What to Study

Choose the field before the campus. This is the average five-year earnings premium across every ranked program in each major, with the top-scoring institution in that field.

MajorProgramsAvg 5-yr premiumAvg scoreTop-ranked institution
Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician1$385,430
Operations Research4$372,815516,509Columbia University in the City of New York
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering4$343,197981,968Maine Maritime Academy
Marine Transportation7$325,9961,310,240Northwestern Michigan College
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology3$320,451603,109University of California-San Diego
Systems Engineering5$319,405919,128University of Florida
Computer Engineering112$308,998774,187University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Computer Science227$301,468662,093University of California-Berkeley
Mining and Mineral Engineering4$299,295711,642University of Arizona
Construction Engineering6$281,545729,422California State University-Sacramento
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering211$279,655622,913University of California-Berkeley
Petroleum Engineering17$272,629649,478Texas Tech University
Engineering Science5$270,617318,153Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering1$266,266546,273University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Industrial Engineering61$264,044541,414Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering50$259,892489,605California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Electromechanical Engineering1$259,870276,336Wentworth Institute of Technology
Chemical Engineering138$257,783479,564University of Florida
Statistics26$256,519440,511Harvard University
Engineering Mechanics2$255,726498,330Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Nuclear Engineering6$252,207433,456Missouri University of Science and Technology
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician32$243,466630,239University of Florida
Agricultural and Food Products Processing1$243,006538,757Kansas State University
Construction Management38$241,282521,191California State University-Chico
Systems Science and Theory3$241,189333,874Carnegie Mellon University
Polymer/Plastics Engineering2$237,921411,527University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Engineering-Related Fields18$237,489381,640Stanford University
Mechanical Engineering271$237,152424,957Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Architectural Engineering10$235,174430,169Auburn University
Materials Engineering20$233,022413,074University of Florida
Materials Sciences1$232,894341,612Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Engineering Physics3$231,712440,225University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Biomedical/Medical Engineering84$230,639331,009Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing774$229,612457,469CUNY Medgar Evers College
Engineering, General33$228,121341,934McNeese State University
Engineering, Other11$227,949428,667California State University-Chico
Metallurgical Engineering3$226,284446,672Missouri University of Science and Technology
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection3$225,336658,566Utah Valley University
Manufacturing Engineering7$222,450449,822California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Ocean Engineering4$221,935375,536Florida Atlantic University
Computer and Information Sciences, General306$217,551462,043BYU-Pathway Worldwide — Information Technology (US students; degree via BYU-Idaho)
Applied Mathematics23$215,902312,735University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Biochemical Engineering1$214,720305,863University of Colorado Boulder
Civil Engineering188$213,927369,154CUNY City College
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians26$208,229443,161CUNY New York City College of Technology
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians5$208,076327,156University of Toledo
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other3$206,739459,937Capella University
Mathematics and Statistics, Other4$203,607245,096University of Notre Dame
Agricultural Engineering16$203,554336,169University of Maryland-College Park
Insurance15$203,233339,171University of Wisconsin-Madison
Fire Protection14$202,733484,991Purdue University Global
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians1$202,689379,723Ferris State University
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other8$199,508471,392Maine Maritime Academy
Computer Programming14$199,005335,675University of Michigan-Dearborn
Computer Systems Analysis8$194,429325,087University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Real Estate14$194,400275,965University of Wisconsin-Madison
Management Information Systems and Services112$193,245338,945The University of Texas at Austin
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians16$192,410417,287Columbia Southern University
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management39$192,151359,607Capella University
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians11$188,341329,483University of Houston-Downtown
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians41$187,377338,246Farmingdale State College
Geological/Geophysical Engineering2$186,427252,699Missouri University of Science and Technology
Mathematics and Computer Science2$185,647335,186University of Akron Main Campus
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians2$183,478208,930The University of Findlay
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods66$183,065292,940CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering30$182,817265,373CUNY City College
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians2$182,670309,807Ferris State University
Information Science/Studies66$182,413315,665Utah Valley University
Economics290$180,999187,530Duke University
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General22$179,189308,679Bemidji State University
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications21$177,675312,685Weber State University
Business/Managerial Economics57$175,391231,628Brigham Young University
Finance and Financial Management Services348$174,214230,964University of Pennsylvania
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions64$173,848330,397CUNY Hunter College
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians3$170,432182,520Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians37$170,428326,672Weber State University
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians9$170,211277,782University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Biological/Biosystems Engineering5$170,116267,286University of Florida
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations18$163,307314,248Western Governors University
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions131$161,005250,903University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration11$159,817243,695University of Hawaii at Hilo
Science, Technology and Society8$157,348188,313Texas Tech University
Cognitive Science9$154,937150,902University of California-Berkeley
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians7$153,223282,818Purdue University-Main Campus
Accounting and Related Services569$152,833183,834CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations3$152,826116,746Norwich University
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians1$152,355247,136Nicholls State University
Physics32$150,642191,342Portland State University
International Business64$148,974168,416University of Georgia
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other21$148,584158,314Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Mathematics195$146,648166,489Duke University
Agricultural Mechanization8$141,400201,517Iowa State University
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians5$139,825182,991Western Michigan University
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions54$138,668173,867University of Hawaii at Manoa
Forest Engineering1$138,516151,539Oregon State University
Architectural Sciences and Technology6$137,732173,608University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other11$137,262200,992
Air Transportation34$136,249177,843Utah Valley University
Public Policy Analysis19$135,985108,193Cornell University
Biotechnology11$134,843189,375Worcester State University
Medical Illustration and Informatics2$133,633376,054Western Governors University
Textile Sciences and Engineering1$131,968164,764North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Landscape Architecture13$131,726145,230University of Georgia
International and Comparative Education1$130,70249,049Duke University
Human Resources Management and Services116$128,944136,683University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Science Technologies/Technicians, Other4$127,555117,966Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Pharmacology and Toxicology3$127,546114,992University of California-Santa Barbara
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other3$126,642198,283Ohio State University-Main Campus
Food Science and Technology20$126,460130,948Kansas State University
Housing and Human Environments6$126,143252,276Brigham Young University
Homeland Security16$125,568149,042American Public University System
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3$121,487137,180University of Rhode Island
Soil Sciences5$118,664131,759The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Agricultural Business and Management62$117,643131,477Cornell University
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other6$116,604126,194University of Virginia-Main Campus
Marketing392$112,854102,168Brigham Young University
Architecture63$112,086100,679California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Business Administration, Management and Operations986$111,843110,651BYU-Pathway Worldwide — Applied Business Management (US students; degree via BYU-Idaho)
Business/Commerce, General164$111,31798,243Indiana University-Bloomington
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education2$109,483110,912Texas A & M International University
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution3$107,702118,965University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Human Computer Interaction2$104,152155,707Stony Brook University
Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences2$103,24379,544Mercy University
Public Administration35$101,925108,627Barry University
Computer Software and Media Applications36$100,135193,215BYU-Pathway Worldwide — Software Development (US students; degree via BYU-Idaho)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations30$99,84484,989Brigham Young University
International Relations and National Security Studies83$99,39759,926Brigham Young University
Chemistry139$98,47087,555University of North Alabama
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services7$95,24061,349Syracuse University
Interior Architecture7$94,67177,650University of North Texas
Business/Corporate Communications13$94,66969,628CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Health and Medical Administrative Services155$93,81184,048CUNY New York City College of Technology
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology8$92,64868,639University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology82$92,51271,200University of California-Santa Barbara
Urban Studies/Affairs14$91,79379,029CUNY Queens College
Physical Sciences, General1$91,64569,731Arizona State University Campus Immersion
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning11$91,36077,544California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science4$90,29296,487University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences27$90,25565,829California State University-San Marcos
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other39$90,19273,491University of North Carolina Wilmington
Astronomy and Astrophysics2$89,84552,256University of Colorado Boulder
Forestry22$89,84587,250North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology37$87,93781,212San Francisco State University
Non-Professional Legal Studies27$86,90058,342University of Maryland Global Campus
International Agriculture1$82,82071,396Iowa State University
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication133$82,42050,572Brigham Young University
Human Biology6$81,74430,874Stanford University
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other7$81,13450,869Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies1$80,58251,154James Madison University
Political Science and Government431$79,16144,636American Public University System
Genetics8$78,67955,337University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other2$78,27756,184Clemson University
Security Science and Technology26$77,88366,280Robert Morris University
Plant Sciences38$77,65670,131California State University-Fresno
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other134$77,29366,657University of the Pacific
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences65$76,98957,508Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Sustainability Studies7$76,09543,988Columbia University in the City of New York
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services4$74,98254,618Ohio State University-Main Campus
Biological and Physical Sciences20$74,87645,144University of Notre Dame
Public Health118$73,06359,442Montana Technological University
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services6$72,18061,901Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Agricultural Public Services7$72,06251,374University of Wisconsin-Madison
Environmental Design4$71,71041,324Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies15$71,24864,260Texas Tech University
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics1$70,77155,184Brigham Young University
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General93$69,60352,886Touro University
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs22$67,83138,517Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations36$66,38837,131Northwood University
Geography and Cartography65$65,69747,491California State University-Sacramento
Psychology, Other4$65,43921,743Marist University
Neurobiology and Neurosciences56$65,06625,499Dartmouth College
Social Sciences, Other27$64,46240,223University of California-Berkeley
Agriculture, General31$64,25447,278California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Area Studies46$63,39128,452Miami University-Oxford
Historic Preservation and Conservation1$61,34529,071College of Charleston
Apparel and Textiles36$60,67443,523Indiana University-Bloomington
Legal Support Services19$59,21240,954Peirce College
International/Globalization Studies52$59,13540,666American Public University System
Special Education and Teaching124$59,08938,339Utah State University
Criminal Justice and Corrections494$58,93634,446Columbia Southern University
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas281$58,83335,382CUNY Queens College
Social Sciences, General58$57,87432,871Vanderbilt University
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants2$57,39281,732Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus
Criminology83$57,04826,892University of Massachusetts Global
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other11$56,93432,776West Virginia University
Biology, General682$56,83827,182Carlow University
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences39$56,67126,724San Francisco State University
Hospitality Administration/Management114$55,38129,796Cornell University
Gerontology5$55,26635,952Kansas State University
Community Organization and Advocacy15$54,59628,111Northwestern University
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy18$53,82031,199California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions33$53,55230,800Metropolitan State University
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics145$52,78423,822Vanderbilt University
Journalism137$52,47224,371California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Physical Sciences, Other1$52,44822,086University of Mary Washington
Legal Professions and Studies, Other5$52,25821,024Ball State University
Communication and Media Studies498$51,87926,209BYU-Pathway Worldwide — Communication (US students; degree via BYU-Idaho)
Nutrition Sciences26$50,74726,067North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General30$50,71430,861Lehigh University
Natural Resources Conservation and Research178$50,19228,721Columbia Southern University
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services32$49,75032,060CUNY Brooklyn College
Biopsychology1$49,4356,919Tufts University
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods554$48,51125,229College of Staten Island CUNY
Philosophy43$48,06223,061CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities316$47,69525,582DePaul University
Research and Experimental Psychology36$47,03016,662Columbia University in the City of New York
Design and Applied Arts219$46,67628,352Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions37$46,66734,845CUNY York College
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services28$46,62022,871The University of Texas at Austin
Social Work296$46,07622,891CUNY York College
Agricultural Production Operations8$45,37561,423North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs5$44,25915,898University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Curriculum and Instruction1$43,51724,163University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Natural Sciences8$42,78619,716Kansas State University
Educational Administration and Supervision5$42,69227,676University of Delaware
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology35$42,56125,155CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Sociology347$42,17117,450Columbia University in the City of New York
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness436$41,70617,534American Public University System
Animal Sciences70$39,78917,741Mississippi State University
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services89$38,95718,946CUNY Lehman College
Education, Other13$38,69521,527University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
History324$38,64716,123Dartmouth College
Education, General45$37,91916,529University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies36$37,55719,169Brigham Young University
Architecture and Related Services, Other1$37,27711,807University of Arizona
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other6$36,79119,741Empire State University
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics16$34,15415,362University of Notre Dame
Behavioral Sciences9$33,29012,202University of Kansas
Health-Related Knowledge and Skills1$32,8117,842University of Rhode Island
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language3$32,739103,184CUNY Queens College
Human Services, General54$32,11911,552CUNY New York City College of Technology
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies51$31,85412,640Sonoma State University
Psychology, General795$31,5999,252Virginia Military Institute
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management37$31,18212,954University of Florida
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication101$31,06318,510Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians8$30,07626,373St Petersburg College
Theological and Ministerial Studies15$29,32715,971College of Biblical Studies-Houston
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services112$28,3716,438California State University-East Bay
Sociology and Anthropology4$26,7327,044College of Staten Island CUNY
English Language and Literature, General422$25,1777,432University of Houston-Clear Lake
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General38$24,62410,422SUNY Oneonta
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies79$24,37714,447Clemson University
Bible/Biblical Studies26$23,0457,356Harding University
Religious Music and Worship1$22,4312,993Liberty University
Marine Sciences2$22,1335,012California State University-Monterey Bay
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management7$21,6608,812University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Religious Education8$21,1826,608Concordia University-Nebraska
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services56$20,94911,454University of North Georgia
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services4$20,64518,304Valdosta State University
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management25$19,77111,479Valley City State University
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology39$19,6586,217California State University-Fullerton
American Sign Language7$18,77263Gallaudet University
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management28$17,0152,855The New School
Graphic Communications39$15,67215,093California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Anthropology126$13,7994,173CUNY Lehman College
Botany/Plant Biology1$13,3741,777California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research2$11,9191,091University of Arizona
Classical and Ancient Studies1$11,4321,224University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Culinary Arts and Related Services12$10,2423,493Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries12$10,2032,284Evangel University
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other3$9,0582,151University of North Alabama
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other1$8,948504Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Zoology/Animal Biology32$8,8734,834University of Connecticut
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other2$8,1204,391Framingham State University
Communications Technologies/Technicians2$6,5351,921Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians16$5,9182,273Bowie State University
Music170$3,0136,492The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Literature4$1,679-914Pace University
Film/Video and Photographic Arts104$1311Chapman University
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies2-$832101University of Idaho
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems3-$2,343-184The University of Arizona Global Campus
Archeology1-$2,909-108University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Religion/Religious Studies23-$3,648-15,873Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services6-$4,860-444Midway University
Visual and Performing Arts, General35-$4,992-1,275University of Central Florida
Fine and Studio Arts331-$6,694-1,840California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Library Science and Administration1-$11,321-852The University of Arizona Global Campus
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry2-$13,158-3,763College for Creative Studies
Visual and Performing Arts, Other5-$14,554-5,305SUNY at Purchase College
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis1-$15,201-1,930Northern Arizona University
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology1-$15,740-1,804Moody Bible Institute
Dance29-$16,737-3,769Texas State University
Leisure and Recreational Activities2-$17,580-3,370SUNY at Fredonia
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft180-$26,791-8,123University of Notre Dame
Woodworking1-$45,621-6,367Rhode Island School of Design