Quick Highlights:
- Our #1 ranked high paying major to study is Petroleum Engineering, followed by Actuarial Mathematics.
- Degrees like actuarial mathematics and computer science also offer high earning potential due to specialized skills in demand.
- Engineering fields dominate the top-paying majors, including chemical and nuclear engineering, due to their specialized technical knowledge.
- Fields like economics and human resources provide strong earning opportunities, balancing interest in social sciences with financial benefits.
Approximately 62% of United States high school graduates enroll in colleges or universities.
And if you’re reading this, you’re likely thinking of your next step in life—going to college!
The decision to go to college can be one of the best choices you make. In the next four years, you will:
- Make new friends
- Learn exciting things
- Become more independent
- Graduate as an entirely different person than when you started
However, there’s always a downside. Many colleges don’t include that you’re likely to graduate with thousands of dollars worth of debt. When you’re racking up that much debt, you want to pursue a college major that can get you a high-paying job fast.
You may be wondering: what are the best degrees for high-paying jobs?
Regardless of what you may hear, a college degree does not equal financial security for the rest of your life. Earning potential varies drastically depending on the college major you choose. Sure, you should pursue a major that interests you, but you should also think about majors that will allow strong salary potential after graduation.
Here are 10 of the highest-paying college majors that allow you to do just that:
Ten High-Paying Majors to Consider
2024 Update: Two college majors lost some earning potential. Electronics and Communications Engineering and Human Resources both lost positions in this ranking. This does not necessarily mean that these industries are failing, but rather compared to the other industries they are not growing as quickly.
10. Human Resources
Human resources is another cool major that pays well, and there is no shortage of positions. Human resource professionals are needed in every single sector including:
- Healthcare
- Business
- Social Services
- Law
- Government
If you’re organized and good with people, a human resource major may be what you are looking for. Human resource professionals are responsible for hiring and training new employees in businesses.
A college major in human resources can pay off extremely well. Companies will pay human resource agents a lot of money to help them bring in the best candidates for open positions.
- Reading resumes
- Interviewing potential candidates
- Training new employees
- Maintaining a productive work environment
Salary Overview:
- Median Annual Wage (2023): $67,650
- Bottom 10%: Less than $40,000
- Top 10%: More than $108,000
Job Growth (2023–2033):
- Projected Growth: 8% (Faster than average)
- Annual Openings: Approximately 78,700
Popular Job Titles:
- Human Resources Specialist
- Recruiter
- Employee Relations Specialist
Advancement Opportunities:
- Certifications: Obtaining credentials such as the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) can enhance career prospects.
- Advanced Degrees: Pursuing a master’s degree in human resources or a related field may lead to senior positions like HR Manager or Director.
9. Biology
Interested in studying living organisms and how they all work together? Maybe a biology major is in your future.
Many individuals with a biology degree will choose to continue their education to become a doctor. However, a bachelor’s degree in biology can set you up for a pretty lucrative career. Majoring in biology can be a stepping stone into careers in:
- Research
- Laboratory management
- Health and safety administration
- Bioinformatics
- Biology teacher
Biology is a vast field with many focuses. For example, you could choose subsets of biology that interest you, such as:
- Botany (the study of plant life)
- Environmental biology (the study of the natural world)
- Evolutionary biology (the study of how biology has evolved)
- Marine biology (the study of living organisms in large bodies of water)
- Medical biology (the study of applying new research to the human body)
- Molecular biology (the study of how cells interact on a molecular level)
Whether you’re interested in science or math, biology is one of the highest-paying college majors you can pursue. Since it can easily be adapted to fit into your chosen industry, you can find a lucrative career path that is perfect for you.
Salary Overview:
- Median Annual Wage (2023): $70,600
- Bottom 10%: Less than $45,840
- Top 10%: More than $110,590
Job Growth (2023–2033):
- Projected Growth: 4% (As fast as average)
- Annual Openings: Approximately 1,500
Popular Job Titles:
- Zoologist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Biological Scientist
Advancement Opportunities:
- Advanced Degrees: Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree can lead to research positions and higher earning potential.
- Specializations: Focusing on areas such as biotechnology or environmental biology may offer additional career opportunities.
8. Economics
If you’re interested in statistics, accounting, and learning about the production, distribution, and consumption of goods, why not study economics?
Economics looks at how things are produced and how they are sold around the world. It truly is a fascinating field. As an economics major, you will study:
- The way distribution works
- How supply and demand play into one another
- The ways various companies and even countries price and produce the products they sell
So what can you do with an economics degree? Here are some options:
- Economist
- Financial risk analyst
- Data analyst
- Accountant
- Economic researcher
- Investment Analyst
An economics major boasts serious earning potential. While economic majors still involve some math and science, the application of the processes is much different than in an engineering degree.
Economics can be another great option if you’re not entirely science-oriented but still looking to make a decent salary after graduation. Political science majors, liberal arts majors, and those interested in business administration may also benefit from a dual college major in economics.
Salary Overview:
- Median Annual Wage (2023): $115,730
- Bottom 10%: Less than $63,460
- Top 10%: More than $193,690
Job Growth (2023–2033):
- Projected Growth: 5% (As fast as average)
- Annual Openings: Approximately 1,000
Popular Job Titles:
- Economist
- Economic Analyst
- Policy Analyst
Advancement Opportunities:
- Advanced Degrees: A master’s or doctoral degree can lead to higher-level research positions and academic roles.
- Specializations: Focusing on fields like econometrics or international economics may enhance career prospects.
7. Computer Science
A bachelor’s degree in computer science is usually grouped with engineering, technology, and mathematics. If you’re good with computers (and excel at math), then check out computer science majors. Undoubtedly, computer science is a major that pays well.
A positive point about majoring in computer science is that technology is always evolving, so there’s always a need for these professionals. After graduating from a computer science program, you can expect to make a pretty decent salary.
What can you do with a computer science degree? The better question is: what can’t you do?
With a computer science degree, you can become a:
- Computer systems analyst
- Computer systems designer
- Security Engineer
- Software publisher
- Product Manager
Salary Overview:
- Median Annual Wage (2023): $109,020
- Bottom 10%: Less than $65,210
- Top 10%: More than $170,100
Job Growth (2023–2033):
- Projected Growth: 15% (Much faster than average)
- Annual Openings: Approximately 40,200
Popular Job Titles:
- Software Developer
- Data Scientist
- Systems Analyst
Advancement Opportunities:
- Certifications: Obtaining credentials in areas like cybersecurity or cloud computing can enhance career prospects.
- Advanced Degrees: Pursuing a master’s degree may lead to specialized roles and higher earning potential.
6. Electronics and Communications Engineering
If you know electronics like the back of your hand and are always helping others fix their devices, check out the electronics and communications engineering major. Electronics and communications engineering cover electronic devices, circuits, transmitters, and more.
As an electronics and communications engineering student, you will need to take classes in:
- Electrical networks
- Semiconductor devices
- Digital communications
Everything in this field relates to the way we store and retrieve energy and electricity.
Electronics and communications engineers often move on to work in areas such as:
- The broadcast industry
- Radio or television
- Healthcare
- Government
- Military
Salary Overview:
- Median Annual Wage (2023): $107,540
- Bottom 10%: Less than $64,960
- Top 10%: More than $164,210
Job Growth (2023–2033):
- Projected Growth: 3% (Slower than average)
- Annual Openings: Approximately 9,000
Popular Job Titles:
- Electronics Engineer
- Communications Engineer
- Network Engineer
Advancement Opportunities:
Advanced Degrees: Pursuing a master’s degree may lead to specialized roles and higher earning potential.
Certifications: Obtaining credentials in areas like wireless communications or network security can enhance career prospects.
5. Electrical and Computer Engineering
Many tech CEOs and software developers earned their college degrees in electrical and computer engineering. That statement alone proves that electrical and computer engineering is worth the investment.
So what does the electrical and computer engineering field involve? Think of it like this: electrical and computer engineers are at the forefront of the latest technology research. They create, design, and develop new products, and there is never a dull moment in this field!
Computer and electrical engineering covers a wide range of areas, such as:
- Computers and digital systems
- Energy conversion
- Electromagnetic scattering
- Robotics
- Chip design
- Multimedia systems
The focus of this college major is on designing safer or more productive ways of doing things that can genuinely help people. Imagine being someone who creates robots that can perform surgery. Or someone who develops electric-powered cars.