This post ranks college majors by their early career salaries. The data includes respondents to the American Community Survey between 2009-2019, ages 23-30 who have a bachelor’s degree, and thus gives a glimpse into the early career outcomes by major.
See the methodology here.
- Petroleum Engineering: $117,029
- Naval Architecture And Marine Engineering: $90,872
- Nuclear Engineering: $83,105
- Mathematics And Computer Science: $82,485
- Computer Engineering: $81,520
- Actuarial Science: $80,561
- Chemical Engineering: $79,858
- Computer Science: $78,670
- Electrical Engineering: $77,853
- Mining And Mineral Engineering: $75,728
- Mechanical Engineering: $75,034
- Applied Mathematics: $75,018
- Aerospace Engineering: $73,800
- Industrial And Manufacturing Engineering: $73,366
- Economics: $73,275
- Metallurgical Engineering: $73,235
- Materials Science: $72,581
- Finance: $72,052
- General Engineering: $71,357
- Management Information Systems And Statistics: $69,690
- Construction Services: $69,590
- Biomedical Engineering: $69,482
- Miscellaneous Engineering: $69,457
- Materials Engineering And Materials Science: $69,287
- Architectural Engineering: $68,071
- Business Economics: $67,961
- Civil Engineering: $67,945
- Biological Engineering: $67,901
- Public Policy: $67,644
- Statistics And Decision Science: $67,064
- Engineering Mechanics Physics And Science: $66,927
- Geological And Geophysical Engineering: $66,722
- Electrical Engineering Technology: $66,482
- Information Sciences: $66,401
- Operations Logistics And E-Commerce: $65,665
- Engineering And Industrial Management: $64,838
- Miscellaneous Engineering Technologies: $64,624
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies: $63,563
- Computer And Information Systems: $63,299
- Mathematics: $62,781
- Physics: $62,387
- Environmental Engineering: $62,200
- Transportation Sciences And Technologies: $61,166
- Engineering Technologies: $61,019
- Accounting: $60,700
- Nursing: $60,467
- Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, And Biological Technologies: $59,896
- Computer Administration Management And Security: $59,851
- Industrial Production Technologies: $59,445
- General Business: $59,167
- International Business: $58,467
- Miscellaneous Business And Medical Administration: $58,404
- Computer Programming And Data Processing: $58,275
- Food Science: $57,810
- Miscellaneous Social Sciences: $57,394
- Marketing And Marketing Research: $56,949
- Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences And Administration: $56,861
- Business Management And Administration: $55,787
- Agricultural Economics: $55,674
- International Relations: $55,424
- Computer Networking And Telecommunications: $55,222
- Political Science And Government: $54,746
- Agriculture Production And Management: $54,689
- Medical Technologies Technicians: $54,583
- Pharmacology: $54,445
- Electrical, Mechanical, And Precision Technologies And Production: $54,223
- Architecture: $53,967
- Geosciences: $53,755
- Advertising And Public Relations: $53,679
- Astronomy And Astrophysics: $53,059
- Court Reporting: $52,771
- Human Resources And Personnel Management: $52,598
- Medical Assisting Services: $52,340
- Industrial And Organizational Psychology: $52,012
- Molecular Biology: $51,947
- Military Technologies: $51,236
- Chemistry: $50,709
- Multi-Disciplinary Or General Science: $50,649
- Cognitive Science And Biopsychology: $50,620
- Atmospheric Sciences And Meteorology: $50,512
- Miscellaneous Agriculture: $50,131
- Communications: $50,121
- Pre-Law And Legal Studies: $49,735
- General Agriculture: $49,678
- Microbiology: $49,215
- Miscellaneous Biology: $48,954
- Biochemical Sciences: $48,827
- Journalism: $48,732
- Clinical Psychology: $48,403
- Genetics: $48,320
- Plant Science And Agronomy: $48,241
- Geography: $48,086
- Neuroscience: $47,876
- Criminal Justice And Fire Protection: $47,784
- Forestry: $47,663
- Hospitality Management: $47,644
- History: $47,392
- French German Latin And Other Common Foreign Language Studies: $47,390
- Intercultural And International Studies: $47,333
- Soil Science: $46,995
- Health And Medical Administrative Services: $46,991
- Commercial Art And Graphic Design: $46,760
- Criminology: $46,653
- Other Foreign Languages: $46,644
- Philosophy And Religious Studies: $46,517
- Physical Sciences: $46,341
- Health And Medical Preparatory Programs: $46,298
- Miscellaneous Education: $45,966
- Geology And Earth Science: $45,913
- Sociology: $45,874
- Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: $45,753
- Public Administration: $45,706
- Mass Media: $45,660
- Oceanography: $45,654
- Communication Technologies: $45,494
- Physiology: $45,457
- Treatment Therapy Professions: $45,041
- Area Ethnic And Civilization Studies: $45,022
- Art History And Criticism: $44,909
- Environmental Science: $44,900
- General Social Sciences: $44,599
- Biology: $44,263
- Nutrition Sciences: $44,225
- Social Psychology: $43,691
- School Student Counseling: $43,586
- Miscellaneous Fine Arts: $43,567
- Liberal Arts: $43,518
- Film Video And Photographic Arts: $43,233
- United States History: $43,204
- Community And Public Health: $43,069
- Natural Resources Management: $43,031
- English Language And Literature: $42,996
- Mathematics Teacher Education: $42,663
- Physical Fitness Parks Recreation And Leisure: $42,529
- Botany: $42,524
- Psychology: $42,365
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies: $42,330
- General Education: $42,213
- General Medical And Health Services: $41,983
- Animal Sciences: $41,684
- Secondary Teacher Education: $41,487
- Science And Computer Teacher Education: $41,410
- Miscellaneous Health Medical Professions: $41,406
- Fine Arts: $40,976
- Physical And Health Education Teaching: $40,954
- Special Needs Education: $40,711
- Language And Drama Education: $40,173
- Linguistics And Comparative Language And Literature: $40,034
- Miscellaneous Psychology: $39,832
- Cosmetology Services And Culinary Arts: $39,670
- Social Science Or History Teacher Education: $39,614
- Art And Music Education: $39,511
- Family And Consumer Sciences: $39,450
- Teacher Education: Multiple Levels: $39,319
- Anthropology And Archeology: $39,051
- Humanities: $38,927
- Human Services And Community Organization: $38,751
- Educational Psychology: $38,450
- Ecology: $38,258
- Music: $38,251
- Composition And Rhetoric: $38,121
- Elementary Education: $38,028
- Social Work: $37,628
- Theology And Religious Vocations: $37,591
- Communication Disorders Sciences And Services: $37,401
- Zoology: $37,204
- Visual And Performing Arts: $37,171
- Counseling Psychology: $37,122
- Drama And Theater Arts: $37,108
- Early Childhood Education: $37,033
- Studio Arts: $35,833
- Library Science: $33,723
- Educational Administration And Supervision: $31,358
