2026

The degree.fyi ROI Awards

The best return-on-investment college programs in America, ranked by how quickly graduates can pay off their debt relative to what they earn.

836Programs recognized

497Schools represented

53States

Top 100 Best ROI

Programs with the lowest debt-to-earnings ratio nationwide

See all 100 →

Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology(certificate)Montana Technological University, MT

0.04$63,098 / $2,750

Electrical and Power Transmission Installers(certificate)Trinidad State College, CO

0.05$73,424 / $3,588

Economics(bachelors)Harvard University, MA

0.06$103,993 / $6,617

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(associates)Yuba College, CA

0.07$117,283 / $8,729

Electrical and Power Transmission Installers(certificate)Northwest Iowa Community College, IA

0.07$78,118 / $5,500

By Field of Study

Top ROI programs in each academic discipline

Parks, Recreation & Fitness

#1Health and Physical Education/Fitness (bachelors)Rice University

Family & Consumer Sciences

#1Human Development, Family Studies, (certificate)Unitech Training Academy-Lafayette

Visual & Performing Arts

#1Fine and Studio Arts (certificate)Gemological Institute of America-Carlsbad

Computer & Information Sciences

#1Computer Science (bachelors)Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Engineering Technologies

#1Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (associates)Olympic College

Mechanic & Repair Technologies

#1Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology (certificate)Montana Technological University

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

#1Biotechnology (bachelors)University of California-Davis

Science Technologies

#1Physical Science Technologies/Technicians (associates)Lee College

Construction Trades

#1Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (certificate)Trinidad State College

Architecture

#1Architectural Sciences and Technology (bachelors)University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Liberal Arts & Humanities

#1Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (bachelors)Massachusetts Institute of Technology

English Language & Literature

#1English Language and Literature (associates)CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

Communication & Journalism

#1Communication and Media Studies (bachelors)Ashland University

Homeland Security & Law Enforcement

#1Criminal Justice and Corrections (certificate)Indian River State College

Agriculture

#1Agricultural Business and Management (bachelors)Cornell University

Education

#1Special Education and Teaching (bachelors)CUNY Medgar Evers College

Social Sciences

#1Economics (bachelors)Harvard University

Interdisciplinary Studies

#1Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (bachelors)Thomas Edison State University

History

#1History (bachelors)Duke University

Legal Professions & Studies

#1Legal Support Services (associates)Palm Beach State College

Engineering

#1Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (bachelors)Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Psychology

#1Psychology (bachelors)St. Augustine College

Mathematics & Statistics

#1Mathematics (bachelors)Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Philosophy & Religious Studies

#1Philosophy (bachelors)University of Pennsylvania

Theology & Religious Vocations

#1Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (bachelors)Moody Bible Institute

Area, Ethnic & Cultural Studies

#1Area Studies (bachelors)Wellesley College

Culinary & Personal Services

#1Cosmetology (certificate)Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy

Precision Production

#1Precision Metal Working (certificate)Lynnes Welding Training

Public Administration & Social Service

#1Public Policy Analysis (bachelors)Princeton University

Transportation & Materials Moving

#1Ground Transportation (certificate)Elgin Community College

Business & Management

#1Finance and Financial Management Services (bachelors)University of Pennsylvania

Communications Technologies

#1Communications Technology/Technician (associates)Pellissippi State Community College

Foreign Languages & Linguistics

#1Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (bachelors)Vanderbilt University

Health Professions

#1Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (associates)Yuba College

Natural Resources & Conservation

#1Natural Resources Conservation and Research (bachelors)University of Maryland Global Campus

Physical Sciences

#1Chemistry (bachelors)University of California-Berkeley

Military Technologies

#1Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (bachelors)Norwich University

Library Science

#1Library Science and Administration (bachelors)Ashford University

By Credential Level

Best ROI at every degree level

Certificate Programs

Certificate and diploma programs — often the fastest path to a career

#1Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair TechnologyMontana Technological University, MT

Bachelor's Programs

Four-year bachelor's degree programs

#1EconomicsHarvard University, MA

Graduate Programs

Master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs

#1Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsSan Francisco State University, CA

Associate's Programs

Two-year associate's degree programs

#1Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingYuba College, CA

By State

Best ROI programs in your state

AlabamaTop 10 programs AlaskaTop 10 programs ArizonaTop 10 programs ArkansasTop 10 programs CaliforniaTop 10 programs ColoradoTop 10 programs ConnecticutTop 10 programs DelawareTop 10 programs District of ColumbiaTop 10 programs FloridaTop 10 programs GeorgiaTop 10 programs HawaiiTop 10 programs IdahoTop 10 programs IllinoisTop 10 programs IndianaTop 10 programs IowaTop 10 programs KansasTop 10 programs KentuckyTop 10 programs LouisianaTop 10 programs MaineTop 10 programs MarylandTop 10 programs MassachusettsTop 10 programs MichiganTop 10 programs MinnesotaTop 10 programs MississippiTop 10 programs MissouriTop 10 programs MontanaTop 10 programs NebraskaTop 10 programs NevadaTop 10 programs New HampshireTop 10 programs New JerseyTop 10 programs New MexicoTop 10 programs New YorkTop 10 programs North CarolinaTop 10 programs North DakotaTop 10 programs OhioTop 10 programs OklahomaTop 10 programs OregonTop 10 programs PennsylvaniaTop 10 programs Puerto RicoTop 10 programs Rhode IslandTop 10 programs South CarolinaTop 10 programs South DakotaTop 10 programs TennesseeTop 10 programs TexasTop 10 programs UtahTop 10 programs VermontTop 10 programs Virgin IslandsTop 1 programs VirginiaTop 10 programs WashingtonTop 10 programs West VirginiaTop 10 programs WisconsinTop 10 programs WyomingTop 10 programs

Special Awards

Rising Stars

Programs with the strongest salary growth from year 1 to year 4

#1Neurobiology and Neurosciences (bachelors)Vanderbilt University, TN

Most Affordable

The lowest debt programs that still deliver solid earnings ($35k+)

#1Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology (certificate)Montana Technological University, MT

Hidden Gems

Outstanding ROI at broadly accessible schools (50%+ admission rate)

#1Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology (certificate)Montana Technological University, MT

Methodology

The ROI Awards rank programs by debt-to-earnings ratio — median student debt divided by median earnings one year after graduation. A lower ratio means graduates can pay off their education faster relative to what they earn.

Only programs with actual U.S. Department of Education reported data (not estimated) and a sample of at least 30 graduates are eligible. Data is from the most recent College Scorecard release.

Primary metricDebt-to-earnings ratio (lower is better)

TiebreakersHigher earnings, then lower debt

Minimum sample30+ graduates with reported outcomes

Data sourceU.S. Department of Education College Scorecard