What to study to get a high salary: 25 most profitable specialties

As of January 2025, the outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. is $1,77 trillion. It’s no surprise that future college students will start monitoring data on which majors pay the most after graduation, writes MSN.

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According to U.S. News and World Report, the vast majority of occupations with the highest starting salaries are in STEM fields, with computer engineering and computer science being the highest paying.

However, not all of the most lucrative majors are in STEM—they also include fields in the social sciences and medicine, such as political economics, pharmaceuticals, and econometrics.

We present to your attention a rating of 25 specialties leading to the highest paid professions.

The rankings are based on the median mid-career salary for bachelor's degree holders in each of these fields, or the income expected after 10 years of continuous work in that field.

If several specialties have the same average salaries, priority is given to higher income early in a career (in the first five years of work).

On the subject: It's not worth it: US college costs are higher than many professionals' lifetime salaries after graduation

#25. Computer Science and Engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $131
• Early Career Salary: $79
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 44%

Computer Science and Engineering is a hybrid major that allows graduates to work in both hardware and software. This allows them to explore areas that require an understanding of both disciplines, such as supercomputers, high-performance computing, parallel processing, and embedded systems.

This major focuses on computers as a unified system, rather than individual components or functions. Graduates of this program have contributed to the development of smartphones and smart devices, supercomputers and artificial intelligence systems, virtual and augmented reality platforms, and graphics rendering software.

#24. Marine Engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $131
• Early Career Salary: $79
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 60%

Marine engineers apply engineering principles such as computer science and electrical engineering to the design and operation of ship propulsion and onboard systems. This includes marine power systems, control systems, and navigation platforms for both surface ships and submarines. Important aspects of marine engineering include pollution control techniques and protection of ship hulls from fouling.

#23. Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $131
• Early Career Salary: $78
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 49%

Another hybrid major, electrical and computer engineering, studies computer technology from an electronics perspective. The program examines the role electronic components play in computer design and how improving their efficiency can improve computing performance. Majors in this field may work in robotics, electric motor design, computer component manufacturing, motherboard design, biomedical engineering, and control systems.

#22. Computer Systems Engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $133
• Early Career Salary: $79
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 51%

Designing, testing, and evaluating software and computer technology to create secure and stable systems for customers is the field of computer systems engineering. This profession requires analytical and communication skills.

№21. Political Economy

• Mid-Career Salary: $133
• Early Career Salary: $65
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 29%

Political economy is a branch of political science that studies the impact of government economic policies on society. Most entry-level positions require a master's degree in public policy, political science, or public administration.

#20. Actuarial Sciences

• Mid-Career Salary: $134
• Early Career Salary: $67
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 43%

Actuarial sciences study risk. Actuaries use statistics to assess risks in insurance funds, financial markets, and other areas to calculate insurance premiums, determine the terms of insurance products, and predict mortality rates in a given population. Graduates of this specialty work in insurance companies, government agencies, and the financial and banking sectors.

#19. Cognitive Sciences

• Mid-Career Salary: $135
• Early Career Salary: $68
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 42%

Cognitive science is a field of study that studies how we think, learn, remember, and make decisions. To understand how the mind works, cognitive scientists combine insights from psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, and computer science.

№18. Construction sciences

• Mid-Career Salary: $135
• Early Career Salary: $53
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 53%

Building science studies the factors that affect buildings, including physical forces, human behavior, and operational efficiency. It examines the strength of structures, indoor conditions, comfort, and aesthetics of buildings to help create more comfortable and durable structures. Graduates can work as inspectors, architects, designers, builders, building materials engineers, and surveyors.

#17. Chemical Engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $135
• Early Career Salary: $76
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 55%

Chemical engineering involves the design, manufacture, and mass production of chemical compounds. This can include the production of biochemicals (such as medicines and fertilizers), household chemicals, oil refining, and explosives. Working with substances can be dangerous, so chemical engineers also deal with safety issues, environmental impacts, and emergency response.

#16 Aerospace Research

• Mid-Career Salary: $136
• Early Career Salary: $55
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: No data

Designing, engineering, and testing aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and rockets are the primary responsibilities of aerospace engineers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment in the field is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031.

No. 15. Pharmaceuticals

• Mid-Career Salary: $138
• Early Career Salary: $68
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 78%

Pharmacy jobs require a doctorate (Pharm.D.) and passing a state exam, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pharmacists may work in drugstores or research how drugs work in the body.

№14. Econometrics

• Mid-Career Salary: $139
• Early Career Salary: $64
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 35%

Econometrics uses statistical and mathematical models to develop theories or test existing hypotheses in economics, and to predict future trends based on historical data. Professionals must be able to work with statistical software and analyze different scenarios based on real data and forecasts.

№ 13. Systems engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $139
• Early Career Salary: $77
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 53%

Systems engineering studies the life cycle of complex systems, from design to decommissioning. This includes logistics and risk management, team coordination, testing and evaluation, and cost and schedule management. Graduates can work in civil engineering, software development, cybernetics, organization management, and control systems engineering.

№12. Aeronautics and Astronautics

• Mid-Career Salary: $139
• Early Career Salary: $77
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 56%

Aeronautics and astronautics is the design, construction, and maintenance of aircraft capable of traveling in and outside the atmosphere. Employment in this field is expected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

№11. Information and Computer Sciences

• Mid-Career Salary: $140
• Early Career Salary: $58
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 62%

Information and computer science majors design, build, maintain, and improve computer systems. They must have knowledge of advanced mathematics, understand how computers store, process, and display information, and design interfaces that optimize the interactions between software, hardware, and users. Bachelor's degree graduates can work as web developers, digital designers, information security analysts, and programmers.

№10. Electrical Power Engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $142
• Early Career Salary: $76
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 68%

Electrical power engineering is a subfield of electrical engineering that deals with the generation, transmission, distribution, and use of electrical energy. The field specializes in high-voltage applications, so electrical power engineers are likely to find work in high-voltage-related fields, such as subway line maintenance, power plant operation and design, high-voltage transmission line repair and maintenance, and the assembly of phase-transformer transformers.

№9. Actuarial Mathematics

• Mid-Career Salary: $143
• Early Career Salary: $64
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 51%

Actuarial mathematics is an interdisciplinary specialty that uses mathematical models to study how actuarial risk is determined. Because actuarial science is a branch of mathematics, actuarial mathematicians focus on the mathematical theory behind risk calculations. Actuarial mathematicians may work in insurance companies, banks, and financial institutions.

#8. Business Informatics

• Mid-Career Salary: $143
• Early Career Salary: $73
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: No data

Business informatics includes IT technologies that support corporate systems, planning, customer data management, and information storage. Key skills include Python programming, computer science, and database management.

№7. Applied Economics and Management

• Mid-Career Salary: $146
• Early Career Salary: $66
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 67%

Applied economists use data, logic, and economic principles to help managers make sound business decisions. Future economists must have a good understanding of economic concepts, be able to conduct research, collect and analyze data, write and edit texts, work in a team, and be attentive to detail.

#6. Operations Research

• Mid-Career Salary: $147
• Early Career Salary: $83
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 54%

Operations researchers use advanced statistical, mathematical, and technological methods to optimize business processes. They often conduct experiments using the scientific method and then analyze the results. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this field will grow by 23% between 2021 and 2031.

№5. State audit and accounting

• Mid-Career Salary: $147
• Early Career Salary: $59
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 47%

Public audit and accounting are related to the audit and maintenance of financial statements of enterprises, individuals, non-profit organizations or state institutions by independent specialists. These processes are carried out in accordance with established norms and laws. Public audit and accounting play a key role in ensuring the financial stability of both public and private organizations. This area includes tax consulting, certified audit, financial expertise, fraud investigation and financial management.

No. 4. Interaction Design

• Mid-Career Salary: $155
• Early Career Salary: $68
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 55%

Interaction design is the design of interactions between users and products. It covers software, mobile apps, and websites, but can also include physical objects. Most employers look for candidates with a relevant education and a bachelor's degree. Key skills include knowledge of HTML, CSS, animation, and image editing software.

#3. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

• Mid-Career Salary: $159
• Early Career Salary: $108
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 46%

Electrical engineers must understand how electronic components work and have knowledge of mathematics and materials science. They design, build, and test electrical equipment, components, and systems.

Computer scientists study the systems and networks they interact with. The two fields complement each other and often overlap in functionality and optimization. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a master's degree is typically required to work in computer science.

#2 Operations Research and Industrial Engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $170
• Early Career Salary: $84
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 28%

Operations research and industrial engineering study how organizations can take into account their goals and resource constraints to develop the most effective strategies. Like business performance analysis, this field evaluates decision-making processes and finds ways to optimize them. Project managers and performance specialists are in demand in this field.

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№1. Oil and Gas Engineering

• Mid-Career Salary: $187
• Early Career Salary: $93
• Percentage of graduates who believe their work makes the world a better place: 67%

The world depends on oil. Petroleum engineers develop methods to improve the exploration, production, transportation, and refining of oil. They can work in oil field management, pipeline construction, refining, and environmental monitoring.

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