When it comes to going to school, you want to make sure the degree you’re investing in will pay dividends for years to come.
We’re in an age when there’s a real disconnect between skill sets and job openings. That’s created a lot of demand in some high-paying fields.
Many of the job openings that are going unfilled require continual training and new skills. STEM jobs — which involve the fields of science, technology, engineering and math — are particularly hot right now.
So if you’re still in your degree-seeking days, consider these fields below. Glassdoor took a look at which majors pay the most during the first five years out of college. You’ll get a sense of which fields of study are worth the time and money…
Top 50 highest-paying college majors during the first 5 years out of school
Major | Median base salary |
Computer Science | $70,000 |
Electrical Engineering | $68,438 |
Mechanical Engineering | $68,000 |
Chemical Engineering | $65,000 |
Industrial Engineering | $64,381 |
Information Technology | $64,008 |
Civil Engineering | $61,500 |
Statistics | $60,000 |
Nursing | $58,928 |
Management Information Systems | $58,000 |
Finance | $54,900 |
Mathematics | $54,018 |
Biomedical Engineering | $52,814 |
Accounting | $52,000 |
Economics | $52,000 |
Physics | $50,000 |
Biotechnology | $50,000 |
Architecture | $50,000 |
Fashion Design | $50,000 |
Business | $47,850 |
International Relations | $45,880 |
Graphic Design | $45,846 |
Marketing | $45,475 |
English | $45,000 |
Political Science | $45,000 |
History | $45,000 |
Human Resources | $45,000 |
Journalism | $45,000 |
Advertising | $45,000 |
Philosophy | $45,000 |
Environmental Science | $45,000 |
Social Science | $45,000 |
Spanish | $44,256 |
Communications | $44,190 |
Interior Design | $44,098 |
Chemistry | $44,000 |
Music | $44,000 |
Film Studies | $44,000 |
Public Relations | $43,156 |
Sports Management | $43,156 |
Education | $43,000 |
Anthropology | $43,000 |
Hospitality Management | $42,734 |
Biochemistry | $42,672 |
Liberal Arts | $42,500 |
Psychology | $42,000 |
Sociology | $42,000 |
Health Care Administration | $42,000 |
Social Work | $41,656 |
Biology | $41,250 |
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