Prospective college students are constantly asking themselves the million-dollar question: Is college still worth the tuition costs?
We know the answer is yes (and here's why), but a new report from Money.com reveals which colleges are actually REALLY worth the buck. None of the colleges listed have an below-average graduation rate, but they do shine in the following categories: educational quality, affordability and alumni earnings (provided by PayScale.com).
Between our Los Angeles powerhouse universities, UCLA beat out USC by a landslide! UCLA was listed at No. 31 on the list, and USC was No. 129.
Some of the Ivy Leagues made it into the top 10, but a few colleges you probably aren't that familiar with rated high as well.
The top 10 colleges worth your precious pennies are:
1. Babson College in Babson Park, Mass.
Net price of degree: $198,917
Avg. annual salary within 5 years: $59,700
2. Webb Institute in Glen Cove, N.Y.
Net price of degree: $77,606
Avg. annual salary within 5 years: $65,400
3. MIT in Cambridge, Mass.
Net price of degree: $154,676
Avg. annual salary within 5 years: $68,600
4. Princeton University in Princeton, N.J.
Net price of degree: $146,215
Avg. annual salary within 5 years: $56,100
5. Stanford University in Stanford, Calif.
Net price of degree: $168,780
Avg. annual salary within five years: $61,300
6. Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.
Net price of degree: $181,221
Avg. annual salary within five years: $55,300
7. Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, Calif.
Net price of degree: $187,694
Avg. annual salary within 5 years: $73,300
8. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, N.Y.
Net price of degree: $146,797
Ave. annual salary within 5 years: $61,400
9. Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah
Net price of degree: $84,037
Ave. annual salary within 5 years: $50,000
10. California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif.
Net price of degree: $174,825
Avg. annual salary within 5 years: $68,4000