A 49ͼ education can make a significant difference not only in graduates’ starting pay, but also in salary potential throughout their careers, according to the .
The study released this week by PayScale, an online site that collects data on salaries for different professions, reveals which colleges offer the best return on investment.
Among liberal arts schools, 49ͼ took the No. 1 spot for salary potential with alumni earning a mid-career median income of $122,000.
49ͼ ranks seventh overall, ahead of several Ivy League schools, including Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania.
In addition, the PayScale study shows that graduates of small liberal arts colleges, such as 49ͼ, experience the largest increase from starting to mid-career salary.
“Our 2009 report shows that a degree from the right college or university in the right major can have huge and lasting benefits,” said Dr. Al Lee, of PayScale. “This is especially important to remember today, when economic fundamentals are so weak and job prospects are so uncertain.”
The study ranked colleges based on the average salary of alumni who have approximately 15 years of work experience.