Choosing the best university majors in terms of salary is not just an academic decision; Rather, it is a strategic decision that determines your professional and financial path. When you choose a major that is constantly growing in the job market, you guarantee yourself a better chance of achieving professional and financial stability.
If you are one of the students who seek to graduate quickly and with high grades, then moving towards the best university majors in terms of salary allows you to achieve this goal, while ensuring job opportunities that exceed expected returns.
List of the best university majors in terms of salary
According to information from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, 80% of college students choose their college majors based on the likelihood of getting jobs in those majors.
If you are one of the students who seek to graduate as quickly as possible with high grades, you may find our article about majors that enable you to achieve high grades quickly and provide very good job opportunities that exceed the expected returns.
The best university majors in terms of salary in the field of business
If you are considering business majors, they are among the most popular and in-demand options in various fields. It is witnessing a significant increase in demand. Some high-growth jobs in this field include:
- Operations research analyst: Expectations of a 27% increase in opportunities.
- Marketing and promotion specialists: Expected growth of 23%.
- Management analysts: Growth opportunities of up to 14%.
- Costing and estimating experts: An expected increase of 11%.
In addition to these, there are many other specializations in business that you can choose from.
The best university majors in terms of salary in the field of health care
Health majors are a thriving field that is constantly growing and offers extensive job opportunities. The demand for qualified personnel in the healthcare field far exceeds that of many other industries. Job growth is expected at all levels of the healthcare field.
- Personal care assistants: Expect an increase of 39%.
- Medical assistants: Growth opportunities of up to 29%.
- Registered nurses: An expected increase of 15%.
- Licensed practical nurses: Expected growth of 12%.
- Nursing assistants: An increase in job opportunities by 11%.
This sector will continue to grow as the population ages and increases in numbers.
The best university majors in terms of salary are in the field of programming and information technology
Demands for programming experts and information technology specializations are increasing due to the rapid technological progress in the world. The importance of programming and information technology in all fields cannot be overlooked. Be part of this evolution with careers that are experiencing exceptional growth.
- Information security analysts: Expect an increase of 28%.
- Software developers: Growth opportunities of up to 24%.
- All IT professions: An expected increase of 13%.
- Computer user support specialists: Expected growth of 11%.
- Computer systems analysts: Increase in chances by 9%.
With lucrative starting salaries and ongoing opportunities for advancement, this field is considered a top career choice.
The best engineering major in terms of salary
| Specialization | Lowest salary | Highest salary |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering major | 94600 $ | 175500 $ |
| Specialization in actuarial science | 61200 $ | 130800 $ |
| Specialization in nuclear engineering | 69000 $ | 127500 $ |
| Specialization in chemical engineering | 70300 $ | 124500 $ |
| Marine engineering major | 73900 $ | 123200 $ |
| Economics major | 60 thousand dollars | 122900 $ |
| Specialization in electrical power engineering | 68600 $ | 119100 $ |
| Specialization in electrical and computer engineering | 69000 $ | 118800 $ |
| Aeronautical engineering major | 65300 $ | 118800 $ |
| Specialization in Computer Systems Engineering | 72000 $ | 118000 $ |
| Specialization in Computer Science and Engineering | 70900 $ | 116800 $ |
| Bioengineering major | 61600 $ | 116800 $ |
| Computer engineering major | 70300 $ | 116000 $ |
| Specialization in electrical engineering | 67800 $ | 114800 $ |
| Specialization in industrial and systems engineering | 65700 $ | 114.400 $ |
| Specialization in Computer Science and Mathematics | 62800 $ | 114.400 $ |
| Specialization in naval architecture and marine engineering | 68200 $ | 113800 $ |
| Specialization in Aerospace Engineering | 66300 $ | 113300 $ |
| Majoring in Mechanical and Aviation Engineering | 62900 $ | 113200 $ |
| Specialization in engineering physics | 60400 $ | 112.600 $ |
| Engineering major | 63100 $ | 111600 $ |
| Computer science major | 65900 $ | 110100 $ |
| Mining engineering specialty | 71300 $ | 108500 $ |
| Assistant physician specializing in studies | 87800 $ | 107600 $ |
| Specialization in electrical and electronics engineering | 66200 $ | 107400 $ |
| Specialization in industrial engineering | 64400 $ | 107100 $ |
| Specialization in mechanical engineering | 64000 $ | 106800 $ |
| Specialization in metallurgy engineering | 75300 $ | 105100 $ |
| Specialization in structural engineering | 60800 $ | 105100 $ |
| Specialization in accounting and computer systems | 60400 $ | $104 |
| Statistics major | 60 thousand dollars | $104 |
| Specialization in Operations Management and Information Systems | 60100 $ | $104 |
| Software engineering major | 66300 $ | 104300 $ |
| Specialization in electronics engineering | 63300 $ | 104300 $ |
| Specialization in materials science and engineering | 66300 $ | 104100 $ |
| Specialization in Construction Engineering Management | 60500 $ | 103.700 $ |
| Specialization in Biomedical Engineering | 62900 $ | $103 |
| Specialization in building sciences | 60700 $ | 102.600 $ |
| Specialization in packaging sciences | 61400 $ | 102300 $ |
| Mechanical specialty | 62800 $ | 101600 $ |
| Specialization in engineering management | 61500 $ | 101600 $ |
| Specialization in plastics engineering | 64100 $ | 97100 $ |
| Manufacturing engineering specialty | 61900 $ | 96400 $ |
| Informatics specialty | 60500 $ | 95300 $ |
| Specialization in plastics engineering | 61600 $ | 95100 $ |
| Specialization in architecture | 61200 $ | 95100 $ |
| Specialization in construction engineering | 61100 $ | 93.700 $ |
| Specialization in electrical engineering technology | 60400 $ | 93400 $ |
| Information security specialization | 60400 $ | 90900 $ |
| Specialization in radiation therapy | 61800 $ | 84200 $ |
As you can see from this list of lucrative jobs, STEM majors can be very beneficial as many of the highest paying programs and best college majors for the future fall into one of these categories.
Paying attention to academic accreditation
Paying attention to the academic accreditation of colleges and universities is an important part when choosing one of the best university majors. Your choice is not limited to only one of the specializations, but you must also ensure that the effort and money you will invest are worth it.
Regional accreditation is a must. When a college is accredited, it is open to independent auditors from third parties to ensure the quality of its programs and the quality of education it provides.
While comparing top majors, you can look to target institutions in the US Department of Education's accreditation database.
Financial assistance
Even if you choose the best university majors, you must ensure that you achieve returns worth your educational costs. You should not incur higher education costs than you will need in the future.
In search of suitable financing opportunities, you can review the following options:
- Scholarships: Financial opportunities provided by educational institutions to deserving students.
- Scholarships: Financial rewards given to students who achieve outstanding performance.
- Work-study: Working within the university during the study period to earn additional income.
- Employee Tuition Assistance: Some companies provide financial support to their employees to complete their education.
- Deferred loans: Loans that are repaid after graduation and start working.
By carefully choosing one of the best majors and paying attention to academic accreditation and financial aid, you will be on the right path to achieving professional and educational success.
Summary of our article
Let's take a quick look at some of the most common questions asked by prospective students comparing college majors and programs.
The current and future most in-demand majors are in business software, healthcare, and information technology, which are areas that are seeing significant job growth and offering good salaries. However, these rankings alone should not be the main basis for your choice of college major.
The job market is growing at a rapid pace, and this means that most college majors will have value to students who join the workforce after graduation, whether or not these majors are in popular rankings.
What university majors guarantee the highest salaries after graduation?
The best university majors that guarantee the highest salaries after graduation are:
Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Economics.
How can I choose a university major that will achieve a high financial return?
The most important tips for choosing a profitable university major:
Medicine, engineering, and technology are the most financially rewarding majors.
Analyze the labor market and forecast future demand for different professions.
Choose a specialty that matches your skills and passions.
Make sure the expected salary in this field meets your financial aspirations.
What specializations are most in demand in the labor market and bring high salaries?
The most important specializations that are in demand and earn high salaries are:
Engineering (computer, mechanical, electrical)
Medicine (doctors, surgeons, pharmacists)
Information technology (programming, web development, information security)
Finance and Accounting (accountants, financial analysts, bankers)
Bioscience and technology
Does the work location affect the expected salary for university majors?
Yes, work location affects the expected salary for university majors. Salaries are usually higher in urban areas and larger cities than in rural or small areas.
What engineering majors earn the highest salaries?
The highest salaries in engineering majors are petroleum and gas engineering, communications engineering, and computer engineering.
Do medical specialties always guarantee high salaries?
Yes, medical specialties are generally considered high-paying professions due to the specialization and experience required. However, salaries may vary between specialties and between different geographic regions.
