About 70% of high school graduates enroll in universities to pursue a college degree and with the rising costs of education, picking the right course to take up should be a priority and knowing which ones offers the most lucrative jobs can help you decide which one it's going to be.
Last Monday, job hunting site Glassdoor released its 2016 report of which college majors pay the highest starting salaries.
Glassdoor analyzed 500,000 unique resumes with self-reported income to determine which majors paid the most 5 years after graduation. Most of the fields on the list are in STEM - engineering, technology, computer science and information technology and the rest of the list is populated with business-related fields such as accounting and marketing.
According to Glassdoor's Chief Economist, Dr. Andrew Chamberlain "If college students want to land a high-paying job after graduation, they should strongly consider majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math. STEM majors are in demand by the technology and health industries, which offer higher paying jobs that are better protected from competition or automation."
Take a look at the top 50 highest paying college majors from Glassdoor's list:
1. Computer Science
- Median Base Salary: $70,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, Web Developer
2. Electrical Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $68,438
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Electrical Engineer, Systems Engineer, Software Developer
3. Mechanical Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $68,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Mechanical Engineer, Design Engineer, Project Engineer
4. Chemical Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $65,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Project Engineer
5. Industrial Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $64,381
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Industrial Engineer, Quality Engineer, Production Planner
6. Information Technology
- Median Base Salary: $64,008
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Programmer Analyst, Technical Support, Systems Engineer
7. Civil Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $61,500
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Field Engineer
8. Statistics
- Median Base Salary: $60,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Data Analyst, Statistician, Data Scientist
9. Nursing
- Median Base Salary: $58,928
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Case Manager
10. Management Information Systems
- Median Base Salary: $58,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Network Administrator, Help Desk Analyst, Business Analyst
11. Finance
- Median Base Salary: $54,900
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Financial Analyst, Investment Banking Analyst, Accountant
12. Mathematics
- Median Base Salary: 54,018
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Math Teacher, Software Engineer, Data Analyst
13. Biomedical Engineering
- Median Base Salary: $52,814
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Biomedical Engineer, Service Engineer, Clinical Research Associate
14. Accounting
- Median Base Salary: $52,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Accountant, Auditor, Financial Analyst
15. Economics
- Median Base Salary: $52,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Financial Analyst, Management Analyst, Accountant
16. Physics
- Median Base Salary: $50,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Physicist, Research Fellow, Computer Programmer
17. Biotechnology
- Median Base Salary: $50,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Laboratory Technician, Quality Control Analyst, Research Associate
18. Architecture
- Median Base Salary: $50,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Architect, CAD Designer, Project Designer
19. Fashion Design
- Median Base Salary: $50,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Fashion Designer, Textile Designer, Stylist
20. Business
- Median Base Salary: $47,850
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Account Manager, Marketing Manager, Market Research Analyst
21. International Relations
- Median Base Salary: $45,880
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Marketing Associate, English Teacher, Research Assistant
22. Graphic Design
- Median Base Salary: $45,846
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Art Manager
23. Marketing
- Median Base Salary: $45,475
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Marketing Coordinator, Account Executive, Marketing Analyst
24. English
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: English Teacher, Editor, Copywriter
25. Political Science
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Law Clerk, Paralegal, Consultant
26. History
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Research Assistant, History Teacher, Teaching Assistant
27. Human Resources
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Coordinator, Corporate Recruiter, HR Analyst
28. Journalism
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Reporter, Editor, Public Relations Coordinator
29. Advertising
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Account Executive, Marketing Analyst, Media Planner
30. Philosophy
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Teaching Assistant, Writer, Consultant
31. Environmental Science
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Environmental Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Safety Manager
32. Social Science
- Median Base Salary: $45,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Assistant, Management Consultant, Visual Merchandiser
33. Spanish
- Median Base Salary: $44,256
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Spanish Teacher, Spanish Translator, Project Manager
34. Communications
- Median Base Salary: $44,190
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Public Relations Coordinator, Journalist, Content Marketing Manager
35. Interior Design
- Median Base Salary: $44,098
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Interior Designer, Visual Merchandiser, Drafter
36. Chemistry
- Median Base Salary: $44,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Pharmacy Technician, Chemist, Laboratory Technician
37. Music
- Median Base Salary: $44,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Music Teacher, Audio Engineer, Media Sales
38. Film Studies
- Median Base Salary: $44,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Production Coordinator, Video Editor, Proposal Manager
39. Public Relations
- Median Base Salary: $43,156
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Public Relations Coordinator, Account Executive, Event Planner
40. Sports Management
- Median Base Salary: $43,156
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Personal Trainer, Sales Associate, Production Assistant
41. Education
- Median Base Salary: $43,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Special Education Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Language Arts Teacher
42. Anthropology
- Median Base Salary: $43,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Project Coordinator, Research Assistant, Administrative Assistant
43. Hospitality Management
- Median Base Salary: $42,734
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Food and Beverage Manager, Front Desk Manager, Housekeeping Manager
44. Biochemistry
- Median Base Salary: $42,672
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Research Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Chemist
45. Liberal Arts
- Median Base Salary: $42,500
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Sales Manager, Receptionist, Teacher
46. Psychology
- Median Base Salary: $42,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Case Manager, Mental Health Counselor, Sales Associate
47. Sociology
- Median Base Salary: $42,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Assistant, Account Manager, Administrative Assistant
48. Healthcare Administration
- Median Base Salary: $42,000
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Medical Assistant, File Clerk, Office Manager
49. Social Work
- Median Base Salary: $41,656
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Camp Counselor
50. Biology
- Median Base Salary: $41,250
- Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Lab Assistant, Paramedic, Tutor
Whether you're still in high school figuring out your next move, have already started college and is seriously considering shifting majors, or have decided to put college on hold, we hope this sheds a light in your search.
Glassdoor's findings is consistent with the results found by Georgetown University Researchers. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of The Washington Post wrote, "Researchers at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found that the top 25 percent of earners with education degrees can expect to make as much as the bottom 25 percent of people with engineering degrees, even mid-career. An advanced degree will improve an educator's prospects, but not enough to narrow the wage gap with engineers, the study said."
