Atlas · Education

Education programs as labor-market bets

14,259 program-credential rows from the College Scorecard, joined to BLS OEWS wage data. Read as: which CIP code, at what credential level, projects what earnings outcomes — with confidence intervals.

Highest-earning programs (1yr median)

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.First Professional Degree$272,682
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing ResearchDoctoral Degree$259,426
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.Master's Degree$250,706
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.Master's Degree$247,820
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.Master's Degree$246,053
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.Graduate/Professional Certific$243,437
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing ResearchDoctoral Degree$240,887
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.Master's Degree$238,129

Lowest-earning programs (with reported earnings)

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.Associate's Degree$6,992
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.Undergraduate Certificate or D$7,021
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.Associate's Degree$7,808
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services.Undergraduate Certificate or D$7,972
Fine and Studio Arts.Bachelor's Degree$8,482
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services.Undergraduate Certificate or D$8,864
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.Undergraduate Certificate or D$9,998
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.Associate's Degree$10,032

The methodology dispute

Conventional ROI analyses report a single program-level earnings number. The Atlas reports the program-credential level joined to occupation outcomes, allowing the reader to see whether high earnings come from the program itself or from credentialing premium that accumulates only at certain institutions. The difference matters for any individual deciding whether the program is worth the cost.