American Colleges With The Highest-Earning Graduates From Coast to Coast

27. Northeastern University – Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University has redefined what it means to prepare students for success in the real world. At the core of its approach is the signature cooperative education (co-op) program, which allows students to alternate semesters of classroom study with full-time, paid professional experience. This model doesn’t just teach theory—it puts students directly into the workforce before graduation, often leading to early job offers and higher-than-average starting salaries. Northeastern is particularly strong in computer science, business, health sciences, and cybersecurity, all of which are high-demand, high-paying fields. Its Boston location provides access to some of the nation’s top hospitals, tech firms, financial institutions, and biotech companies. Whether working at Amazon, Fidelity, or Massachusetts General Hospital, Northeastern students build résumés that are already stacked by the time they graduate. The university’s global network and emphasis on experiential learning ensure that its alumni are not just career-ready—they’re ahead of the curve in terms of earning power and upward mobility.