Best and Worst Paying College Degrees

September 23, 2010

If you are looking for an undergraduate degree that will help you earn a strong salary, think math. If you want to avoid some of the lowest paying fields, reconsider degrees related to children and food.

Payscale’s survey of college degrees by starting and mid-career salary puts engineers high on the list, comprising much of the top 25 (below) based on starting salary:

  1. Petroleum Engineering
  2. Aerospace Engineering
  3. Chemical Engineering
  4. Electrical Engineering
  5. Nuclear Engineering
  6. Applied Mathematics
  7. Biomedical Engineering
  8. Physics
  9. Computer Engineering
  10. Economics
  11. Computer Science
  12. Industrial Engineering
  13. Mechanical Engineering
  14. Building Construction
  15. Materials Science & Engineering
  16. Civil Engineering
  17. Statistics
  18. Finance
  19. Software Engineering
  20. Management Information Systems
  21. Mathematics
  22. Government
  23. Information Systems
  24. Construction Management
  25. Environmental Engineering

Payscale’s more comprehensive list is available at: http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges/degrees.asp

The Wall Street Journal also provides interesting information relating to careers and college majors:  http://online.wsj.com/public/page/rankings-career-college-majors.html

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About Lynn Lubell

Lynn Radlauer Lubell is the Publisher of InLikeMe.com, an internationally renowned website for college-bound students, parents and guidance counselors, and the Founder of Admission by Design, an educational consultancy.

A graduate of MIT and Harvard Business School, Lynn completed the IECA's Principles and Practices Institute for Educational Consultants and has broad expertise in college admission strategy and planning.

Lynn served on the MIT Educational Council for ten years interviewing hundreds of undergraduate applicants.

Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Admission by Design, consults with students and families in South Florida and beyond.

Biography - Lynn Lubell