1. Chemical Engineering

• Average Starting Salary: $59,218

Chemical engineering majors can work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, health care and business. In addition to working with chemistry to solve engineering problems, chemical engineers design equipment and develop other new products. Schools that have programs with strong reputations in chemical engineering include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Minnesota.

2. Electrical Engineering

• Average Starting Salary: $55,333

Electrical engineering majors usually focus on the design and development of the electrical equipment used in automobiles, aircraft and electric utilities. Most electrical engineers specialize in electrical equipment or power systems and work in a wide variety of industries. Good schools for electrical engineers include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University.

3. Mechanical Engineering

• Average Starting Salary: $54,057

Unlike most engineers, mechanical engineers do a little bit of everything. Primary work involves the design and development of power-producing machines (gas turbines, steam engines, electric generators, etc.) Mechanical engineering majors can work in a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture and business. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley are among the schools that have world renowned mechanical engineering programs.

4. Computer Science

• Average Starting Salary: $53,051

Computer science majors work with all aspects of computer systems. Computer scientists are employed in every sector of the economy, but many choose to work in design or research. Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Carnegie Mellon University all have top-ranked computer science programs.

5. Civil Engineering

• Average Starting Salary: $48,998

Civil engineering majors design buildings, transportation systems, water systems and other construction projects. Most civil engineers specialize in one of the six main civil engineering disciplines: construction, environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation and water resources. Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Illinois are three schools with top-ranked civil engineering programs.

6. Economics

• Average Starting Salary: $47,782

Economics majors tend to focus on collecting and analyzing data. Most work in research or consulting; more than half are employed through the government. Top schools for economics majors include Harvard, the University of Chicago and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

7. Management Information Systems

• Average Starting Salary: $47,407

Management information systems majors work in all areas of business to help computerized organizations function more effectively. Three of the best schools for management information systems are Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Texas at Austin and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

8. Finance

• Average Starting Salary: $46,442

Financial professionals work with money, stocks, bonds and all sorts of other market assets. Most finance majors work in banks, in government or in the finance departments of firms and other financial institutions. Top schools for finance majors include the University of Pennsylvania, New York University and the University of California at Berkeley.

9. Accounting

• Average Starting Salary: $46,292

Accountants carry out fundamental financial tasks for individuals and organizations. Most accounting majors secure a position in one of four fields after graduation: government accounting, internal auditing, public accounting or management accounting. The University of Pennsylvania, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are just three of the many schools in the U.S. with respected accounting programs.

10. Business Administration/Management

• Average Starting Salary: $43,256

Business administration has been one of the most popular college majors for years. Students who major in business administration and management can start their own company or work in virtually any industry imaginable. The University of Pennsylvania, the University of Virginia and Notre Dame are just a few of the schools known for having top-notch business administration programs.

Starting salary information courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers' (NACE) most recent Salary Survey.