What you study in college has a bigger impact on your starting salary than where you go to school. Research from the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce consistently shows that major choice explains more of the earnings variation among college graduates than institutional prestige. If you're choosing between degrees, salary data should be one of your key inputs — not the only one, but an important one.
This guide compiles 2026 starting salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), and Georgetown CEW to give you the most comprehensive picture available. All figures represent median starting salaries for bachelor's degree holders within their first year of full-time employment.
Highest-Paying Starting Salaries by Major
| Major | Median Starting Salary | 5-Year Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $85,000 | $120,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,000 | $110,000 |
| Electrical Engineering | $79,000 | $108,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,000 | $100,000 |
| Software Engineering | $83,000 | $122,000 |
| Data Science | $78,000 | $115,000 |
| Information Technology | $68,000 | $95,000 |
| Nursing (BSN) | $65,000 | $82,000 |
| Accounting | $62,000 | $80,000 |
| Finance | $65,000 | $92,000 |
Engineering and computer science dominate the top of the starting salary rankings, with most graduates earning $75,000-$85,000 in their first positions. These fields benefit from consistent demand, specialized skill requirements, and relatively limited graduate supply compared to employer need.
Mid-Range Starting Salaries
| Major | Median Starting Salary | 5-Year Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $60,000 | $85,000 |
| Mathematics | $62,000 | $88,000 |
| Business Administration | $58,000 | $78,000 |
| Marketing | $52,000 | $72,000 |
| Biology | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| Environmental Science | $48,000 | $64,000 |
| Political Science | $50,000 | $68,000 |
| Criminal Justice | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Communications | $46,000 | $60,000 |
| Public Health | $48,000 | $62,000 |
Business, science, and social science degrees cluster in the $45,000-$65,000 starting range. The five-year earnings trajectory matters significantly here — economics and math graduates see larger salary jumps than average because their quantitative skills become more valuable with experience.
Lower Starting Salaries (With Important Context)
| Major | Median Starting Salary | 5-Year Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Education | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Psychology | $40,000 | $52,000 |
| Sociology | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| English | $40,000 | $52,000 |
| History | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Philosophy | $42,000 | $60,000 |
| Art / Fine Arts | $38,000 | $48,000 |
| Music | $36,000 | $46,000 |
| Social Work | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| Liberal Arts | $39,000 | $50,000 |
Lower starting salaries don't necessarily mean poor career outcomes. Several of these majors — particularly education, psychology, and philosophy — see strong mid-career growth. Philosophy graduates who pursue law or business school often reach earnings that rival engineering. Education offers job stability, benefits, and pension systems that raw salary figures understate. Psychology graduates who continue to clinical graduate programs earn competitive salaries in a growing field.
Starting Salary vs. Career Earnings: Why Both Matter
Starting salary tells only part of the story. Some majors with modest starting pay — like economics and mathematics — have steep salary growth curves that overtake higher-starting fields within a decade. Others, like education and social work, offer non-monetary compensation (job stability, pension, summers off, mission-driven work) that salary alone doesn't capture.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and Georgetown CEW both track mid-career and lifetime earnings by major. Before choosing a degree based on starting salary alone, examine the 10-year and lifetime trajectory.
How Location Affects Starting Salary
Geography has an enormous impact on starting pay. A computer science graduate in San Francisco or New York may start at $100,000+, while the same degree in a mid-sized Southern city might command $65,000. However, cost-of-living differences often equalize real purchasing power. The BLS Occupational Employment Statistics by state help you compare salaries across regions.
Remote work has partially decoupled salary from location for some tech and business roles, but healthcare, education, engineering, and most other fields still show significant geographic variation.
How to Maximize Your Starting Salary
Regardless of your major, several strategies increase your starting salary. Completing relevant internships is the single most powerful lever — the National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that graduates with internship experience earn 10-15% more in their first position. Building technical skills alongside your major (data analysis, programming, design tools) signals versatility to employers.
Negotiating your first offer also matters more than most new graduates realize. Most employers expect negotiation, and even a small increase in starting salary compounds over decades of raises calculated as percentages of your base.
Choosing the right major is the first step. Understanding your strengths, interests, and how they align with the job market is what turns a degree into a career. If you're still deciding, our science-backed quiz can help you find the major that fits your profile.
Find Your Best-Fit Major
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Take the Free Quiz →Frequently Asked Questions
What college major has the highest starting salary?
Computer science and software engineering currently offer the highest median starting salaries at $83,000-$85,000. Chemical engineering ($82,000) and electrical engineering ($79,000) follow closely. These fields benefit from high demand, specialized skills, and relatively limited graduate supply.
Does where you go to college affect starting salary more than what you study?
Research from Georgetown CEW shows that major choice explains more of the earnings variation among graduates than institutional prestige. A computer science graduate from a state university typically out-earns an English graduate from an elite private school in the first decade of their career.
Are humanities degrees worth it financially?
Humanities degrees have lower average starting salaries but can lead to strong mid-career outcomes depending on career path. Philosophy and history graduates who enter law, business, or policy often reach earnings that rival STEM graduates. The key is combining humanities skills with a clear career strategy.
How much do internships affect starting salary?
Significantly. NACE data shows that graduates with internship experience earn 10-15% more in their first position compared to those without internships. Internships also dramatically increase the likelihood of receiving a job offer before graduation.