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The Highest-Earning Degrees Right Out of College

Information Systems & Management ($57,000)

Information Systems & Management ($57,000)

Blending IT with business strategy, a degree in Information Systems and Management equips students to oversee technology systems that align with organizational goals. Coursework often includes cybersecurity, systems analysis, and project management, preparing graduates to tackle technology challenges with a strategic mindset.

Graduates earn a median salary of $57,000, with strong growth potential as technology continues to drive business innovation. Roles like IT project manager or business systems analyst allow professionals to shape the digital backbone of companies. 

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Accounting ($60,000)

Accounting ($60,000)

With a starting salary of $60,000, accounting graduates find opportunities in public accounting firms, corporate finance departments, and government roles. Accountants are essential for maintaining transparency and ensuring sustainable financial practices.

Accounting is the backbone of financial operations, offering expertise in auditing, budgeting, and compliance. Students in this major study principles of financial reporting, tax systems, and cost management, making them indispensable to business operations. The degree also emphasizes attention to detail and ethical decision-making.

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Engineering Technologies ($60,000)

Engineering Technologies ($60,000)

Engineering Technologies is an applied field that bridges the gap between theoretical engineering and hands-on implementation. Graduates start their careers with a median salary of $60,000, offering a secure foothold in industries like robotics, electronics, and aerospace. These professionals play a crucial role in improving production efficiency and integrating new technologies, making them valuable assets to companies navigating a tech-driven landscape.

Students learn technical skills related to automation, manufacturing, and quality control, preparing them to optimize industrial processes. This degree places an emphasis on innovation without losing sight of practicality.

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Physical Science ($60,000)

Physical Science ($60,000)

Physical Sciences encompasses fields like geology, environmental science, and meteorology. This diverse major equips students to study and improve the world’s natural systems, focusing on topics like climate change, natural resource management, and renewable energy.

With a starting salary of $60,000, graduates find opportunities in industries ranging from energy and environmental consulting to government agencies. Their work can involve anything from creating sustainable energy solutions to predicting weather patterns. A career in physical sciences is ideal for those passionate about the environment and eager to make tangible contributions to global preservation efforts.

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Nursing ($62,000)

Nursing ($62,000)

Nursing is a vocation where science meets compassion, preparing professionals to care for patients in various settings. This degree covers essential topics such as anatomy, pharmacology, and public health alongside clinical training in patient care. Students learn how to respond to medical emergencies, assist in surgeries, and provide emotional support, shaping them into versatile healthcare providers.

New nurses earn a starting salary of around $62,000, with higher earning potential as they specialize in areas like anesthesiology or pediatrics. The global healthcare industry consistently seeks skilled nurses, ensuring job security. 

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Pharmacy ($64,000)

Pharmacy ($64,000)

Pharmacists begin with a median salary of $64,000, reflecting the field’s demand and responsibility. Pharmacists are critical in hospitals, retail settings, and research labs, ensuring safe and effective medication use. Additionally, specialties like clinical pharmacy or pharmacovigilance offer lucrative paths for further growth. 

In school, students learn about drug development, interactions, and therapeutic applications, including the ethical responsibilities of administering medications. With a focus on improving patient outcomes, this degree fosters both technical expertise and empathy.

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Mathematics ($65,000)

Mathematics ($65,000)

Mathematics is a degree that unlocks the power of logical reasoning and abstraction. Students tackle complex equations, proofs, and models to understand the foundations of various natural and technological phenomena. Beyond its theoretical components, mathematics has numerous applications in fields like cryptography, machine learning, and operations research. 

Graduates enter the workforce with versatile skills that command a starting salary of $65,000. Careers include roles like actuaries, data scientists, and statisticians, all of which benefit from a mathematician’s keen analytical abilities. This degree is a springboard to opportunities in finance, technology, and academia, where problem-solving and precision are critical. 

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Business Analytics ($65,000)

Business Analytics ($65,000)

A starting salary of $70,000 reflects the growing demand for professionals who can turn raw data into actionable insights. Business analysts find roles across industries like finance, retail, healthcare, and tech. 

Business Analytics focuses on leveraging data to drive powerful decision-making in organizations. This degree equips students with a blend of technical skills, including data visualization, statistical modeling, and predictive analysis, along with business acumen to evaluate operational performance or market trends.

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Construction Services ($70,000)

Construction Services ($70,000)

A degree in Construction Services prepares students to manage building projects from conception to completion. It blends technical skills like project planning, budgeting, and safety management with leadership and problem-solving abilities. Students often learn about materials science, construction law, and site management, enabling them to handle both the technical and logistical aspects of large-scale projects. 

Starting with a median salary of $70,000, graduates have the opportunity to grow quickly in roles such as construction managers, site supervisors, or project coordinators. With the global emphasis on infrastructure development and green construction practices, Construction Services professionals are in high demand.

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Economics ($70,000)

Economics ($70,000)

Economics is a field that dives deep into understanding how individuals, businesses, and governments allocate resources to meet their needs and achieve growth. Students in this major explore topics like supply and demand, market structures, international trade, and economic policy. 

Graduates with an economics degree enjoy strong job prospects and competitive salaries, starting around $70,000 annually. This high earning potential stems from the wide application of economic principles in industries like finance, consulting, and government. Economists often work in roles such as policy advisors, market analysts, or investment consultants. 

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Finance ($70,000)

Finance ($70,000)

Finance is the art of managing money and investments. Students explore topics like portfolio management and financial markets, preparing them for fields like investment banking, wealth management, and corporate finance.

Entry-level salaries of $70,000 reflect the high stakes and demand in this industry. Finance professionals often enjoy accelerated growth, with opportunities to climb corporate ladders while earning substantial bonuses.

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Physics ($70,000)

Physics ($70,000)

Studying Physics unravels the laws governing the universe. This degree involves hands-on experimentation and modeling, equipping graduates to apply their knowledge in areas like renewable energy or medical physics.

Earning $70,000 on average as a starting salary, physics majors leverage their critical thinking and analytical skills in industries ranging from aerospace to tech development.

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Civil Engineering ($71,000)

Civil Engineering ($71,000)

Civil Engineering builds the infrastructure that keeps our world running. From designing highways and bridges to overseeing urban planning, students cover construction management and geotechnics.

With a $71,000 median starting salary, civil engineers bring tangible change to urban landscapes. Their expertise provides job satisfaction and significant earning potential while contributing to society’s backbone.

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Mechanical Engineering ($75,000)

Mechanical Engineering ($75,000)

Mechanical Engineering centers on designing and building machines, from engines to robotics. This broad field offers flexibility, covering mechanics, materials science, and thermodynamics.

Graduates enjoy a solid start with a $75,000 median salary. Whether creating renewable energy solutions or enhancing automotive safety features, mechanical engineers find themselves addressing critical challenges while advancing technology.

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Aerospace Engineering ($76,000)

Aerospace Engineering ($76,000)

Aerospace Engineering propels innovation in aviation and space exploration. Covering fluid dynamics, material science, and propulsion, this degree enables graduates to work on aircraft, spacecraft, or defense systems.

With a starting salary of $76,000, the sky isn’t the limit for aerospace engineers. They play pivotal roles in shaping futuristic air and space travel, making it a prestigious and high-earning degree.

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Industrial Engineering ($76,000)

Industrial Engineering ($76,000)

Industrial Engineering optimizes systems and processes, blending engineering with human factors. Students master supply chain efficiency, ergonomics, and lean manufacturing. Industrial engineers help companies streamline operations, blending science with business.

Graduates earn a median $76,000 annually, particularly in sectors like logistics, healthcare, and retail. With problem-solving opportunities abound, this flexible field ensures financial stability and professional variety.

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Electrical Engineering ($78,000)

Electrical Engineering ($78,000)

Electrical Engineering focuses on electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. Students might design anything from renewable energy systems to advanced robotics. The field’s applicability spans telecommunication, healthcare, and transportation, making it one of the most diverse engineering disciplines.

Starting salaries of $78,000 highlight the value of this expertise. Whether working on smart grids or next-gen medical tech, electrical engineers are instrumental in driving technological progress while enjoying stable, lucrative career paths.

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Computer Science ($78,000)

Computer Science ($78,000)

Computer Science equips students with skills to master programming languages, data structures, and algorithms, opening doors to careers like software development, cyber security, and data analytics. With technology being the backbone of modern life, the demand for computer scientists remains robust.

New graduates can expect to earn a median salary of $78,000, with endless growth in roles such as software engineers and AI specialists. Whether you’re coding groundbreaking apps or securing digital ecosystems, this degree ensures a financially rewarding and impactful future.

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Chemical Engineering ($79,000)

Chemical Engineering ($79,000)

Chemical Engineering is all about transforming raw materials into valuable products like fuels, food, and pharmaceuticals. Students learn process optimization, thermodynamics, and biochemistry, making them highly versatile professionals. Whether in industrial plants or research labs, chemical engineers ensure the world’s systems run efficiently and sustainably.

Graduates start with a median salary of $79,000, reflecting industry demand. Environmental engineering, energy production, and biotechnology are just a few fields where this expertise thrives. This dynamic career offers both financial incentives and the satisfaction of addressing global challenges.

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Computer Engineering ($80,000)

Computer Engineering ($80,000)

Computer Engineering blends hardware design and software development, equipping students to create cutting-edge technology. This degree focuses on topics like circuit design, microprocessors, and system architecture. Graduates are in high demand across industries, from tech giants like Apple and Intel to embedded systems in automotive and manufacturing sectors.

The earning potential is a testament to its relevance. New graduates earn a median salary of $80,000, with opportunities to work on game-changing technologies like AI-driven devices and cloud computing. With this degree, you’re at the intersection of innovation and practicality, paving the way for a lucrative, impactful career.

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