College students majoring in the technology disciplines, especially the engineering tracks, dominated the list of top-paying majors in 2012 according to a new report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
NACE’s January 2013 Salary Survey found that six engineering majors were among the 10 highest paid at the bachelor’s degree level.
“This is not surprising since the supply of these graduates is low, but the demand for them is so high,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.
At an average starting salary of $70,400, computer engineering was the highest-paid major in 2012.
Other engineering majors that were among the top 10 were chemical engineering, ($66,400, second,) aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineering ($64,000, fourth,) mechanical engineering ($62,900, fifth,) electrical/electronics and communications engineering ($62,300, sixth,) and civil engineering ($57,600, seventh.)
Computer science majors earned starting salaries that averaged $64,400, the third most among bachelor’s-degree graduates in 2012.
Other non-engineering majors whose average starting salaries were among the highest were finance ($57,300, eighth,) construction science/management ($56,600, ninth,) and information sciences and systems ($56,100, tenth.)
Here’s the list of the top 10 best paying majors for new college graduates in 2012 according to NACE:
Major / Average Starting Salary
- Computer Engineering / $70,400
- Chemical Engineering / $66,400
- Computer Science / $64,400
- Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering / $64,000
- Mechanical Engineering / $62,900
- Electrical/Electronics and Communications Engineering / $62,300
- Civil Engineering / $57,600
- Finance / $57,300
- Construction Science/Management / $56,600
- Information Sciences and Systems / $56,100
An executive summary of the January 2013 Salary Survey report is available at the NACE website.
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