10 of the Best US Universities for Graduate Employability 2018

Click here to read the latest version of this article, based on the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019.

There are 81 US universities featured among the global top 500 for graduate employability in the recently published QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018, including 19 in the top 50. This ranking aims to celebrate the universities which are skilled at preparing students for the workplace, based on a methodology which measures each university’s employer reputation, alumni outcomes, graduate employment rate and other aspects.

Read on to discover 10 of the best US universities for graduate employability in 2018. 

1. Stanford University

Continuing to rank first both in the US and the world for graduate employability, Stanford University is the best university in the world for the Partnerships with Employers indicator, as well as ranking second for Alumni Outcomes. Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford is known for producing many successful business leaders and entrepreneurs, including the founders or co-founders of household names such as Google, LinkedIn, YouTube, Nike, Netflix and Snapchat, to name a few. The university’s Career Development Center has recently been renamed BEAM (Bridging Education, Ambition & Meaningful Work) and offers career coaching appointments, employer connections events and fairs, expert advice, and experimental trips to explore different workplaces.

2. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Climbing from 15^th to second in the world in this year’s Graduate Employability Ranking, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) receives its strongest scores for Alumni Outcomes and Partnerships with Employers (ranked eighth in the world for both). Notable alumni of UCLA include seven Nobel Prize winners, the founders of Blizzard Entertainment, and entertainment figures such as Carol Burnett, George Takei and Francis Ford Coppola.

3. Harvard University

Having opted out of last year’s ranking, Harvard University enters this year at third place both in the world and the US. It receives an unbeatable first place score for Alumni Outcomes, reflecting the huge number of successful individuals who’ve studied at Harvard, such as Natalie Portman, Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, Margaret Atwood and Matt Damon. Harvard achieves third place for Employer Reputation, with employers certainly respecting Harvard’s prestige.

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Ranked fifth in the world for graduate employability, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is another of the best US universities for the Employer Reputation and Alumni Outcomes indicators (ranked fourth in the world for both). The university supports students’ career prospects with its Global Education and Career Development center, which also offers advice on going abroad for work or study.

Discover the 10 most successful MIT graduates >

5. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Another of the best US universities for graduate employability is the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), ranked ninth in the world and achieving its strongest score for the Employer Reputation indicator. The university’s Haas School of Business includes the Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Program, which integrates entrepreneurial thinking into the student experience, assisting students in launching new ventures, and UCB’s alumni include 33 Nobel Prize winners, 17 billionaires, and 11 Turing Award winners.

6. New York University (NYU)

Climbing an impressive 27 places this year to now rank 11^th in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings, New York University (NYU) achieves third place in the world for the Employer-Student Connection indicator, with the university running a range of careers fairs for all majors, plus fairs for specific academic majors. Ideally located in New York City (one of the world’s leading financial centers), NYU also ranks ninth for Alumni Outcomes.

7. Columbia University

Another New York City-based institution, Columbia University is ranked 12^th for graduate employability in 2018. Columbia receives its highest score for Alumni Outcomes, thanks to an array of successful alumni, including US presidents and other heads of state, 39 Nobel Prize winners, and other notable figures such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Katie Holmes and Leonard Cohen. Its Columbia University Center for Career Education aims to help students achieve their career goals through career fairs, counseling, workshops and more.

Trying to decide between NYU and Columbia? Read a comparison of the two here >

8. Princeton University

Next in our look at the best US universities for graduate employability is Princeton University, which is ranked 13^th in the world. As well as having a top-50 score for Employer Reputation, Princeton receives its highest score for Alumni Outcomes, again graduating successful figures in business, politics, engineering, entertainment and other ventures. The university’s Princeton University Entrepreneurial Hub serves as a start-up incubator space for encouraging the exchange of ideas.

=9. Cornell University

Ranked joint 18^th in the world for graduate employability, Cornell University is another of the best US universities for Alumni Outcomes (achieving a strong score of 12^th for this indicator). Each year, Cornell’s Career Services hosts over 400 career workshops and events on campus, and offers students’ advice on understanding their strengths, exploring their options and taking action for their next steps.

=9.  Yale University

Concluding our look at the 10 best US universities for graduate employability is Yale University, a new entrant at joint 18^th with Cornell.  Yale is ranked 15^th for Employer Reputation, reflecting its Ivy League reputation, and sixth for Alumni Outcomes. Prominent Yale alumni include Meryl Streep, five US presidents, Boeing founder William Boeing and Peace corps founder Sargent Shriver.

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