Payscale's 2024 College Salary Report recently highlighted the earning potential across various degrees and institutions, with engineering majors once again leading the pack in terms of median salaries.
Graduates with bachelor's degrees in petroleum engineering, operations research and electrical engineering are among the top earners, with mid-career salaries of $212,100, $202,600 and $192,300, showcasing the strong financial return on investment for students in these fields.
The report also revealed the impact of attending prestigious institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University and the U.S. Naval Academy, where alumni consistently achieve the highest mid-career salaries of $196,900, $194,100 and $187,800, respectively. For two-year degree programs and community colleges, schools like the Helene Fuld College of Nursing, Laboure College of Healthcare and Pacific Union College produced salaries of $108,400, $103,200 and $100,900, respectively.
If money isn't a factor, the Payscale report identified several majors as particularly meaningful due to their impact and personal satisfaction. Degrees in human services, social sciences, education, and health care were valued by students due to their positive impact.
To read the full report, visit payscale.com.
