<p>Its hard to say how much of an impact college has on success. However, I want to see whether there is a pay difference between those that go to MIT and those that chose a state school for example. </p>
<p>So, current college students/recent graduates, please tell us how much you make working (during summers in internship), which school you attend, and what major so those who have not made a college choice can better decide. Or at least see if going to an Ivy really increases your pay.</p>
<p>Depends on your major and your career intentions...</p>
<p>For engineering, not much premium is paid for graduating from a top program vs. a competent flagship state university.</p>
<p>For finance and consulting, it definitely helps to attend an Ivy League or other elite university.</p>
<p>You should check out the surveys from the thread "Where do all the graduates go?" Some, like CMU, include average salaries.</p>
<p>Berkeley's career center also includes salary survey info:
[url=<a href="http://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Major.stm%5DCareer">http://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Major.stm]Career</a> Center - What Can I Do With a Major In..?<a href="select%20a%20major%20to%20bring%20up%20a%20report">/url</a></p>
<p>Keep in mind, too, that the college's location may influence the pay that students receive. A college that's in a high cost area like Boston or Calif. is likely to have fairly high number of students who choose to live after graduation in such areas.</p>
<p>When one factors in cost of living, such alum's salaries may be the same or close to that of the alum of colleges in lower cost areas who choose to remain in those areas.</p>
<p>The 4,000 square foot house that I have in a moderate cost area of the country wouldn't buy me an efficiency apartment condo in San Francisco.</p>