A new ranking of American universities looks at value for students instead of academic fame. TIME magazine and the research firm Statista created the list, which rewards schools whose graduates earn good salaries. Stanford University took first place, helped by its startup culture and close ties to Silicon Valley. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology came second, while small Harvey Mudd College surprised many by finishing third.
Student results carry 75 percent of each school's score, far more than learning environment or popularity. The authors measured graduates' earnings, graduation rates, and the return students receive on their tuition. Schools with strong science and technology programs dominate the list because their degrees often lead to well-paid jobs. One national report found that the STEM workforce grew 26 percent between 2013 and 2023.