FAQs
Computer engineering majors ranked first with an annual median salary of $80,000, followed by chemical engineering and computer science — the only two other majors that earn more than $75,000 annually. They make roughly double that of the lowest-paid majors, which tend to be degrees in the liberal arts or humanities.
What majors tend to get paid the most after graduating? ›
Top 20 College majors with the highest salaries
- Chemical Engineering. Engineering degrees are a common theme on this list. ...
- Computer Engineering. ...
- Aerospace Engineering. ...
- Electrical Engineering. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Mechanical Engineering. ...
- Civil Engineering. ...
- Industrial Engineering.
College majors that pay the most five years after graduation
| Major | Median Wage Early Career | Median Wage Mid Career |
|---|
| Computer Science | $78,000 | $110,000 |
| Finance | $66,000 | $104,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $71,000 | $100,000 |
| General Engineering | $68,000 | $100,000 |
6 more rowsMay 3, 2024
Computer engineering majors ranked first with an annual median salary of $80,000, followed by chemical engineering and computer science — the only two other majors that pay more than $75,000 annually. The trend is expected to continue going forward too.
What 4 year degree makes 6 figures? ›
Management occupations offer the most six-figure salaries with 12 jobs paying over $100,000. Engineering, Math, Computer, and IT combined offer 12 jobs paying over $100,000. Art, Sales, and Transportation each offer one six-figure job.
What is the number #1 highest paying major? ›
Chemical engineering was the highest-paying college major, with graduates earning $79,000 per year as a starting salary and $133,000 by mid-career. Business majors earned an early-career median wage range of $50,000-$66,000 per year. Computer science majors made an early-career median salary of $78,000 per year.
What is the lowest paying major? ›
College majors that pay the least for mid-career workers
- Early Childhood Education $48,000.
- General Education $52,000.
- Elementary Education $52,000.
- Secondary Education $55,000.
- Miscellaneous Education $56,000.
- Social Services $56,000.
- Theology + Religion $56,000.
- Special Education $57,000.
- Engineering. Coming in at the top is engineering. ...
- Economics/Finance. It's no surprise to hear that studying Economics or Finance can help fast-track you towards being a millionaire. ...
- Politics. ...
- Mathematics. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Law. ...
- MBA.
What Are the Highest-Paying Bachelor's Degrees?
- Actuarial Mathematics. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Business Computing. ...
- Electrical Engineering. ...
- Industrial Engineering. ...
- Operations Research. ...
- Applied Economics and Management. ...
- Public Accounting. Public accountants create tax returns and financial statements for individuals and organizations.
Table of Contents
- Some bachelor's degree jobs offer a high return.
- Construction Managers.
- Medical and Health Services Managers.
- Art Directors.
- Actuaries.
- Computer Network Architects.
- Medical Dosimetrists.
- Human Resources Managers.
A recent study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that engineering and computer science majors provide the highest returns in lifetime earnings, followed by business, health, and math and science majors.
What is the highest paying degree in 2024? ›
1. Computer Science. First among the highest-paying majors in 2024 is Computer Science. Computer Science graduates can thank the tech sector's rapid growth that continues to create job opportunities for skilled professionals.
What degree will earn you the most money? ›
The highest-paying degree you can get – according to our graduate data – is one in Dentistry. It's a specialised and vocational subject area, where most graduates find professional work in a dental-related role soon after completing their studies.
Which college major has the highest unemployment rate? ›
Ranked: U.S. Majors with the Highest Unemployment Rates
| Rank | U.S. Major | Underemployment Rate |
|---|
| 1 | 🎨 Art History | 62.3% |
| 2 | 📘 Liberal Arts | 56.7% |
| 3 | 🖌️ Fine Arts | 55.5% |
| 4 | 🚀 Aerospace Engineering | 17.9% |
7 more rowsMar 30, 2024
Top 10 Majors With Greatest Student Debt
- Behavioral Sciences ($42,822)
- Religious Education ($31,984)
- Culinary Arts and Related Services ($28,586)
- Human Services, General ($28,586)
- Education, General ($28,001)
- Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology ($27,439)
- Literature ($26,987)
- Natural Sciences ($26,912)
Five Highest-Paying Bachelor's Degrees
- Petroleum Engineering. The average salary for a petroleum engineer is $131,800. ...
- Aeronautics and Astronautics. ...
- Actuarial Mathematics. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Business Computing.
Key insights: College graduate salaries
Engineering majors have the highest projected salary for the class of 2024 at $76,736, followed by computer science majors with a projected salary of $74,778. Humanities majors have the highest projected salary jump (28.9%), going from $52,938 in 2023 to $68,227 in 2024.
Which graduation degree has highest salary? ›
Industries like technology, finance, engineering, and healthcare often provide the highest-paying opportunities for graduates with bachelor's degrees. Tech-related roles such as software engineers or data analysts are known for competitive salaries due to high demand.
How to make 100k after college? ›
Table of Contents
- Some bachelor's degree jobs offer a high return.
- Construction Managers.
- Medical and Health Services Managers.
- Art Directors.
- Actuaries.
- Computer Network Architects.
- Medical Dosimetrists.
- Human Resources Managers.
