The 16 highest-paying college majors, 5 years after graduation (2024)

FAQs

What is the highest paying college major after 5 years? ›

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.

No surprise, majoring in engineering and finance yields the biggest paydays five years after graduating college, while majoring in liberal arts or performing arts pays the least.

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.

Chemical Engineering

This major is consistently one of the highest-paying. Chemical engineering students learn to create new technologies involving chemicals, drugs, and other products.

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 degree is most in demand in the future? ›

According to a 2021 paper in the Columbia Economic Review, pursuing a double major almost always predicts greater earnings than pursuing either major alone. A combination of business and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), two business majors or two STEM majors will be the most lucrative.

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.

Double Major: Overview. Five years for two bachelor's, five years for a bachelor's and a master's, and three years for two master's. The same amount of time it takes for a single-major degree.

College majors with the highest and lowest return

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.

Bachelor's or Baccalaureate Degree

Bachelor's degrees require students to complete four- or five-year programs in a specific academic discipline. The two most common types of bachelor's degrees are bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS).