College Degrees Worth the Most Money
Concerned about your earning power after college? Read on to learn which degrees typically lead to the highest salaries, both immediately after graduation and in the long term.
Top-Earning College Majors
There are lots of intangible benefits to going to college, such as lifelong friendships, building a professional network, learning more about the world and simply enriching your life. But as college costs continue to rise, many students are wondering if the financial benefits are still worth the investment.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), earning a college degree does still lead to improved economic outcomes (www.nces.ed.gov). In 2008, NCES reported that the median annual income for individuals who had earned a bachelor's degree or higher was $55,000 for men and $45,000 for women. By contrast, adults with only a high school diploma or GED earned a median salary of $32,000 for men and $25,000 for women.
But what if you truly want to maximize your earning power? The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) tracks the average salary offers for college graduates each year (www.naceweb.org). In 2011, NACE found that engineering and computer science majors dominated the list of the highest-earning college grads:
| Major | Average Salary Offer |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $66,886 |
| Computer Science | $63,017 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $54,915 |
| Electrical & Communications Engineering | $60,646 |
| Computer Engineering | $60,112 |
| Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering | $58,549 |
| Systems Engineering | $57,497 |
| Engineering Technology | $57,176 |
| Information Sciences & Systems | $56,868 |
| Business Systems Networking & Telecommunications | $56,808 |
Source: NACE, www.naceweb.org
Long Term Salary Prospects
Of course, these figures reflect offers designed to attract the best and brightest young college graduates. When considering your long term earning prospects, it's also valuable to know what the average salary is for all professionals in the field.
| Profession | Average Salary in 2010 |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineer | $94,590 |
| Computer & Information Scientist | $100,900 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $82,480 |
| Electrical Engineer | $87,770 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $101,600 |
| Industrial Engineer | $78,450 |
| Engineers (General) | $91,770 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technician | $51,450 |
| Computer Systems Analyst (Information Science) | $81,250 |
| Computer Systems Administrator | $72,200 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov
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40 Popular Schools
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- MISO in Psychological Operations - Marketing & Human Behavior Certificate
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- Executive Graduate Certificate in Business Administration - Management Emphasis
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Doctorate
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- D.B.A. - Accounting
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- D.B.A. - Information Systems Management
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Master
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- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) - General Program
- M.S. in Human Resource Management - Functional Human Resource Management
- M.S. in Human Resource Management - Integrating Functional & Strategic Human Resource Management
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Non-Degree
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- Ed.S. in Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development
- Ed.S. in Educational Leadership & Administration (Principal Preparation) - General
- Ed.S. in Leadership for Social Change - General
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Master
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- Master of Social Work
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Bachelor
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- BBA in Business Administration Accounting
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- BBA in General Management - Human Resources
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- BBA in General Management - Project Management
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Associate
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- AAS Hospitality Management - Restaurant & Hotel Services
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- Florida (1 campus)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Master
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- Master of Science - Public Relations
- MFA in Creative Writing
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- MS in Education Media Design and Technology
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor of Science - Media Communications
- BFA in Creative Writing for Entertainment
- BS in Computer Animation
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
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Master
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- International MBA
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- International MBA in Corp Social Responsibility
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
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Master
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- MA in Teaching - Elementary Multiple Subject Teaching
- MA in Teaching - Secondary English
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- MA in Teaching - Secondary Science
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Master
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Bachelor
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Non-Degree
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- Certificate - Business Administration
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- Certificate - Network and Communications Management
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