What A Degree Gets You
A bachelor’s degree can put about $1,432 a week in your pocket—but some majors treat that number like a warm-up. Below is a data-backed ranking of the biggest earners, pulling from the BLS, PayScale, Indeed, and other sources. (The figures in the headings are rough averages, not a blood oath.)
Actuarial Science: $108,350
Actuarial Science might not be the first major that comes to mind, but it’s one of the most rewarding. Actuaries use math and financial theory to assess risk, typically in insurance, pensions, or investment sectors. Starting salaries are around $70,000, but seasoned actuaries can earn well over $200,000 annually.
Chemical Engineering: $107,000
Alumni from schools like MIT and Stanford have gone on to innovate in biotech, clean energy, etc. A mid-career salary can surpass $140,000, with top earners in the oil and gas industry making even more. Chemical engineers helped develop everything from COVID-19 vaccines to sustainable biofuels.
Computer Engineering: $105,000
Computer engineers are behind some of the most essential innovations—from creating the microchips in your phone to designing supercomputers. Many Silicon Valley pioneers, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, studied computer engineering. Entry-level salaries typically start around $75,000, with experienced engineers earning upwards of $150,000.
Electrical Engineering: $103,000
Without electrical engineers, advances like Tesla’s electric cars or SpaceX’s rockets wouldn’t be possible. Early-career salaries average $70,000, while senior engineers in fields like aerospace or telecommunications can exceed $180,000. Electrical engineers design and maintain the systems that keep modern life running smoothly.
Aerospace Engineering: $101,000
Graduates from institutions like Caltech or Purdue University often join companies like NASA, Boeing, Airbus, or SpaceX. Neil Armstrong, the first who walked on the moon, studied aerospace engineering. Salaries usually range from $70,000 for entry-level positions to over $200,000 for senior roles in spacecraft design.
Healthcare Administration: $100,980
Healthcare administration is the perfect blend of business and healthcare. The focus here is on managing hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems. Graduates typically start as healthcare managers or consultants, earning around $70,000 annually. Experienced administrators (hospital CEOs or directors) can earn over $200,000.
Healthcare Administration: $100,980 (Cont.)
Healthcare administrators keep hospitals running while everyone else saves lives—handling budgets, staffing, patient satisfaction, and the operational chaos most people never see. As healthcare systems get bigger, more complex, and more efficiency-obsessed, demand for sharp administrators keeps climbing. In fact, the U.S. healthcare sector is projected to grow by 28% over the next decade, making this role increasingly valuable—and increasingly well-paid.
Mining Engineering: $100,640
Mining engineering might sound old-school, but it’s important in today’s world to source essential materials like lithium and cobalt for batteries. Colorado School of Mines and Virginia Tech lead the way in educating mining engineers. While the average salary hovers around $100,000, folks in leadership roles can earn around $200,000.
Business Analytics: $99,000
Business analytics is all about connecting data with decision-making. And in the era of big data, it has become a critical field. Entry-level positions in industries like finance or tech often start at $80,000, but senior roles can surpass $150,000. Data drives strategy, so all companies are looking for analysts.
Economics: $98,600
Economists with advanced degrees can earn up to $200,000, with entry-level salaries starting around $70,000 in investment banking, policy advising, accountancy, market research, and more. Economics offers an in-depth understanding of how societies allocate resources and make decisions. This field basically shapes the global economy.
Pharmacology: $98,520
Pharmacology focuses on developing and testing new medications, a field that has grown exponentially in recent years. Schools like UCSF and the University of Michigan have been producing leading pharmacologists. Entry-level roles in this field often start at $80,000, but with experience and advanced degrees, you can ask for $150,000.
Physics: $97,300
Quantum computing, thermodynamics, the nature of dark matter, cosmology, atomic theory—physics tackles some of the universe’s biggest questions. Physics graduates often pursue careers in research, engineering, or technology, with starting salaries of $70,000 and mid-career earnings exceeding $140,000.
Physics: $97,300 (Cont.)
One of the most exciting aspects of a physics degree is its potential for groundbreaking discoveries. Students studying physics may find themselves exploring questions about black holes and the very origins of the universe. Universities like MIT, Caltech, and the University of Cambridge are globally recognized for their physics programs.
Welcome to Caltech Physics by caltech
Computer Science: $95,500
Comp sci consistently remains one of the most popular and versatile degrees. It’ll lead you to roles in software development, AI, UI/UX design, web development, and cybersecurity. While entry-level salaries average $95,500, tech giants like Google and Amazon pay top talent over $200,000 annually.
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Aviation: $95,000
With an aviation degree, the paycheck can climb almost as fast as the plane. New commercial pilots often start around $70,000, but seasoned captains running international routes can soar past $200,000 a year. And it’s not just cockpit-or-bust—these programs can also set you up for aviation management or even aerospace consulting. Schools like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Purdue University are often named among the standout options for getting airborne.
Industrial Engineering: $94,700
Industrial engineering focuses on optimizing processes, systems, resources, and customer satisfaction. So, their role is vital across industries like manufacturing, logistics, and technology. Companies like Amazon and Tesla rely heavily on industrial engineers to systemize their operations and make things cost-effective. The mid-career salaries exceed $130,000 at times.
Mechanical Engineering: $93,600
Mechanical engineering is one of the most versatile engineering fields, covering everything from designing engines to robotics. With starting salaries around $70,000, experienced professionals in advanced roles like automotive design or aerospace systems can earn over $150,000. The University of Michigan and Stanford University have got top-tier programs.
Marine Engineering: $93,360
The maritime industry drives global trade. Marine engineers are the ones designing, building, and also maintaining ships and submarines. Senior marine engineers in offshore oil or luxury yacht design can earn upwards of $150,000, even though entry-level salaries are less.
Mathematics: $92,400
Katherine Johnson, a mathematician at NASA, helped calculate the trajectory for Apollo 11’s moon landing. A mathematics degree is like a passport to countless high-paying careers. So, starting salaries hover around $65,000 (annually), but mathematicians working in quantitative finance or cryptography can earn $200,000 and above.
Pre-Med: $91,700
Pre-med prepares students for medical school and careers in healthcare. It includes foundational courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, along with ethics, psychology, and anatomy. After completing medical school, pre-med students can specialize in areas such as cardiology, dermatology, anesthesiology, neurologist, oncologist, etc.
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Pre-Med: $91,700 (Cont.)
While pre-med graduates earn around $50,000 initially, those who pursue medical school and specialize can earn millions annually. Cardiologists, for example, have a median salary of $421,000! This career track demands dedication, but the financial and personal rewards are huge.
Civil Engineering: $90,500
Bridges, roads, water systems—the stuff you only notice when it breaks? Civil engineers are the brains behind designing it, building it, and keeping it from turning into a very expensive disaster. Schools like UC Berkeley and Virginia Tech are often cited as top-tier training grounds for the field. Entry-level pay typically starts around $60,000, but once you move into senior project management or structural design, salaries can push past $130,000 a year. And if you want proof this work matters, just look at icons like the Golden Gate Bridge or the Hoover Dam—civil engineering at its most legendary.
Information Technology: $90,000
IT professionals are the backbone of the digital age. And the industry is one of the most stable and lucrative career paths one can take because of the sheer opportunities. Entry-level IT jobs pay around $60,000, but advanced roles in cloud computing or cybersecurity can bring in $150,000 or more.
Finance: $88,300
Billionaires like Warren Buffett and Michael Bloomberg studied finance, so you know that this degree can truly pay off big time. Wharton School and NYU Stern, specifically, produce graduates who dominate Wall Street. Entry-level analysts typically earn $70,000, but high-level executives and hedge fund managers are making millions of dollars.
Biochemistry: $85,000
Biochemists conduct research to understand and develop new medicines, agricultural advancements, and more. Starting salaries are low at $55,000, but senior researchers in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries are earning up to $150,000. Without biochemistry, breakthroughs like CRISPR gene editing or mRNA vaccines wouldn’t exist.
Accounting: $85,000
Entry-level accountants earn around $55,000, but certified public accountants (CPAs) and financial controllers can bring in $120,000 or more. Accountants are vital for managing finances and ensuring compliance with regulations. It’s closely related to business and finance degrees but more hands-on.
Management Information Systems (MIS): $82,300
MIS professionals in senior roles like IT directors are earning upwards of $130,000. Texas A&M University and the University of Arizona are known for their MIS programs and the graduates are in high demand across all industries. This field basically combines tech and business by using data to solve organizational problems.
International Affairs: $80,900 (2 slides)
A degree in international affairs equips students with the skills to understand global politics and diplomacy. You also study economics and cultural history. Programs at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service or the London School of Economics provide students with world-class education and networking opportunities.
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International Affairs: $80,900 (Cont.)
International affairs isn’t always an instant cash cannon—but it can scale fast if you climb the right ladder. Entry-level roles like policy analyst or NGO program coordinator typically land in the $50,000–$70,000 range, then jump significantly with experience. Move into global consulting or international law and six figures starts looking a lot less mythical. And for the career highlight reel, some professionals even find themselves working with heavy hitters like the United Nations or the World Bank.
Political Science: $80,000
Pol Sci dives into the study of governments and public policies. Entry-level roles in public policy or political consulting typically pay $50,000 (approx.), while seasoned political analysts or lobbyists can earn over $130,000. It’s important to note that the unemployment and underemployment rate is quite high with this degree, though.
Construction Services: $80,000
Skyscrapers to highways, a degree in construction services equips students with the skills needed to manage and oversee these projects. And working on large-scale projects can surpass $120,000 for experienced managers, even if entry-level PMs earn around $60,000. With urbanization on the rise, this degree ensures a steady demand.
Logistics: $80,000
Logistics is a little more hands-on than industrial engineering. Starting salaries hover around $60,000, but senior logistics managers in industries like e-commerce or international trade can earn over $150,000. Logistics professionals focus on the efficient management of supply chains and ensuring goods are delivered on time.
Chemistry: $79,900
Caltech and the University of Oxford offer leading courses in chemistry. It’s a pretty versatile degree that opens doors to careers in pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and even food technology. Advanced positions in research and development or chemical engineering pay over $120,000.
Marketing: $79,600
Marketing majors learn how to connect products and services with audiences, creating compelling campaigns that drive business success. Starting salaries for marketing professionals are around $50,000, but some marketing directors or chief marketing officers make well over $200,000.
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Geology: $79,500
Geology majors have answers and solutions for modern challenges like climate change and resource management. It’s all about studying Earth’s materials, history, and processes, which leads to careers in oil and gas exploration or mining. Experienced geologists working in energy exploration or environmental engineering can earn over $120,000.
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Architecture: $79,000
Architecture is where art and engineering shake hands and agree to make something gorgeous that won’t collapse. It trains you to design buildings that are as functional as they are eye-catching—and the pay can scale with your skills, portfolio, and experience, ranging from roughly $55,000 to $130,000. If you’re aiming for top-tier programs, Rhode Island School of Design and MIT are often treated like the VIP section of architecture schools.
Psychology: $75,000
Psychology brings you careers in counseling, research, consulting, and even human resources. The starting salaries for psychology graduates are pretty low and it’s a slow climb, ranging from $40,000 to $60,000. But clinical psychologists or industrial-organizational psychologists can earn much, much higher.
Nursing: $75,000
Nursing is one of the most stable and rewarding careers in healthcare, which offers a mix of job security and high earning potential. Early in their careers, registered nurses make around $65,000, but advanced practice nurses, such as nurse anesthetists, can earn almost $200,000.
Nursing: $75,000 (Cont.)
One of the most appealing aspects of nursing is the variety of career paths available. Nurses can work in traditional hospital settings, but they also find opportunities in schools, public health departments, military healthcare, or even research. Travel nursing is another exciting option to consider.
Communications: $75,000
Communications majors learn how to craft and deliver messages effectively, leading to careers in public relations, media, journalism, and corporate communication. With social media revolutionizing how brands connect with audiences, skilled communicators are indispensable in today’s digital world. The highest one can earn with this degree is over $150,000.
Microbiology: $75,000
Microbiology focuses on the study of microscopic organisms, which makes it essential for careers in healthcare and research. So, senior positions in pharmaceutical development or infectious disease research can get you $120,000 or more. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the role microbiologists play in protecting public health.
Zoology: $70,000
UC Davis and the University of Cambridge are known for zoology programs. Zoology majors basically study animal biology and behavior, which is helpful in careers related to wildlife conservation and veterinary science. Experienced zoologists working in conservation or academia can earn over $100,000.
Legal Studies: $70,000
Law school graduates often start in paralegal roles, earning around $50,000, but those who attend law school can pursue careers as lawyers, with top earners making $135,740 or more. Harvard Law School and Yale Law School are globally famous for legal education.
Hospitality: $60,000
Surprised to see hospitality on the list? General managers of luxury resorts or directors of operations can earn over $100,000! The starting salaries can be as low as $25,500, but the more you climb the ranks and work in bigger hotels, the more you earn.
