than what is required of the average BYU student. Because most kids at those schools have to take AP calculus, AP physics, honors English, etc., the classes at those schools are more advanced. Yes, math is math, but required math to graduate from most non-Stem degrees is at a higher level, and I would venture to say that even in the Stems, those schools start higher and their “average” kids do cooler stuff sooner than the “average” kids at a BYU.

As for career earnings, the school you select does make a difference for some career choices and earnings. If you want to be a teacher, a salesman, and various other professions, you don’t need to go to an Ivy League school. However, if you want to be an investment banker, work in high end commercial real estate, and certain other professions, then an Ivy League school makes a real difference in terms of access and availability. It is easier to get into many Medical School and Law Schools if you go to the more highly regarded undergrad schools. They give greater value to those schools compared to a BYU in many cases.