The top-ten majors were the following:
- Computer Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Aerospace Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- General Engineering
- Miscellaneous Engineering
- Finance
The list of majors was completed by Civil Engineering, Economics, Business Analytics, Mathematics, Construction Services, and Pharmacy, respectively.
Clearly, engineering majors are among the most sought-after and well-paid graduates, which continues to demonstrate the fact that businesses, whether established companies or startups in a wide variety of fields, are looking for engineers to innovate and develop. As employers continue to seek innovation and innovative minds, an engineering – or other STEM degree – could be the fast-track to financial and professional success that every new graduate seeks.
Alongside engineering majors are Computer Science majors, who are also among the most sought-after candidates on the market and among the highest paid. The National Association of College Employers (NACE) recently published their Winter 2024 Salary Survey, which showed that the salary projection for engineering majors is $76,736 and that for computer science majors is $74,778. Demand for both engineering and computer science majors remains relatively high, which will only further the ability of graduates in these fields to find employment and higher wages compared to those in other majors, such as the humanities or business.
Business occupies a unique place in the field of college majors and surveys of average salaries. CNBC’s survey did not include a general business major in its list, yet three business-related majors – finance, economics, and business analytics – were included. The NACE included business in its Salary Survey, yet their 2024 salary projection was only $63,907, lower than even the salary projections of humanities majors – which stood at $68,227. This is largely attributable to the fact that, as can be the case at times with computer science, a general business degree is too broad to enable one to find a specialization or specific focus they would like to pursue in their first employment opportunities. As the CNBC survey shows, those that want to go into business will certainly have a leg up if they pursue majors focused on more specific or specialized areas of business such as business analytics – which is focused on using data to drive decision-making and is only increasing in both demand and job opportunities.
Sources:
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/14/highest-paying-college-majors-5-years-after-graduation.html