We all want our kids to choose a career that makes them happy. If it happens to pay well, that certainly doesn’t hurt. But for college students who need to choose a major, salary expectations are often a top consideration – so you might start hearing about these 10 areas of study.
CNBC Make It recently reported on the 10 highest-paying college majors of 2019, pointing out that a college student’s major of choice “has a greater influence on your future postgraduate earnings and career success” than where you go to college.
The article highlights rankings from Payscale.com’s College Salary Report, which uses data from grads at more than 2,500 schools to find out what they’re earning early and mid-way in their careers, CNBC reports. Here’s a look at which majors ranked highest.
10. Aeronautics and astronautics
This career field focuses on engineering related to the development of aircraft and spacecraft.
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $73,100
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $131,600
9. Pharmacy
Dispensing medications is just one role that pharmacy majors might take on in their career. They can also work in research, hospital settings or in drug development and more.
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $79,600
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $132,500
8. Business analysis
People who graduate with a degree in business analysis can take on a wide range of roles, like bridging the gap between business operations and software technology for IT companies.
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $57,200
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $133,200
7. Electrical power engineering
Professionals in this growing career field design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment.
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $72,400
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $134,700
6. Actuarial mathematics
Actuaries “analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty,” the U.S. Department of Labor explains, and many graduates work for insurance companies – though there are many career paths available.
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $63,300
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $135,100
5. Political economy
People with this degree may work in roles such as financial managers, lobbyists, economists or marketing research analysts.
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $57,600
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $136,200
4. Operations research
Graduates with this major are trained to use “advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations investigate complex issues, identify and solve problems and make better decisions,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $77,900
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $137,100
3. Applied economics and management
Cornell describes this major as focusing on skills to “solve the world’s most significant business and social issues.”
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $58,900
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $140,000
2. Electrical engineering and computer science
“Electrical engineers and computer scientists are everywhere,” MIT notes, and this major can lead to career paths in everything from electronic circuits and systems to artificial intelligence and robotics.
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $88,000
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $142,200
1. Petroleum engineering
Petroleum engineers “design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth’s surface,” the Department of Labor explains. “Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells.”
- Median salary for alumni with 0-5 years of experience: $94,500
- Median salary for alumni with 10-plus years of experience: $176,900
Are you surprised by the results or are these highest paying college majors what you’d expect? Tell us in the comments.
