Highest-Paid College Grads Went to These Schools

School’s out! Some new college grads will give themselves a final summer off before settling into life as a grownup. For others the job search is on in earnest, and the reality of the gap between the starting salaries on offer and the size of student debt is starting to sink in — these are the lowest paying jobs for college grads. 

Some career newbies may be familiarizing themselves with the five stages of grief–denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance–and that final one could be a very long way down the road in a lot of cases. Others may be drowning their sorrows in seasonal umbrella drinks or a few tasty brewskis. But there’s a subcategory of recent grads who may be wondering what the fuss is all about, secure in the knowledge that before long they can expect to earn a handsome living.

Those fortunate souls are likely to be graduates of New York’s SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, or the University of Pennsylvania. According to the Department of Education College Scorecard figures, there are the five schools whose alumni are raking in the highest average earnings 10 years down the line. 

Ranging from $169,600 (SUNY Downstate) to $131,600 (Penn), a degree from these schools will likely take some of the sting out of the looming college debt and impending adulthood, especially since several of these universities are located in states with the highest mortgage debt.

For those without the foresight — or the grades — to enroll in the top five, don’t despair — only one of these schools is located in the top five states for business. 

Check out this state-by-state list of the colleges whose grads have the highest earnings potential. And regardless of where you went to school — or even if you’re planning your kids’ futures — take a look at the list of the highest paying jobs in America.