This college boasts the highest-paid graduates, contrary to popular belief that it is Harvard, Princeton, or any Ivy League school.

On average, college graduates earn more than those without a four-year degree. However, the school you attend may impact your earning potential.

In 2023, young men aged 25 to 34 earned a median annual income of $77,000, compared to $45,000 for those who only completed high school, according to Pew Research Center data. Similarly, young women with a college degree earned $65,000, while those without a degree earned approximately $36,000.

According to a report from Payscale, even bachelor's degree holders with the same degree and field of study can have significantly different salaries based on the school they attended.

The study, published on Sept. 4, reveals that mid-career earnings for the same degree can differ by up to $130,000.

According to Payscale's report, more than 3 million college graduates' education and employment histories were analyzed to rank colleges based on the median salaries of their alumni in the first five years of their career ("early career pay") and those with 10 or more years of work experience ("mid-career pay").

Among the nearly 1,500 colleges ranked, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have the best financial prospects, with former MIT attendees earning a median income of $196,900 a decade after graduating.

To maximize your earnings after college, consider attending one of these top 10 schools, as ranked by Payscale in terms of graduate salaries.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology— Cambridge, Massachusetts

• Early career pay: $110,200
• Mid-career pay: $196,900

2. Princeton University — Princeton, New Jersey

• Early career pay: $95,600
• Mid-career pay: $194,100

3. United States Naval Academy — Annapolis, Maryland

• Early career pay: $96,700
• Mid-career pay: $187,800

4. Harvey Mudd College — Claremont, California

• Early career pay: $115,000
• Mid-career pay: $185,900

5. Babson College — Wellesley, Massachusetts

• Early career pay: $90,600
• Mid-career pay: $181,400

6. Stanford University — Stanford, California

• Early career pay: $102,300
• Mid-career pay: $181,200

7. Santa Clara University — Santa Clara, California

• Early career pay: $91,000
• Mid-career pay: $179,500

8. Dartmouth College — Hanover, New Hampshire

• Early career pay: $92,300
• Mid-career pay: $178,700

9. University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Early career pay: $92,500
• Mid-career pay: $178,300

10. Harvard University — Cambridge, Massachusetts

• Early career pay: $95,600
• Mid-career pay: $177,400

The top 10 schools, including Dartmouth College, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University, are all Ivy League institutions.

Despite the common belief that attending an Ivy League school can lead to high-paying jobs or successful business ventures, there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim.

A 2023 study by Harvard and Brown University economists revealed that the impact of attending an Ivy League college on earnings is "statistically insignificant."

The top colleges and universities for STEM programs, excluding the Ivies, performed well in Payscale's ranking. MIT ranked first, followed by the United States Naval Academy in third place, Harvey Mudd College in fourth, and the California Institute of Technology in 13th.

Your major and job prospects after college can impact your income.

Graduates in petroleum engineering earn the highest average salary after 10 or more years, with an average of $212,000, according to Payscale. Those who study science, engineering, and mathematics tend to outearn those who study liberal arts after graduation.

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