The numbers don’t lie: Not all college degrees are created equal. If you want to make a lot of money out of college, choosing the right major will help kickstart that money-making career.
Whether you’re passionate about numbers, technology, or healthcare, there’s likely a major that suits your interests and your wallet. Let’s explore which fields offer the most lucrative opportunities for recent graduates.
According to a recent study, here are the top 10 highest-paying majors five years out of college.
Chemical engineering ($133,000)
Chemical engineers are wizards. They use science and math to determine how to turn raw materials into useful products like medicine, food, fuel, and cosmetics.
Imagine you have a big puzzle where you need to mix ingredients in just the right way to make something awesome. Chemical engineers do this, but instead of puzzle pieces, they use chemicals and machines.
These smart folks work in all sorts of places, like factories, labs, and even offices. They’re behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely. They also care a lot about the environment, figuring out ways to make processes cleaner and greener.
Computer engineering ($125,000)
Computer engineers work behind the scenes to ensure your gadgets work like magic. They design, develop, and test all the cool stuff that makes computers tick.
These brainiacs don’t just stop at making things work; they’re always looking for ways to improve them. They spend their days solving tricky problems, like how to make computers faster, more efficient, and able to do new things. Computer engineers wear many hats, from coding to circuit design, to ensure the digital world spins smoothly.
Aerospace engineering ($120,000)
If math is your strong suit, a career in aerospace engineering might be up your alley. Aerospace engineers are like the architects and builders of flying things, such as airplanes, helicopters, and spacecraft. These engineers ensure that planes can glide smoothly through the sky, helicopters can hover without wobbling too much, and rockets can zoom into space without hiccups.
Their job involves using computers to design wings that are just the right shape for planes to soar effortlessly, figuring out how to make engines more powerful yet fuel-efficient, and ensuring that every part of a spacecraft can survive the extreme conditions of outer space.
Aerospace engineers work in teams, brainstorming ideas, doing calculations, and running tests to make sure that everything they create is safe, reliable, and ready to take on the challenges of flying high above the clouds or venturing into the great unknown of space.
Electrical engineering ($112,000)
Electrical engineers work their magic with electricity and technology. Their job is designing, creating, and fixing things that use electricity to work, like computers, smartphones, and power grids.
Imagine your phone suddenly stops charging or your Wi-Fi goes out – that’s when electrical engineers swoop in to save the day. They figure out why things aren’t working and devise clever solutions. They’re the brains behind the gadgets we rely on daily, ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely.
Mechanical engineering ($111,000)
Mechanical engineers work with machines. They use their brainpower to design, create, and fix all sorts of moving things, from tiny gears in watches to massive engines in cars.
Ever wonder how that roller coaster you love zipping around on stays safe? Thank a mechanical engineer for designing it! These clever folks use their knowledge of physics, math, and materials to make sure everything works smoothly and efficiently.
If it moves and is made of parts, a mechanical engineer probably made it happen. They’re the ones who make sure your bike pedals smoothly, your washing machine spins just right, and even that your toaster pops up your bread at the perfect moment.
Computer science ($110,000)
Computer scientists write software like the browser you’re reading this from.
They’re the ones who figure out how to make computers do all sorts of amazing things. Think of them as problem solvers who use their brains to create programs, apps, and systems that help people in their everyday lives.
These tech wizards work on all sorts of cool stuff. They might write code to make websites work smoothly, design algorithms to help search engines find the information you need, or even develop artificial intelligence that can learn and adapt independently.
Finance ($104,000)
After graduating with a finance degree, there are many paths you can take. Some finance majors go on to work in banks, helping people manage their money, applying for loans, or investing in stocks and bonds. Others might work for big companies, where they analyze financial data to help the company make smart decisions about where to invest or how to cut costs.
No matter where they end up, finance majors often need to keep learning even after college. The world of finance is always changing, with new technologies and regulations constantly popping up.
Whether through on-the-job training or returning to school for a higher degree, staying up-to-date is crucial for success.
Industrial engineering ($100,000)
Industrial engineers analyze processes to find ways to save time, money, and resources. For example, they might figure out the best layout for a factory floor so workers can move around quickly and safely. Or they might develop schedules that ensure machines are always running at full capacity, cutting down on wasted time.
Industrial engineers also help with quality control, ensuring products meet high standards before reaching customers. They’re all about making things work better, faster, and smarter.
Note: 6 other majors were tied with industrial engineering at $100,000, including General engineering, Miscellaneous engineering, Civil engineering, Economics, Business analytics, and Construction services.
Source of The Numbers
These numbers came from a recent study from the New York Federal Reserve. Here’s a link to where the study was published.