When evaluating entry-level compensation, engineering, technology, and specialized quantitative fields consistently lead the pack. Based on graduate placement data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), STEM programs deliver the strongest immediate return on investment for standard four-year bachelor’s degrees.
Top 10 Bachelor’s Degrees by Average Starting Salary
Note: Salary figures represent estimated national base pay for entry-level positions directly out of college. Actual offer packages often increase significantly when factoring in signing bonuses, performance incentives, or tech equity grants.
| Rank | University Major / Degree Track | Average Starting Base Salary | Primary Career Paths |
| 1 | Petroleum Engineering | $85,000 – $100,000 | Reservoir Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Energy Analyst |
| 2 | Computer Engineering | $80,000 – $85,000 | Hardware Engineer, Embedded Systems Developer, Network Architect |
| 3 | Computer Science / Software Engineering | $78,000 – $83,000 | Software Developer, Full-Stack Engineer, AI/ML Specialist |
| 4 | Chemical Engineering | $77,000 – $80,000 | Process Engineer, Materials Scientist, Biochemical Engineer |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | $75,000 – $78,000 | Electronics Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Controls Engineer |
| 6 | Aerospace Engineering | $74,000 – $77,000 | Avionics Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, Systems Specialist |
| 7 | Applied Mathematics & Statistics | $72,000 – $75,000 | Quantitative Analyst, Data Scientist, Actuarial Assistant |
| 8 | Mechanical Engineering | $71,000 – $74,000 | Design Engineer, Robotics Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer |
| 9 | Management Information Systems (MIS) | $68,000 – $72,000 | Systems Analyst, Cloud Solutions Consultant, IT Manager |
| 10 | Finance / Financial Economics | $65,000 – $70,000 | Investment Banking Analyst, Financial Analyst, Risk Consultant |
Key Industry Drivers & Nuances
- Niche Demand vs. Scale: Petroleum engineering consistently sits at the top due to intense localized demand, technical hazards, and relocation requirements, though overall job volume is smaller compared to software or mechanical roles.
- Total Compensation Spikes: Majors like Computer Science and Finance often report lower base salary averages than their real total earnings. In tech hubs or investment banking, year-one signing bonuses, annual performance bonuses, and stock options frequently push first-year packages past $110,000+.
- Long-Term Trajectory: While engineering degrees hold the highest starting baselines, quantitative business degrees (such as Finance and Economics) often experience steeper upward mobility, frequently matching or exceeding engineering mid-career earnings after 7–10 years.