The value of education is paramount in the life of every human being. This thesis will test how, and to what degree, institutional prestige can affect starting and mid-career salary for college graduates. This thesis will also test the significance of four other variables - the average acceptance SAT score, the school acceptance rate, the percentage of classes with fewer than 20 students, and the tuition level. It was found that prestige as a dummy variable is statistically significant only when considered alone. When all variables are tested simultaneously, SAT scores and school acceptance rates are far more important factors determining future salary. This research will serve the greater purpose of educating prospective college students on the importance of their decision and on which college reputation contributing factors are the most important in regards to future salary potential.
