Choosing where to go to college is a major life decision, and it doesn’t stop there. You choose a major, then you choose a career path. And what you choose to study will ultimately impact your earning potential.
A new study by Glassdoor has analyzed hundreds of thousands of resumes and salary reports to come up with a list of the majors that earn graduates the most money in the first five years after college. The findings show that the highest paid majors are rooted in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) — but there is certainly opportunities for high-grossing jobs in other fields.
According to Glassdoor, the 50 highest paying college majors are:
- Median Base Salary: $70,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, Web Developer
- Median base salary: $68,438
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Electrical Engineer, Systems Engineer, Software Developer
- Median base salary: $68,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Mechanical Engineer, Design Engineer, Project Engineer
4. Chemical Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $65,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Project Engineer
5. Industrial Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $64,381
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Industrial Engineer, Quality Engineer, Production Planner
- Median Base Salary: $64,008
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Programmer Analyst, Technical Support, Systems Engineer
7. Civil Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $61,500
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Field Engineer
8. Statistics
- Median Base Salary: $60,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Data Analyst, Statistician, Data Scientist
9. Nursing
- Median Base Salary: $58,928
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Case Manager
10. Management Information Systems
- Median Base Salary: $58,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Network Administrator, Help Desk Analyst, Business Analyst
11. Finance
- Median Base Salary: $54,900
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Financial Analyst, Investment Banking Analyst, Accountant
12. Mathematics
- Median Base Salary: 54,018
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Math Teacher, Software Engineer, Data Analyst
13. Biomedical Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $52,814
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Biomedical Engineer, Service Engineer, Clinical Research Associate
14. Accounting
- Median Base Salary: $52,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Accountant, Auditor, Financial Analyst
15. Economics
- Median Base Salary: $52,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Financial Analyst, Management Analyst, Accountant
16. Physics
- Median Base Salary: $50,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Physicist, Research Fellow, Computer Programmer
17. Biotechnology
- Median Base Salary: $50,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Laboratory Technician, Quality Control Analyst, Research Associate
18. Architecture
- Median Base Salary: $50,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Architect, CAD Designer, Project Designer
19. Fashion Design
- Median Base Salary: $50,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Fashion Designer, Textile Designer, Stylist
20. Business
- Median Base Salary: $47,850
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Account Manager, Marketing Manager, Market Research Analyst
21. International Relations
- Median Base Salary: $45,880
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Marketing Associate, English Teacher, Research Assistant
22. Graphic Design
- Median Base Salary: $45,846
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Art Manager
23. Marketing
- Median Base Salary: $45,475
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Marketing Coordinator, Account Executive, Marketing Analyst
24. English
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: English Teacher, Editor, Copywriter
25. Political Science
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Law Clerk, Paralegal, Consultant
26. History
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Research Assistant, History Teacher, Teaching Assistant
27. Human Resources
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Coordinator, Corporate Recruiter, HR Analyst
28. Journalism
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Reporter, Editor, Public Relations Coordinator
29. Advertising
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Account Executive, Marketing Analyst, Media Planner
30. Philosophy
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Teaching Assistant, Writer, Consultant
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Environmental Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Safety Manager
32. Social Science
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Assistant, Management Consultant, Visual Merchandiser
33. Spanish
- Median Base Salary: $44,256
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Spanish Teacher, Spanish Translator, Project Manager
34. Communications
- Median Base Salary: $44,190
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Public Relations Coordinator, Journalist, Content Marketing Manager
35. Interior Design
- Median Base Salary: $44,098
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Interior Designer, Visual Merchandiser, Drafter
36. Chemistry
- Median Base Salary: $44,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Pharmacy Technician, Chemist, Laboratory Technician
37. Music
- Median Base Salary: $44,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Music Teacher, Audio Engineer, Media Sales
38. Film Studies
- Median Base Salary: $44,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Production Coordinator, Video Editor, Proposal Manager
39. Public Relations
- Median Base Salary: $43,156
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Public Relations Coordinator, Account Executive, Event Planner
40. Sports Management
- Median Base Salary: $43,156
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Personal Trainer, Sales Associate, Production Assistant
41. Education
- Median Base Salary: $43,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Special Education Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Language Arts Teacher
42. Anthropology
- Median Base Salary: $43,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Project Coordinator, Research Assistant, Administrative Assistant
43. Hospitality Management
- Median Base Salary: $42,734
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Food and Beverage Manager, Front Desk Manager, Housekeeping Manager
44. Biochemistry
- Median Base Salary: $42,672
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Research Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Chemist
45. Liberal Arts
- Median Base Salary: $42,500
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Sales Manager, Receptionist, Teacher
46. Psychology
- Median Base Salary: $42,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Case Manager, Mental Health Counselor, Sales Associate
47. Sociology
- Median Base Salary: $42,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Assistant, Account Manager, Administrative Assistant
48. Healthcare Administration
- Median Base Salary: $42,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Medical Assistant, File Clerk, Office Manager
49. Social Work
- Median Base Salary: $41,656
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Camp Counselor
50. Biology
- Median Base Salary: $41,250
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Lab Assistant, Paramedic, Tutor
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Written By:
Kassidy Taylor | Marketing & Communications, UNH Manchester | kassidy.taylor@unh.edu
