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:
- Petroleum Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Applied Mathematics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Physics
- Computer Engineering
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Building Construction
- Materials Science & Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Statistics
- Finance
- Software Engineering
- Management Information Systems
- Mathematics
- Government
- Information Systems
- Construction Management
- 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