- Using data from Payscale and OneClass, we found the 25 college majors with the highest average salaries.
- Because this list excludes graduate-school degrees, engineering majors dominated the ranking.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
With back-to-school season around the corner, college students may be feeling the stress of picking the right dorm roommate, the right classes, and most importantly, the right major. For those who don’t know what to do with their careers, it may help to pick the major that promises the biggest paycheck.
Using data that OneClass compiled from PayScale, we found the 25 college majors with the highest average mid-career salaries. We also noted early career salaries, possible careers with that major, and a “high meaning” rating, based on the percentage of workers who said their jobs made the world a better place. Graduate school degrees were excluded, so most well-paying bachelor’s degree holders are engineers.
You may find your major or career on this list. Or, if you’re still deciding on a major, you may find one that’s right for you.
Managerial economics majors have a mid-career salary of $117,800 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Asset management researcher, cash management specialist, commercial credit analyst, consultant, corporate finance associate.
Early career pay: $60,800
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 38%
Source: Bentley University
Engineering science majors have a mid-career salary of $118,000 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Civil engineer, design drafter, software test engineer, industrial engineer.
Early career pay: $63,900
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 39%
Source: Zippia
Electrical engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $118,100 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Aerospace engineering, bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, engineering management.
Early career pay: $69,900
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 52%
Source: Worldwide Learn
Construction engineering management majors have a mid-career salary of $118,200 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Building control surveyor, building services engineer, building surveyor, construction manager, estates manager, quantity surveyor, site engineer, sustainability consultant.
Early career pay: $64,000
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 45%
Source: Prospects
Engineering physics majors have a mid-career salary of $119,100 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Accelerator operator, applications engineer, data analyst, design engineer, high school physics teacher.
Early career pay: $65,400
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 48%
Source: Ohio State University
Computer engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $120,000 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Computer programmer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, industrial engineer.
Early career pay: $72,600
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 45%
Source: Learn How to Become
Computer science and engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $120,100 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Software developer, database administrator, computer hardware engineer, computer systems analyst, computer network architect, web developer.
Early career pay: $74,000
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 44%
Source: The Balance Careers
Electrical and computer engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $120,400 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Computer network architects, software developers, computer hardware engineers.
Early career pay: $71,100
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 51%
Source: Computer Science Online
Ocean engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $121,200 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Ocean engineer, naval architect, structural engineer, marine engineer, mechanical engineer.
Early career pay: $68,900
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: N/A
Source: Florida Institute of Technology
Nuclear engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $121,700 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Electrical engineer, machinist mate, radiological engineer.
Early career pay: $70,700
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 59%
Source: Zippia
Electrical power engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $122,300 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Power engineer, utilities engineer.
Early career pay: $71,300
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 65%
Source: All About Careers
Aeronautical engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $122,500 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Commercial aerospace engineers, spacecraft designers, engineering, science and data processing managers, inspectors and compliance officers, mechanical engineers.
Early career pay: $67,900
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 70%
Source: Worldwide Learn
Actuarial science majors have a mid-career salary of $123,500 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Actuary
Early career pay: $62,700
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 45%
Source: Etched Actuarial
Marine engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $126,500 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Marine mechanical engineer, waterfront project engineer.
Early career pay: $72,600
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 73%
Source: College Grad
(Tie) Chemical Engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $126,900 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Chemical engineer
Early career pay: $71,800
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 54%
Source: College grad
(Tie) Economics and mathematics majors have a mid-career salary of $126,900 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Cryptographer, mathematician, economist, actuary, financial planner.
Early career pay: $63,200
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 36%
Source: Richmond School of Arts and Sciences
Business analysis majors have a mid-career salary of $129,800 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Consultant, solution architect role or a pre-sales consultant, product manager, lead business analyst, project manager.
Early career pay: $53,400
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 49%
Source: BA Times
Systems engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $131,200 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Computer science, software engineering, information systems, computer networking.
Early career pay: $70,800
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 52%
Source: The Balance Careers
Aeronautics and astronautics majors have a mid-career salary of $133,300 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Aeronautical engineer, astronautical engineer.
Early career pay: $71,400
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 52%
Source: All About Careers
(Tie) Building science majors have a mid-career salary of $135,000 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Building scientist, code official, fire protection engineer, sustainability specialist.
Early career pay: $50,700
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 33%
Source: WBDG
(Tie) Public accounting majors have a mid-career salary of $135,000 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Public accountant
Early career pay: $60,700
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 51%
Source: AICPA
Chemical and biomolecular engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $138,100 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Chemical engineer, biomolecular engineer.
Early career pay: $71,900
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 42%
Source: University of Maryland
Actuarial mathematics majors have a mid-career salary of $158,100 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Actuary.
Early career pay: $54,700
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 46%
Source: Etched Actuarial
Operations research and industrial engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $166,300 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Industrial engineer.
Early career pay: $79,600
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: N/A
Source: College Grad
Petroleum engineering majors have a mid-career salary of $183,600 a year
Possible jobs with this major: Information specialist, petroleum engineer.
Early career pay: $82,700
Percentage of workers who say their job makes the world a better place: 60%
Source: College Grad