restricted to programs at this credential level.
Top 10 Lowest Associate's Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Lowest median earnings 5y after completion at this credential level — often programs whose graduates pursued additional schooling.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | Associate's Degree | Washtenaw Community College | MI | 11 | $11.6k |
| 2 | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate's Degree | Riverside City College | CA | 14 | $12.6k |
| 3 | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate's Degree | Los Angeles Trade Technical College | CA | 11 | $13.2k |
| 4 | Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Associate's Degree | Community College of Philadelphia | PA | 11 | $13.6k |
| 5 | Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | Associate's Degree | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Juan | PR | 1 | $14.1k |
| 6 | Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Associate's Degree | Saint Paul College | MN | 2 | $14.7k |
| 7 | Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate's Degree | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus | PR | 24 | $15.2k |
| 8 | Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate's Degree | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus | PR | 30 | $15.6k |
| 9 | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate's Degree | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus | PR | 23 | $16.0k |
| 10 | Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate's Degree | NUC University | PR | 87 | $16.2k |
Top 10 Lowest Associate's Degree · Median debt at completion (USD)What this meansMedian federal-student-loan debt of completers at graduation, reported by College Scorecard. Excludes private and parent loans. Lower values can indicate generous aid, lower published prices, or a high share of completers who used federal loans sparingly.
Lowest median federal student-loan debt at completion, at this credential level.
Top 10 Highest Associate's Degree · Cumulative completers · 4-year (degrees awarded)What this meansIPEDSCOUNT2 — the rolling four-year sum of degrees awarded in this CIP × credential, matched to the cohort whose earnings are reported in College Scorecard FoS. Larger programs have more reliable downstream-earnings signals.
Largest 4-year cumulative completer cohorts at this credential level.
Credential bucket
Bachelor's Degree
Top 10 Highest Bachelor's Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Highest median earnings 5y after completion, restricted to programs at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | Bachelor's Degree | Penn | PA | 156 | $298.0k |
| 2 | Computer Science | Bachelor's Degree | Brown | RI | 213 | $271.6k |
| 3 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | Bachelor's Degree | Yale | CT | 96 | $271.5k |
| 4 | Computer Science | Bachelor's Degree | Carnegie Mellon | PA | 247 | $251.6k |
| 5 | Computer Science | Bachelor's Degree | Stanford | CA | 260 | $247.8k |
| 6 | Computer Engineering | Bachelor's Degree | Princeton | NJ | — | $243.8k |
| 7 | Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's Degree | Penn | PA | 353 | $242.4k |
| 8 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | Bachelor's Degree | UC Berkeley | CA | 516 | $240.5k |
| 9 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | Bachelor's Degree | Caltech | CA | — | $232.9k |
| 10 | Statistics | Bachelor's Degree | Harvard | MA | 49 | $229.8k |
Top 10 Lowest Bachelor's Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Lowest median earnings 5y after completion at this credential level — often programs whose graduates pursued additional schooling.
Top 10 Lowest Bachelor's Degree · Median debt at completion (USD)What this meansMedian federal-student-loan debt of completers at graduation, reported by College Scorecard. Excludes private and parent loans. Lower values can indicate generous aid, lower published prices, or a high share of completers who used federal loans sparingly.
Lowest median federal student-loan debt at completion, at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median debt at completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engineering, General | Bachelor's Degree | USC | CA | — | $2.8k |
| 2 | Mathematics | Bachelor's Degree | USC | CA | 25 | $2.8k |
| 3 | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Bachelor's Degree | USC | CA | — | $3.0k |
| 4 | Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | Bachelor's Degree | USC | CA | 31 | $3.0k |
| 5 | English Language and Literature, General | Bachelor's Degree | USC | CA | 19 | $3.5k |
| 6 | Computer Software and Media Applications | Bachelor's Degree | Atlantic University | PR | 130 | $4.0k |
| 7 | Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Bachelor's Degree | University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo | PR | 37 | $4.5k |
| 8 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's Degree | University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo | PR | 77 | $4.5k |
| 9 | Biology, General | Bachelor's Degree | USC | CA | 70 | $4.6k |
| 10 | Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's Degree | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce | PR | 69 | $5.0k |
Top 10 Highest Bachelor's Degree · Cumulative completers · 4-year (degrees awarded)What this meansIPEDSCOUNT2 — the rolling four-year sum of degrees awarded in this CIP × credential, matched to the cohort whose earnings are reported in College Scorecard FoS. Larger programs have more reliable downstream-earnings signals.
Largest 4-year cumulative completer cohorts at this credential level.
Credential bucket
Master's Degree
Top 10 Highest Master's Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Highest median earnings 5y after completion, restricted to programs at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance and Financial Management Services | Master's Degree | Penn | PA | 303 | $384.5k |
| 2 | Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | Master's Degree | Ohio State | OH | 3 | $352.5k |
| 3 | International Business | Master's Degree | Duke | NC | 85 | $346.3k |
| 4 | Computer Science | Master's Degree | Stanford | CA | 332 | $331.7k |
| 5 | Health and Medical Administrative Services | Master's Degree | Penn | PA | 102 | $313.6k |
| 6 | Dentistry | Master's Degree | Ohio State | OH | — | $312.5k |
| 7 | Computer Science | Master's Degree | UC San Diego | CA | 308 | $301.2k |
| 8 | Real Estate | Master's Degree | Penn | PA | 26 | $295.2k |
| 9 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Master's Degree | Texas A&M | TX | 17 | $288.9k |
| 10 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | Master's Degree | UCLA | CA | — | $287.4k |
Top 10 Lowest Master's Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Lowest median earnings 5y after completion at this credential level — often programs whose graduates pursued additional schooling.
Top 10 Lowest Master's Degree · Median debt at completion (USD)What this meansMedian federal-student-loan debt of completers at graduation, reported by College Scorecard. Excludes private and parent loans. Lower values can indicate generous aid, lower published prices, or a high share of completers who used federal loans sparingly.
Lowest median federal student-loan debt at completion, at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median debt at completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's Degree | University of Pikeville | KY | — | $4.9k |
| 2 | Special Education and Teaching | Master's Degree | Morningside University | IA | 95 | $5.6k |
| 3 | Education, Other | Master's Degree | Rhode Island College | RI | 17 | $6.0k |
| 4 | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Master's Degree | Northwestern College | IA | 30 | $6.9k |
| 5 | Education, Other | Master's Degree | Morningside University | IA | — | $7.4k |
| 6 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's Degree | Northwestern College | IA | 63 | $7.5k |
| 7 | Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | Master's Degree | Western Governors University | UT | 483 | $7.9k |
| 8 | Educational/Instructional Media Design | Master's Degree | Western Governors University | UT | 2,099 | $8.0k |
| 9 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's Degree | Miami University-Oxford | OH | 39 | $9.0k |
| 10 | Accounting and Related Services | Master's Degree | Missouri State University-Springfield | MO | 34 | $9.0k |
Top 10 Highest Master's Degree · Cumulative completers · 4-year (degrees awarded)What this meansIPEDSCOUNT2 — the rolling four-year sum of degrees awarded in this CIP × credential, matched to the cohort whose earnings are reported in College Scorecard FoS. Larger programs have more reliable downstream-earnings signals.
Largest 4-year cumulative completer cohorts at this credential level.
Credential bucket
Doctoral Degree
Top 10 Highest Doctoral Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Highest median earnings 5y after completion, restricted to programs at this credential level.
Top 10 Lowest Doctoral Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Lowest median earnings 5y after completion at this credential level — often programs whose graduates pursued additional schooling.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems | Doctoral Degree | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus | PR | — | $27.1k |
| 2 | Music | Doctoral Degree | University of Miami | FL | 27 | $32.4k |
| 3 | Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Doctoral Degree | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce | PR | 37 | $39.4k |
| 4 | Music | Doctoral Degree | UW | WA | 16 | $39.8k |
| 5 | Music | Doctoral Degree | UT Austin | TX | 36 | $42.0k |
| 6 | Music | Doctoral Degree | FSU | FL | 40 | $42.6k |
| 7 | Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Doctoral Degree | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro | PR | 1 | $45.6k |
| 8 | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Doctoral Degree | Nova Southeastern University | FL | 3 | $46.3k |
| 9 | Music | Doctoral Degree | Stony Brook | NY | 45 | $46.9k |
| 10 | Music | Doctoral Degree | ASU | AZ | 39 | $46.9k |
Top 10 Lowest Doctoral Degree · Median debt at completion (USD)What this meansMedian federal-student-loan debt of completers at graduation, reported by College Scorecard. Excludes private and parent loans. Lower values can indicate generous aid, lower published prices, or a high share of completers who used federal loans sparingly.
Lowest median federal student-loan debt at completion, at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median debt at completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Doctoral Degree | National Louis University | IL | 54 | $12.6k |
| 2 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Doctoral Degree | Ashford University | CA | 17 | $17.3k |
| 3 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Doctoral Degree | UMass Lowell | MA | 26 | $19.8k |
| 4 | Human Resources Management and Services | Doctoral Degree | Ashford University | CA | 33 | $20.5k |
| 5 | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Doctoral Degree | Indiana State University | IN | — | $25.4k |
| 6 | Education, General | Doctoral Degree | Harvard | MA | 30 | $25.5k |
| 7 | Theological and Ministerial Studies | Doctoral Degree | Duke | NC | 6 | $25.6k |
| 8 | Education, General | Doctoral Degree | San Diego State | CA | 6 | $25.7k |
| 9 | Psychology, General | Doctoral Degree | NC State | NC | 25 | $26.3k |
| 10 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Doctoral Degree | Clemson | SC | 9 | $27.4k |
Top 10 Highest Doctoral Degree · Cumulative completers · 4-year (degrees awarded)What this meansIPEDSCOUNT2 — the rolling four-year sum of degrees awarded in this CIP × credential, matched to the cohort whose earnings are reported in College Scorecard FoS. Larger programs have more reliable downstream-earnings signals.
Largest 4-year cumulative completer cohorts at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Cumulative completers · 4-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Doctoral Degree | Grand Canyon University | AZ | 368 | 368 |
| 2 | Education, General | Doctoral Degree | Walden University | MN | 361 | 361 |
| 3 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Doctoral Degree | USC | CA | 303 | 303 |
| 4 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Doctoral Degree | Walden University | MN | 296 | 296 |
| 5 | Education, General | Doctoral Degree | Nova Southeastern University | FL | 291 | 291 |
| 6 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Doctoral Degree | Grand Canyon University | AZ | 268 | 268 |
| 7 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Doctoral Degree | Liberty | VA | 213 | 213 |
| 8 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Doctoral Degree | Capella University | MN | 195 | 195 |
| 9 | Social Work | Doctoral Degree | USC | CA | 193 | 193 |
| 10 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Doctoral Degree | Walden University | MN | 191 | 191 |
Credential bucket
First-Professional Degree
Top 10 Highest First-Professional Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Highest median earnings 5y after completion, restricted to programs at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law | First Professional Degree | Columbia | NY | 460 | $332.8k |
| 2 | Business/Commerce, General | First Professional Degree | Northwestern | IL | — | $318.4k |
| 3 | Law | First Professional Degree | UChicago | IL | 212 | $308.4k |
| 4 | Law | First Professional Degree | Penn | PA | 256 | $290.5k |
| 5 | Law | First Professional Degree | Stanford | CA | 184 | $289.2k |
| 6 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | First Professional Degree | Harvard | MA | — | $283.8k |
| 7 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | First Professional Degree | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | CO | — | $281.5k |
| 8 | Medicine | First Professional Degree | University of Pikeville | KY | 139 | $273.3k |
| 9 | Law | First Professional Degree | Northwestern | IL | 296 | $256.9k |
| 10 | Law | First Professional Degree | Harvard | MA | 594 | $250.6k |
Top 10 Lowest First-Professional Degree · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Lowest median earnings 5y after completion at this credential level — often programs whose graduates pursued additional schooling.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theological and Ministerial Studies | First Professional Degree | Oral Roberts University | OK | — | $40.5k |
| 2 | Law | First Professional Degree | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce | PR | 81 | $41.1k |
| 3 | English Language and Literature, General | First Professional Degree | Pitt | PA | — | $42.2k |
| 4 | Law | First Professional Degree | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro | PR | — | $49.7k |
| 5 | Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | First Professional Degree | Walden University | MN | — | $50.1k |
| 6 | Theological and Ministerial Studies | First Professional Degree | Virginia Union University | VA | — | $50.3k |
| 7 | Educational Administration and Supervision | First Professional Degree | Pitt | PA | 31 | $54.0k |
| 8 | Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | First Professional Degree | Capella University | MN | — | $55.0k |
| 9 | Social Work | First Professional Degree | Pitt | PA | — | $56.0k |
| 10 | Student Counseling and Personnel Services | First Professional Degree | Capella University | MN | — | $57.3k |
Top 10 Lowest First-Professional Degree · Median debt at completion (USD)What this meansMedian federal-student-loan debt of completers at graduation, reported by College Scorecard. Excludes private and parent loans. Lower values can indicate generous aid, lower published prices, or a high share of completers who used federal loans sparingly.
Lowest median federal student-loan debt at completion, at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median debt at completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Educational Administration and Supervision | First Professional Degree | Minnesota State University Moorhead | MN | — | $17.1k |
| 2 | Business/Commerce, General | First Professional Degree | Notre Dame | IN | — | $20.5k |
| 3 | Curriculum and Instruction | First Professional Degree | Lincoln Memorial University | TN | — | $20.5k |
| 4 | Educational Administration and Supervision | First Professional Degree | Lincoln Memorial University | TN | — | $20.5k |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering | First Professional Degree | UC Berkeley | CA | — | $24.2k |
| 6 | Theological and Ministerial Studies | First Professional Degree | BU | MA | — | $25.0k |
| 7 | Accounting and Related Services | First Professional Degree | Notre Dame | IN | — | $25.5k |
| 8 | Education, General | First Professional Degree | Pitt | PA | 10 | $27.2k |
| 9 | Curriculum and Instruction | First Professional Degree | Piedmont University | GA | — | $27.3k |
| 10 | Educational Administration and Supervision | First Professional Degree | Appalachian State University | NC | — | $27.4k |
Top 10 Highest First-Professional Degree · Cumulative completers · 4-year (degrees awarded)What this meansIPEDSCOUNT2 — the rolling four-year sum of degrees awarded in this CIP × credential, matched to the cohort whose earnings are reported in College Scorecard FoS. Larger programs have more reliable downstream-earnings signals.
Largest 4-year cumulative completer cohorts at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Cumulative completers · 4-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law | First Professional Degree | Georgetown | DC | 672 | 672 |
| 2 | Law | First Professional Degree | Harvard | MA | 594 | 594 |
| 3 | Law | First Professional Degree | GW | DC | 565 | 565 |
| 4 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | First Professional Degree | Chamberlain University-Illinois | IL | 565 | 565 |
| 5 | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | First Professional Degree | MCPHS University | MA | 526 | 526 |
| 6 | Medicine | First Professional Degree | Michigan State | MI | 467 | 467 |
| 7 | Law | First Professional Degree | NYU | NY | 466 | 466 |
| 8 | Law | First Professional Degree | Columbia | NY | 460 | 460 |
| 9 | Medicine | First Professional Degree | New York Institute of Technology | NY | 435 | 435 |
| 10 | Law | First Professional Degree | American University | DC | 413 | 413 |
Credential bucket
Graduate Certificate
Top 10 Highest Graduate Certificate · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Highest median earnings 5y after completion, restricted to programs at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median earnings · 5 years after completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dental Residency Programs | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Augusta University | GA | — | $306.4k |
| 2 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Harvard | MA | 14 | $281.0k |
| 3 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Nova Southeastern University | FL | 50 | $246.8k |
| 4 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Graduate/Professional Certificate | University of Alabama at Birmingham | AL | — | $245.0k |
| 5 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Rutgers | NJ | 26 | $239.9k |
| 6 | Health and Medical Administrative Services | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Duke | NC | 12 | $222.7k |
| 7 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Graduate/Professional Certificate | UIC | IL | 32 | $222.0k |
| 8 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Tufts | MA | 68 | $202.9k |
| 9 | Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | Graduate/Professional Certificate | USC | CA | 55 | $199.9k |
| 10 | Legal Professions and Studies, Other | Graduate/Professional Certificate | USC | CA | 203 | $178.8k |
Top 10 Lowest Graduate Certificate · Median earnings · 5 years after completion (USD)What this meansMedian annual earnings of program completers 5 years after finishing a degree, computed from Treasury IRS tax records. Program-level cut from College Scorecard Field of Study Data — distinct from the institution-level 'years after entry' figure.
Lowest median earnings 5y after completion at this credential level — often programs whose graduates pursued additional schooling.
Top 10 Lowest Graduate Certificate · Median debt at completion (USD)What this meansMedian federal-student-loan debt of completers at graduation, reported by College Scorecard. Excludes private and parent loans. Lower values can indicate generous aid, lower published prices, or a high share of completers who used federal loans sparingly.
Lowest median federal student-loan debt at completion, at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Median debt at completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Religion/Religious Studies | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Beth Medrash Govoha | NJ | 329 | $8.5k |
| 2 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Creighton University | NE | 58 | $8.7k |
| 3 | Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Utah State | UT | 64 | $11.7k |
| 4 | Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Hamline University | MN | 35 | $12.5k |
| 5 | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Georgetown | DC | — | $12.5k |
| 6 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Colorado State University Global | CO | 80 | $13.5k |
| 7 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Lamar University | TX | 670 | $13.7k |
| 8 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Kent State University at Kent | OH | 51 | $13.8k |
| 9 | Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Regis University | CO | 78 | $13.8k |
| 10 | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German | PR | 32 | $15.0k |
Top 10 Highest Graduate Certificate · Cumulative completers · 4-year (degrees awarded)What this meansIPEDSCOUNT2 — the rolling four-year sum of degrees awarded in this CIP × credential, matched to the cohort whose earnings are reported in College Scorecard FoS. Larger programs have more reliable downstream-earnings signals.
Largest 4-year cumulative completer cohorts at this credential level.
| # | Program | Credential | Institution | State | Completers | Cumulative completers · 4-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Graduate/Professional Certificate | The College of Saint Rose | NY | 973 | 973 |
| 2 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Lamar University | TX | 670 | 670 |
| 3 | Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Capella University | MN | 649 | 649 |
| 4 | Educational Administration and Supervision | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Arkansas State University | AR | 546 | 546 |
| 5 | Curriculum and Instruction | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Piedmont University | GA | 450 | 450 |
| 6 | Special Education and Teaching | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Ball State University | IN | 433 | 433 |
| 7 | Business Administration, Management and Operations | Graduate/Professional Certificate | DeVry University-Illinois | IL | 416 | 416 |
| 8 | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Portland State University | OR | 381 | 381 |
| 9 | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Washington State | WA | 353 | 353 |
| 10 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Graduate/Professional Certificate | Maryville University of Saint Louis | MO | 352 | 352 |