Become a graduate, then become rich. That's the plan, right?

We all know the value of a college education. You don't need to go to college to know it can quite literally pay off, but in case you need more proof, check out Payscale's list of the 25 schools where graduates earn the most in the middle of their careers.

More than 1,000 colleges were included in the research, which looked at salary data given to Payscale by alumni.

Best mid-career median pay among colleges

1. SUNY — Maritime College – $144,000
2. MIT – $134,000
3. (tie) Princeton University – $131,000
3. (tie) Harvey Mudd College – $131,000
5. Stanford University – $127,000
6. United States Military Academy at West Point – $126,000
7. United States Naval Academy – $125,000
8. (tie) University of Pennsylvania – $124,000
8. (tie) United States Air Force Academy – $124,000
10. Harvard University – $123,000
11. Babson College – $122,000
12. Santa Clara University – $121,000
13. (tie) Bates College – $119,000
13. (tie) Dartmouth College – $119,000
13. (tie) Duke University – $119,000
13. (tie) Carnegie Mellon University – $119,000
17. (tie) Occidental College – $117,000
17. (tie) Clarkson University – $117,000
17. (tie) Stevens Institute of Technology – $117,000
20. Brown University – $116,000
21. University of Chicago – $115,000
22. (tie) Georgetown University – $114,000
22. (tie) Colorado School of Mines – $114,000
24. (tie) Colgate – $113,000
24. (tie) Rice University – $113,000

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