10 Colleges With the Best Return on Investment in 2023

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia. It currently offers over 100 major fields of undergraduate study.

Georgia Tech is known for having some of the highest-ranked engineering and computing colleges in the nation, but it also offers degrees in business, design, liberal arts, and the sciences. Students also have access to excellent career services. 

The total undergraduate enrollment at Georgia Tech in 2021 was about 17,500 students. Students have access to many forms of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, work-study programs, and co-op opportunities. 

Georgia Tech by the numbers: 

Average Undergraduate Tuition: $10,258/year
Average federal grant aid: $5,231.00/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $65,500/year

Colorado School of Mines is a public research university based in Golden, Colorado. The school offers over 70 degrees and programs.

The curriculum at Mines focuses on science and engineering as a path to solving the big problems this generation will face, including issues related to the climate, conservation, energy, and the environment. It has been recognized as one of the "brainiest colleges" and boasts outstanding student outcomes.

As of fall 2021, roughly 5,500 undergraduate students attended Mines. A 2020 annual report by the Mines Career Center found that 94% of recent graduates had positive outcomes within six months of graduation. Students also enjoy high starting salaries relative to the national average.

Mines by the numbers:

Average cost to attend: $16,650/year
Average federal grant aid: $4,663/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $69,200/year

Golden Gate University is a nonprofit university in San Francisco, California, that offers degrees in business, accounting, technology, law, and more. The institution currently offers 13 undergraduate degrees and certificates.

A self-described "university for professionals," GGU is a great choice for working adults looking to boost their careers. Students can choose from online, weekend, and evening classes that fit their busy schedules. GGU is known for its high-quality curriculum, small class sizes, and powerful alumni network.

The school is also committed to removing financial barriers to education. More than half of GGU students receive financial aid through scholarships, grants, and loans.

GGU by the numbers:

Average cost to attend: $15,840/year
Average federal grant aid: $5,268.99/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $66,100/year

Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public school in Rolla, Missouri. It currently offers 35 undergraduate degree programs and certificates. 

The school is known for its high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs. It also offers liberal arts and humanities degrees.

In the fall of 2021, Missouri S&T had about 6,000 undergraduate students. And 71% of students within the UM System received financial aid — including scholarships, grants, and loans.

Missouri S&T by the numbers:

Average cost to attend: $9,120/year
Average federal grant aid: $4,707/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $58,700/year

Augusta University is a public research university near the Savannah River in Augusta, Georgia. The school offers nearly 100 undergraduate majors across 10 schools of study. 

Augusta University strives to be a designated center for medical, dental, and broader health sciences, training the next generation of medical researchers and innovators. Students can also pursue coursework in other areas, like business, cybersecurity, animation, kinesiology, and more.

As of 2021, Augusta University had roughly 4,300 full-time undergrads and 1,200 part-time undergraduate students. In 2020, 78% of students were scholarship recipients and 42% were Pell Grant recipients.

Augusta University by the numbers:

Average cost to attend: $6,892/year
Average federal grant aid: $4,956/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $54,100/year

California Polytechnic State University is a large public university in San Luis Obispo, California. It currently offers 75 undergraduate degrees.

Cal Poly's academic philosophy is rooted in the idea of "learning by doing." As a result, it is widely recognized as one of the most innovative schools in the West. The school also boasts excellent student outcomes. Cal Poly reports that 95% of recent graduates were employed or attending graduate school within nine months of graduation.

The university offers various types of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.

Cal Poly by the numbers: 

Average cost to attend: $5,742/year
Average federal grant aid: $5,054/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $52,100/year

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public university based in the Black Hills of Rapid City, South Dakota. It offers 20 science and engineering majors and 29 minors. 

The school is known for its great value, quality research, and consistently strong student outcomes. It encourages undergraduates to "break things, build things, explore passions, and invent tomorrow."

Recent graduates of South Dakota Mines saw a 97% job placement rate in STEM fields. Financial aid programs at the school include scholarships, federal grants and loans, work-study options, and veteran/military assistance.

South Dakota Mines by the numbers:

Average cost to attend: $7,610/year
Average federal grant aid: $4,684/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $53,200/year

New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public polytechnic university in Newark, New Jersey. It offers more than 120 degree programs through six schools and colleges.

NJIT is ranked among the best public national universities and is celebrated for its excellent honors college. It has also been recognized for its social impact and ability to help improve the upward mobility of lower-income students. 

NJIT also offers several kinds of financial aid to help offset the cost of college, including scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, co-ops, and internship programs, and paid research opportunities.

NJIT by the numbers:

Average cost to attend: $14,488/year
Average federal grant aid: $5,257/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $53,600/year

The Oregon Institute of Technology is a public, four-year university in Klamath Falls, Oregon. It offers over 50 bachelor of science and bachelor of applied science degrees.

As a polytechnic university, Oregon Tech offers specialized training in technology, engineering, healthcare, business, communications, and the sciences. With a cozy 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from personalized attention in class.

Oregon Tech students have a competitive edge on the job market, with 96% of recent graduates finding employment or enrolling in graduate school within six months of graduation. Along the way, the school helps students and their families pay for college by offering scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study options.

Oregon Tech by the numbers:

Average cost to attend: $8,775/year
Average federal grant aid: $4,454/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $54,400/year

Stanford University is a private teaching and research university in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It currently offers 69 major fields of undergraduate study.

With an incredibly low 5-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, Stanford is a great place to learn from some of the most impressive academics in the world. Twenty Nobel laureates are currently members of the Stanford community. 

The total enrollment at Stanford in 2021 was almost 17,000 students. The majority of students receive financial aid — many qualifying for free tuition, room, and board. As a result, 87% of the most recent graduating class has no student debt. 

Stanford by the numbers: 

Average cost to attend: $52,857/year
Average federal grant aid: $6,211/year
Average postgraduate salary (1-2 years out): $70,400/year