The earning after graduation is an important consideration in choosing colleges and area of study. Besides the college ranking and educational quality, the earning varies by the major programs and earned degrees in colleges.
Average Earning by Major Programs with Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
Highest Earning Majors by Degree
For bachelor's degree, the graduates who completing Construction Trades program have the highest salary of $74,977 and Engineering program have the second highest salary of $74,652 in average.
Associate's Science Technologies/Technicians program shows the highest earning ($70,729) and Engineering program follows with $60,767 average salary.
Computer and Information Sciences Master's program has $93,617 average salary and Engineering program completers earn $92,820 yearly.
Earning and Loan Debt Payment by Major and Degree
The below table summarizes the average earning of graduates after completing by area of study and degrees. The earning is the salary after three years from graduation and an average over all sub-majors of each area of study. In addition, the table shows the average loan debt and estimated monthly payment over students who completing and earning corresponding degree. The monthly payment is estimated, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 3.73% interest rate.
You can check the average yearly earning and loan debt by area of study and degree. The earning is the average over all sub major program of each area of study and it may differ from the amount of specific major program. The salary is based on the amount after 3 years of graduation. For the loan debt, it only includes the federal loan debt originated at the school awarding the credential.
The source of data: College Scorecard, Department of Education
| Area of Study | Annual Salary | Monthly Earning | Loan Debt | Monthly Loan Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AgricultureEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $33,190 | $2,766 | $8,758 | $92 |
| Associate | $37,609 | $3,134 | $14,135 | $148 |
| Bachelor's | $42,758 | $3,563 | $19,945 | $206 |
| Master's | $66,357 | $5,530 | $28,228 | $320 |
| Natural Resources and ConservationEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $44,321 | $3,693 | $17,861 | $185 |
| Associate | $36,722 | $3,060 | $11,217 | $115 |
| Bachelor's | $39,962 | $3,330 | $21,772 | $224 |
| Master's | $56,272 | $4,689 | $41,905 | $474 |
| Doctoral | $80,666 | $6,722 | - | - |
| ArchitectureEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Associate | $47,556 | $3,963 | $22,186 | $228 |
| Bachelor's | $53,010 | $4,418 | $24,568 | $253 |
| Master's | $61,877 | $5,156 | $53,352 | $603 |
| Doctoral | $57,786 | $4,816 | - | - |
| First Professional Degree | $61,438 | $5,120 | $52,334 | $593 |
| Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group StudiesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Bachelor's | $38,490 | $3,207 | $20,482 | $211 |
| Master's | $57,919 | $4,827 | $43,783 | $495 |
| Communication and JournalismEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $23,487 | $1,957 | $14,680 | $152 |
| Associate | $29,925 | $2,494 | $12,707 | $131 |
| Bachelor's | $40,868 | $3,406 | $22,776 | $235 |
| Master's | $54,376 | $4,531 | $42,651 | $482 |
| Doctoral | $57,985 | $4,832 | $120,864 | $1,367 |
| Post-MS | $59,046 | $4,921 | $19,175 | $217 |
| Communications TechnologiesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $20,537 | $1,711 | $11,923 | $124 |
| Associate | $25,682 | $2,140 | $15,909 | $163 |
| Bachelor's | $34,839 | $2,903 | $27,469 | $282 |
| Master's | $47,121 | $3,927 | $64,361 | $728 |
| Post-MS | $58,113 | $4,843 | - | - |
| Computer and Information SciencesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $32,015 | $2,668 | $11,444 | $118 |
| Associate | $37,271 | $3,106 | $18,313 | $188 |
| Bachelor's | $67,891 | $5,658 | $24,962 | $257 |
| Master's | $93,617 | $7,801 | $44,681 | $506 |
| Doctoral | $112,341 | $9,362 | $89,615 | $1,013 |
| Post-MS | $68,196 | $5,683 | $31,305 | $355 |
| Personal and Culinary ServicesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $17,184 | $1,432 | $9,189 | $95 |
| Associate | $28,466 | $2,372 | $15,296 | $157 |
| Bachelor's | $33,998 | $2,833 | $27,871 | $284 |
| Master's | $34,830 | $2,903 | $40,500 | $455 |
| Post-MS | $12,541 | $1,045 | - | - |
| EducationEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $19,988 | $1,666 | $14,143 | $147 |
| Associate | $23,897 | $1,991 | $12,432 | $128 |
| Bachelor's | $38,534 | $3,211 | $23,734 | $244 |
| Post-BS | $57,254 | $4,771 | $20,105 | $208 |
| Master's | $52,345 | $4,362 | $31,580 | $357 |
| Doctoral | $82,669 | $6,889 | $67,808 | $766 |
| First Professional Degree | $68,064 | $5,672 | $34,843 | $394 |
| Post-MS | $67,975 | $5,665 | $33,574 | $380 |
| EngineeringEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $38,456 | $3,205 | $18,605 | $192 |
| Associate | $60,767 | $5,064 | $13,823 | $142 |
| Bachelor's | $74,652 | $6,221 | $22,689 | $234 |
| Master's | $92,820 | $7,735 | $32,517 | $368 |
| Doctoral | $118,039 | $9,837 | - | - |
| Post-MS | $77,192 | $6,433 | - | - |
| Engineering TechnologyEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $34,874 | $2,906 | $10,996 | $114 |
| Associate | $50,860 | $4,238 | $14,768 | $152 |
| Bachelor's | $65,817 | $5,485 | $25,268 | $261 |
| Master's | $91,210 | $7,601 | $33,799 | $382 |
| Post-MS | $89,028 | $7,419 | - | - |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $20,281 | $1,690 | $21,757 | $225 |
| Associate | $27,829 | $2,319 | $7,000 | $74 |
| Bachelor's | $37,711 | $3,143 | $21,006 | $216 |
| Master's | $50,655 | $4,221 | $40,525 | $458 |
| Doctoral | $46,131 | $3,844 | - | - |
| Work and Family StudiesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $18,512 | $1,543 | $12,342 | $127 |
| Associate | $22,633 | $1,886 | $15,294 | $157 |
| Bachelor's | $37,738 | $3,145 | $23,163 | $238 |
| Master's | $48,134 | $4,011 | $38,049 | $430 |
| Doctoral | $65,989 | $5,499 | - | - |
| Post-MS | $44,162 | $3,680 | $53,123 | $601 |
| Legal StudiesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $33,270 | $2,772 | $13,962 | $144 |
| Associate | $31,113 | $2,593 | $20,042 | $206 |
| Bachelor's | $39,172 | $3,264 | $28,252 | $290 |
| Post-BS | $42,449 | $3,537 | $13,538 | $139 |
| Master's | $68,097 | $5,675 | $58,103 | $657 |
| Doctoral | $78,826 | $6,569 | $117,386 | $1,328 |
| First Professional Degree | $79,741 | $6,645 | $113,664 | $1,286 |
| Post-MS | $50,334 | $4,195 | $42,205 | $478 |
| English Language and LiteratureEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $23,714 | $1,976 | $24,426 | $251 |
| Associate | $21,191 | $1,766 | $16,844 | $175 |
| Bachelor's | $35,104 | $2,925 | $22,142 | $228 |
| Master's | $43,563 | $3,630 | $41,004 | $463 |
| Doctoral | $58,005 | $4,834 | $65,546 | $741 |
| First Professional Degree | $39,876 | $3,323 | - | - |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, HumanitiesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $29,230 | $2,436 | $10,107 | $104 |
| Associate | $28,587 | $2,382 | $10,860 | $112 |
| Bachelor's | $36,883 | $3,074 | $23,209 | $239 |
| Post-BS | $69,645 | $5,804 | $26,125 | $270 |
| Master's | $53,331 | $4,444 | $42,092 | $476 |
| Doctoral | $53,847 | $4,487 | $190,629 | $2,168 |
| First Professional Degree | $62,313 | $5,193 | - | - |
| Post-MS | $72,132 | $6,011 | $43,653 | $493 |
| Library ScienceEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Bachelor's | $34,167 | $2,847 | $23,941 | $248 |
| Master's | $47,233 | $3,936 | $36,267 | $410 |
| First Professional Degree | $53,237 | $4,436 | $36,777 | $415 |
| Post-MS | $52,844 | $4,404 | $32,152 | $364 |
| Biological and Biomedical SciencesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $38,188 | $3,182 | $22,898 | $234 |
| Associate | $29,992 | $2,499 | $11,217 | $116 |
| Bachelor's | $37,648 | $3,137 | $22,180 | $228 |
| Master's | $62,614 | $5,218 | $45,210 | $511 |
| Doctoral | $70,537 | $5,878 | $45,328 | $511 |
| First Professional Degree | $55,351 | $4,613 | $41,765 | $472 |
| Post-MS | $53,127 | $4,427 | $55,662 | $629 |
| Mathematics and StatisticsEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Bachelor's | $58,016 | $4,835 | $20,151 | $207 |
| Master's | $88,929 | $7,411 | $43,256 | $490 |
| Doctoral | $65,051 | $5,421 | - | - |
| Military Technologies and Applied SciencesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Associate | $54,340 | $4,528 | - | - |
| Bachelor's | $56,154 | $4,679 | $22,203 | $230 |
| Master's | $73,138 | $6,095 | $42,148 | $477 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary StudiesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Associate | $33,145 | $2,762 | $8,695 | $89 |
| Bachelor's | $41,334 | $3,444 | $21,879 | $225 |
| Master's | $62,409 | $5,201 | $47,931 | $542 |
| Post-MS | $56,301 | $4,692 | $34,603 | $392 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness StudiesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $24,577 | $2,048 | $12,181 | $125 |
| Associate | $27,122 | $2,260 | $15,715 | $161 |
| Bachelor's | $38,008 | $3,167 | $23,231 | $239 |
| Master's | $46,749 | $3,896 | $31,201 | $353 |
| Doctoral | $73,355 | $6,113 | $44,976 | $506 |
| Post-MS | $45,980 | $3,832 | - | - |
| Basic Skills and Developmental/Remedial Education Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $33,825 | $2,819 | - | - |
| Associate | $35,731 | $2,978 | - | - |
| Health-Related Knowledge and Skills Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $28,475 | $2,373 | $6,313 | $63 |
| Associate | $28,592 | $2,383 | - | - |
| Bachelor's | $39,275 | $3,273 | $26,445 | $272 |
| Leisure and Recreational Activities Program Details | ||||
| Bachelor's | $32,766 | $2,731 | $23,098 | $236 |
| Philosophy and Religious StudiesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Associate | $25,706 | $2,142 | $25,112 | $259 |
| Bachelor's | $34,701 | $2,892 | $21,183 | $219 |
| Master's | $43,097 | $3,591 | $39,962 | $452 |
| Doctoral | $54,730 | $4,561 | $94,969 | $1,076 |
| First Professional Degree | $65,624 | $5,469 | - | - |
| Theology and Religious VocationsEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $16,992 | $1,416 | $15,508 | $160 |
| Associate | $21,902 | $1,825 | $20,572 | $212 |
| Bachelor's | $30,754 | $2,563 | $24,525 | $252 |
| Master's | $46,490 | $3,874 | $44,508 | $503 |
| Doctoral | $63,971 | $5,331 | $54,897 | $620 |
| First Professional Degree | $44,312 | $3,693 | $49,493 | $559 |
| Post-MS | $45,205 | $3,767 | $14,500 | $165 |
| Physical SciencesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Associate | $29,803 | $2,484 | $8,315 | $85 |
| Bachelor's | $47,251 | $3,938 | $21,855 | $225 |
| Master's | $72,313 | $6,026 | $35,204 | $399 |
| Doctoral | $90,515 | $7,543 | - | - |
| Science Technologies/TechniciansEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $37,997 | $3,166 | $9,431 | $97 |
| Associate | $70,729 | $5,894 | $11,266 | $116 |
| PsychologyEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $35,610 | $2,968 | $21,019 | $218 |
| Associate | $22,354 | $1,863 | $16,396 | $167 |
| Bachelor's | $35,678 | $2,973 | $23,393 | $241 |
| Master's | $49,663 | $4,139 | $49,389 | $559 |
| Doctoral | $73,607 | $6,134 | $140,086 | $1,583 |
| First Professional Degree | $58,749 | $4,896 | $67,516 | $765 |
| Post-MS | $66,677 | $5,556 | $47,939 | $542 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and FirefightingEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $43,592 | $3,633 | $10,050 | $103 |
| Associate | $34,370 | $2,864 | $15,977 | $164 |
| Bachelor's | $41,199 | $3,433 | $24,881 | $256 |
| Post-BS | $84,903 | $7,075 | $27,000 | $281 |
| Master's | $52,510 | $4,376 | $37,261 | $421 |
| Doctoral | $87,385 | $7,282 | $101,979 | $1,155 |
| Post-MS | $65,536 | $5,461 | $34,030 | $387 |
| Human ServicesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $30,471 | $2,539 | $13,918 | $141 |
| Associate | $26,531 | $2,211 | $18,355 | $188 |
| Bachelor's | $38,090 | $3,174 | $23,879 | $246 |
| Post-BS | $39,829 | $3,319 | - | - |
| Master's | $54,379 | $4,532 | $41,216 | $466 |
| Doctoral | $78,475 | $6,540 | $104,962 | $1,187 |
| First Professional Degree | $60,632 | $5,053 | $52,158 | $590 |
| Post-MS | $58,346 | $4,862 | $46,104 | $522 |
| Social SciencesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $56,568 | $4,714 | $21,625 | $223 |
| Associate | $28,321 | $2,360 | $13,986 | $142 |
| Bachelor's | $43,756 | $3,646 | $21,630 | $223 |
| Post-BS | $50,639 | $4,220 | - | - |
| Master's | $63,439 | $5,287 | $42,988 | $486 |
| Doctoral | $69,836 | $5,820 | - | - |
| First Professional Degree | $57,396 | $4,783 | $41,000 | $464 |
| Post-MS | $61,376 | $5,115 | $30,285 | $343 |
| Construction TradesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $37,283 | $3,107 | $8,945 | $92 |
| Associate | $49,260 | $4,105 | $14,870 | $153 |
| Bachelor's | $74,977 | $6,248 | $22,125 | $226 |
| Mechanics and RepairersEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $34,699 | $2,892 | $10,965 | $113 |
| Associate | $42,701 | $3,558 | $14,001 | $144 |
| Bachelor's | $65,204 | $5,434 | $23,854 | $245 |
| Precision Production TradesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $34,980 | $2,915 | $8,509 | $88 |
| Associate | $41,779 | $3,482 | $13,331 | $137 |
| Bachelor's | $27,613 | $2,301 | $24,029 | $249 |
| Transportation and Materials MovingEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $36,457 | $3,038 | $6,302 | $65 |
| Associate | $54,133 | $4,511 | $14,545 | $150 |
| Bachelor's | $62,890 | $5,241 | $23,117 | $238 |
| Master's | $78,164 | $6,514 | $38,446 | $435 |
| Post-MS | $43,555 | $3,630 | - | - |
| Visual and Performing ArtsEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $26,099 | $2,175 | $14,774 | $152 |
| Associate | $25,711 | $2,143 | $15,915 | $164 |
| Bachelor's | $32,444 | $2,704 | $24,124 | $248 |
| Master's | $38,671 | $3,223 | $56,937 | $644 |
| Doctoral | $44,628 | $3,719 | $53,662 | $606 |
| Post-MS | $122,208 | $10,184 | $42,280 | $481 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health SciencesEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $29,167 | $2,431 | $10,703 | $110 |
| Associate | $46,031 | $3,836 | $17,178 | $177 |
| Bachelor's | $55,434 | $4,619 | $23,288 | $240 |
| Post-BS | $110,290 | $9,191 | $15,731 | $162 |
| Master's | $77,576 | $6,465 | $59,254 | $670 |
| Doctoral | $91,409 | $7,617 | $113,313 | $1,282 |
| First Professional Degree | $95,403 | $7,950 | $168,642 | $1,907 |
| Post-MS | $94,454 | $7,871 | $68,745 | $778 |
| BusinessEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $25,358 | $2,113 | $13,221 | $136 |
| Associate | $32,129 | $2,677 | $17,328 | $178 |
| Bachelor's | $51,978 | $4,331 | $23,601 | $243 |
| Post-BS | $57,609 | $4,801 | $11,979 | $123 |
| Master's | $75,799 | $6,317 | $37,845 | $428 |
| Doctoral | $81,621 | $6,802 | $92,746 | $1,048 |
| First Professional Degree | $120,484 | $10,040 | $45,527 | $515 |
| Post-MS | $64,486 | $5,374 | $47,655 | $540 |
| High School/Secondary Diploma Programs Program Details | ||||
| Bachelor's | $60,425 | $5,035 | - | - |
| HistoryEarning by Sub Majors Program Details | ||||
| Bachelor's | $37,317 | $3,110 | $21,766 | $224 |
| Master's | $47,259 | $3,938 | $37,511 | $424 |
| Doctoral | $62,364 | $5,197 | - | - |
| Dental Residency/Fellowship Programs Program Details | ||||
| Certificate | $35,726 | $2,977 | - | - |
| First Professional Degree | $185,557 | $15,463 | $160,560 | $1,826 |
| Post-MS | $226,676 | $18,890 | - | - |
Data Source: College Scorecard
