15 bachelor’s degree majors with starting pay of $50,000-plus

Four-year college graduates will earn $1 million more in their lifetime than those with a high-school diploma, but some college graduates will get a head start on reaching that six-figure advantage. The National Association of Colleges and Employers released the starting salaries by academic major for bachelor’s degree graduates.

The list below includes the 15 top-paying majors with average starting pay of more than $50,000 a year. All starting pay levels listed increased by at least 2 percent, an encouraging sign that the job market is improving for college grads.

1. Computer engineering
Average starting salary: $70,400
Percent change: 3.8

2. Chemical engineering
Average starting salary: $66,400
Percent change: 3.6

3. Computer science
Average starting salary: $64,400
Percent change: 3.7

4. Aeronautical Engineer
Average starting salary: $64,000
Percent change: 3.6

5. Mechanical engineering
Average starting salary: $62,900
Percent change: 4.0

6. Electrical/electronics and communications engineering
Average starting salary: $62,300
Percent change: 3.8

7. Civil engineering
Average starting salary: $57,700
Percent change: 2.5

8. Finance
Average starting salary: $57,300
Percent change: 4.6

9. Construction science/management
Average starting salary: $56,600
Percent change: 2.9

10. Information sciences and systems
Average starting salary: $56,100
Percent change: 3.9

11. Economics (business/managerial)
Average starting salary: $55,800
Percent change: 4.3

12. Business administration/management
Average starting salary: $55,200
Percent change: 4.2

13. Accounting
Average starting salary: $52,900
Percent change: 4.1

14. Nursing
Average starting salary: $52,200
Percent change: 3.8

15. Marketing/marketing management (including marketing research)
Average starting salary: $51,000
Percent change: 4.7


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