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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