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

34. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a national leader in producing graduates who go on to thrive in high-paying careers, especially in STEM and business fields. The Grainger College of Engineering is world-renowned, with departments like computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering consistently ranked among the best. Graduates are heavily recruited by top tech firms including Google, Amazon, Meta, and Intel, with starting salaries that regularly exceed $80,000. UIUC also boasts the Gies College of Business, where students majoring in finance, accounting, and information systems secure roles at major firms like Deloitte, PwC, and JPMorgan. With strong ties to Silicon Valley and Chicago’s financial district, the university maintains a robust internship pipeline and alumni network that spans the globe. UIUC’s research-driven campus provides students with access to some of the most advanced facilities and faculty in the nation, ensuring graduates are ready to make an immediate impact. For those seeking a high-value degree that leads to strong earnings and career growth, UIUC consistently delivers.