2027 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable

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Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures
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A college degree is one of the biggest investments families will ever make, and a key measure of a college is how well it sets up a student for success post-graduation. While many ranking lists focus on where students start—selectivity, test scores and institutional prestige—this rankings list focuses on results that matter. College Raptor’s ranking of colleges that improve a student’s economic futures evaluates accessibility for low-income households and key post-graduation outcomes, including post-graduation earnings, degree completion rate, and student loan repayment success. The results highlight the strong performance of several public university systems, including the University of California, California State University, and CUNY.

Methodology

Equal weighting was given to following core pillars:

Lower income and Pell-eligible student accessibility
Degree completion rates
Career and earnings outcomes
Debt burden and repayment

Institutions in the bottom 25% for lower-income accessibility were excluded from the rankings. Post-graduation earnings data was adjusted for local cost of living.

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Rank	Institution	Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College	1	49.04	1,310 – 1,450	4326	61542	#1 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY One of the oldest schools in the CUNY system, Baruch College was originally the The City College of New York's School of Business and Civic Administration when it opened in 1919. It became its own college in 1968, and many students today still major in business. Two popular programs include Finance, General, and Accounting. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 1 Acceptance Rate 49.0% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $4,326 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,542
2	Southern California Institute of Technology	2	74.19	--	31486	60630	#2 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable Southern California Institute of Technology Anaheim, CA During the last admissions cycle, the Southern California Institute of Technology accepted 74% of applicants. An astounding 92% of these students went on to enroll. The school offers degrees in three undergraduate programs: Electrician, Automation Engineer Technology/Technician, and Biomedical Technology/Technician. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 2 Acceptance Rate 74.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $31,486 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,630
3	University of California-Berkeley	4	11.45	1,330 – 1,540	16538	74919	#3 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA The University of California, Berkeley was the state’s first land-grant university and the first campus in the school system. The California Golden Bears, competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, have won over 110 team titles. With a 97% first year retention rate, 81% go on to graduate within four years, 93% within six. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 4 Acceptance Rate 11.5% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $16,538 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $74,919
4	University of California-Davis	5	44.35	1,180 – 1,420	17270	58461	#4 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of California-Davis Davis, CA The University of California – Davis is the seventh campus within the University of California system. It was originally an agricultural branch when founded in 1905, and was known as University Farm. Famous alumni have included the CEO of Chevron, John S....Read more Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 5 Acceptance Rate 44.4% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,270 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,461
5	University of California-Merced	6	97.04	980 – 1,160	13690	48475	#5 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of California-Merced Merced, CA UC Merced, opened in 2005, is one of the newest schools to join the University of California system. 84% of students receive institutional grant aid, $12,518 on average per student. Not far from Yosemite National Park, Lake Yosemite borders the campus’s north side. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 6 Acceptance Rate 97.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $13,690 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,475
6	University of California-San Diego	7	28.56	1,290 – 1,490	14047	65669	#6 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA The southernmost campus of the University of California system, the San Diego campus is located close to the Pacific Ocean. The school offers over 160 undergraduate programs and nearly 20 organized research units. It also hosts the region’s only academic Health System. San Diego has a 94% first year retention rate. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 7 Acceptance Rate 28.6% SAT Score 1,290 – 1,490 Avg. Net Price $14,047 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,669
7	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	8	73.95	1,010 – 1,260	11940	54466	#7 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, is located within the Los Angeles metropolitan area and bordered by the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. Students can find the 77-acre Voorhis Ecological Reserve in the northwestern part of the campus....Read more Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 8 Acceptance Rate 74.0% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $11,940 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,466
8	Stony Brook University	9	48.18	1,340 – 1,500	20992	59492	#8 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Stony Brook University is a flagship school of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It has student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1, with a first year retention rate of 89%. A NCAA Division I-FCS school in the Colonial Athletic Association, SBU has 449 student-athletes, known as the Seawolves. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 9 Acceptance Rate 48.2% SAT Score 1,340 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $20,992 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,492
9	California State University-Long Beach	10	45.43	1,030 – 1,240	10607	50062	#9 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA Just minutes from the beach, CSU, Long Beach offers several Physical Education courses you might want to take if you love the water, including Surfing, Aqua Aerobics, Swimming, and Beach Volleyball. Appropriately, the school mascot is a shark named Elbee. CSULB is a Hispanic-serving institution and awards up to Doctor's degrees. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 10 Acceptance Rate 45.4% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $10,607 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,062
10	University of California-Irvine	11	28.95	1,240 – 1,440	15889	56210	#10 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA The University of California, Irvine offers over 85 undergraduate majors, with many choosing Computer Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General. Part of the Big West Conference, over 50 Anteaters have competed in the Olympics and brought home more than 30 medals. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 11 Acceptance Rate 29.0% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $15,889 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,210
11	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus	12	82.95	920 – 1,220	13898	62979	#11 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA The University of Washington, Tacoma campus sits in the historic Union Station District, with views of Mount Rainier and the Port of Tacoma. The school offers up to Doctor's degrees and follows a quarter academic schedule....Read more Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 12 Acceptance Rate 83.0% SAT Score 920 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $13,898 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
12	New Jersey Institute of Technology	13	67.37	1,230 – 1,450	17313	69591	#12 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ The New Jersey Institute of Technology has a first year retention rate of 89%, with many undergraduates majoring in Computer and Information Sciences, General. Awarding up to Doctor's degrees, it’s an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander- and Hispanic-serving institution. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 13 Acceptance Rate 67.4% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $17,313 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $69,591
13	Unitek College	14	0	--	25458	62043	#13 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable Unitek College Fremont, CA Unitek College was established in 2002, changing its name to Unitek College of Nursing in July 2026. Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training is a popular undergraduate program. The school also has campuses in Reno, Nevada, and throughout California. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 14 Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $25,458 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,043
14	University of Illinois Chicago	15	75.76	1,040 – 1,320	10852	53218	#14 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Around 24,000 undergraduates are currently enrolled at the University of Illinois Chicago, and it's the largest university within the Chicago metropolitan area. With 16 colleges, it offers up to Doctor's degrees....Read more Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 15 Acceptance Rate 75.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $10,852 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,218
15	California State University-Fullerton	16	88.11	840 – 1,080	7064	48558	#15 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA Cal State, Fullerton’s mascot is Tilly the Titan, an elephant, in honor of "The First Intercollegiate Elephant Race in Human History," which was hosted on campus in 1962. 73% of students earn their bachelor’s within eight years, with many studying Business Administration and Management, General. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 16 Acceptance Rate 88.1% SAT Score 840 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $7,064 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,558
16	University of California-Los Angeles	17	9.41	1,320 – 1,540	14512	59063	#16 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA The University of California, Los Angeles is the second-oldest branch of the state school system. Its motto is “fiat lux,” or “let there be light.” Famous alumni have included Sean Astin, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Morhaime, Jim Morrison, and Troy Aikman. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 17 Acceptance Rate 9.4% SAT Score 1,320 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $14,512 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,063
17	California State University-Stanislaus	18	95.58	840 – 1,060	7433	47793	#17 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable California State University-Stanislaus Turlock, CA Also known as Stan State, California State University, Stanislaus is a Hispanic-serving institution. Almost all first-year students are from California, and 85% of students stay on after their first year. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 18 Acceptance Rate 95.6% SAT Score 840 – 1,060 Avg. Net Price $7,433 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,793
18	Rutgers University-Newark	19	71.36	1,040 – 1,280	18276	61263	#18 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable Rutgers University-Newark Newark, NJ Newark is one of the three campuses that make up Rutgers University, one of the oldest higher education institutions in the United States. Two student newspapers are published on campus – “The Observer” and “The Newark Targum” – as well the "Scarlet Magazine." Newark awards up to Doctor's degrees, with Business Administration......Read more Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 19 Acceptance Rate 71.4% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $18,276 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,263
19	University of California-Santa Barbara	20	38.2	1,260 – 1,480	17658	56852	#19 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Part of the University of California system and a Public Ivy, the Santa Barbara campus is located on the Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics is the most commonly chosen area of study. An highly selective school, it also has a first year retention rate of 93%. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 20 Acceptance Rate 38.2% SAT Score 1,260 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $17,658 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,852
20	California State University-Sacramento	21	93.57	900 – 1,130	10110	51074	#20 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA The 305-acre campus at California State University, Sacramento, was named “Tree Campus USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation. It has more than 3,500 trees, including the University Arboretum. The school also features the Julia Morgan House, which was the home of the first woman licensed to practice architecture in the state. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 21 Acceptance Rate 93.6% SAT Score 900 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $10,110 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,074
21	University of Washington-Bothell Campus	22	86.4	1,050 – 1,370	10777	62979	#21 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA The University of Washington, Bothell accepts 86% of applicants – 23% enroll and 86% stay on after finishing their first year. Computer Science, Business Administration and Management, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are the most popular undergraduate programs. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 22 Acceptance Rate 86.4% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $10,777 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
22	San Jose State University	23	80.39	990 – 1,290	13892	62448	#22 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable San Jose State University San Jose, CA San Jose State University is the founding campus of the California State University system. Its roots date back to 1857, making it the oldest public university in the western US. Classified as a Master's Colleges and Universities I school, SJSU offers up to Doctor's degrees. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 23 Acceptance Rate 80.4% SAT Score 990 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $13,892 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,448
23	University of California-Riverside	24	86.09	1,090 – 1,310	14562	48593	#23 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA 64% of students attending the University of California, Riverside receive grant aid, with an average of $24,355 each. A part of the Big West Conference, UC Riverside is a NCAA Division I without football school with 308 athletes, who are known as the Highlanders and cheered on by Scotty Highlander. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 24 Acceptance Rate 86.1% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $14,562 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,593
24	CUNY Hunter College	25	54.34	1,110 – 1,400	4431	50414	#24 Best Colleges – Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures – Not applicable CUNY Hunter College New York, NY Hunter College awards up to Doctor's degrees and has 113 undergraduate programs available. Opened in 1870 as the Female Normal and High School, the college became coeducational in the 1950s, though the student body is still largely women. The Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College is FDR’s former home. Colleges that Improve Students' Economic Futures 25 Acceptance Rate 54.3% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $4,431 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,414