Top 30 Highest Paying Degrees
Highest Paying Degrees – the highest paying undergraduate degrees:
|
Undergraduate Degree
|
Starting Salary
|
Mid-Career Salary
|
Online Degree
Available?
|
| Petroleum Engineering |
$93,000
|
$157,000
|
|
| Aerospace Engineering |
$59,400
|
$108,000
|
|
| Chemical Engineering |
$64,800
|
$108,000
|
|
| Electrical Engineering |
$60,800
|
$104,000
|
Yes |
| Nuclear Engineering |
$63,900
|
$104,000
|
|
| Applied Mathematics |
$56,400
|
$101,000
|
|
| Biomedical Engineering |
$54,800
|
$101,000
|
|
| Physics |
$50,700
|
$99,600
|
|
| Computer Engineering |
$61,200
|
$99,500
|
Yes |
| Economics |
$48,800
|
$97,800
|
Yes |
| Computer Science |
$56,200
|
$97,700
|
Yes |
| Industrial Engineering |
$58,200
|
$97,600
|
Yes |
| Mechanical Engineering |
$58,300
|
$97,400
|
Yes |
| Building Construction |
$52,900
|
$94,500
|
|
| Materials Science & Engineering |
$59,400
|
$93,600
|
|
| Civil Engineering |
$53,500
|
$93,400
|
Yes |
| Statistics |
$50,000
|
$92,900
|
|
| Finance |
$47,500
|
$91,500
|
Yes |
| Software Engineering |
$56,700
|
$91,300
|
Yes |
| Management Information Systems |
$50,900
|
$90,300
|
Yes |
| Mathematics |
$46,400
|
$88,300
|
|
| Government |
$41,500
|
$87,300
|
Yes |
| Information Systems |
$49,300
|
$87,100
|
Yes |
| Construction Management |
$50,400
|
$87,000
|
|
| Environmental Engineering |
$51,000
|
$85,500
|
|
| Electrical Engineering Technology |
$55,500
|
$85,300
|
Yes |
| Supply Chain Management |
$49,400
|
$84,500
|
Yes |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology |
$53,300
|
$84,300
|
Yes |
| Chemistry |
$42,400
|
$83,700
|
|
| Computer Information Systems |
$48,300
|
$83,100
|
Yes |
How to Earn Your Degree Online
Want to earn one of the highest paying degrees, but don’t have the time to attend night or weekend classes? Although some of the degrees listed in the top 30 can only be earned on campus, several of these lucrative degrees can be earned 100% online from the comfort of home.
The Internet makes it possible to unite students and instructors without long commutes or fixed class schedules. Working professionals can study at night. Stay-at-home parents can study during kids’ nap time. Military members can study from any new post to which they are assigned. One thing all of these students have in common: they are busy, ambitious learners, who simply need a flexible way to earn a college degree.
If you want to earn your degree online, we have included a list of universities offering the degrees listed above through online study.
Compare universities offering the highest paying degrees online now:
Online Systems Engineering Degrees
Systems engineering deals with work-processes and tools to handle complex projects and it overlaps with both technical and human-centered disciplines such as control engineering, industrial engineering, organizational studies, and project management.
- Colorado Tech University (Bachelor’s)
- Colorado Tech University (Master’s)
Online Computer Engineering Degrees
Computer engineering, also called computer systems engineering, is a discipline that integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer science required to develop computer systems. Computer engineers usually have training in electronic engineering, software design, and hardware-software integration instead of only software engineering or electronic engineering.
Online Electrical Engineering Degrees
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism.
Online Mechanical Engineering Degrees
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools.
Online Industrial Engineering Degrees
Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering dealing with the optimization of complex processes or systems. It is concerned with the development, improvement, implementation and evaluation of integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information, equipment, energy, materials, analysis and synthesis, as well as the mathematical, physical and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems or processes.
Online Engineering Technology Degrees
An engineering technologist is a specialist devoted to the implementation of existing technology within a field of engineering. Technologists often work with engineers in a wide variety of projects by applying basic engineering principles and technical skills. The work of technologists is usually focused on the portion of the technological spectrum closest to product improvement, manufacturing, construction, and engineering operational functions.
Online Civil Engineering Degrees
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like bridges, roads, canals, dams, and buildings.
Online Computer Science Degrees
The finance major provides you with a general understanding of financial decision-making and an insight into the way financial markets perform. Emphasis is on the financial management function in firms and not-for-profit organizations, the valuation of financial securities, and the appropriate management of financial risk.
Online Finance Degrees
The finance major provides you with a general understanding of financial decision-making and an insight into the way financial markets perform. Emphasis is on the financial management function in firms and not-for-profit organizations, the valuation of financial securities, and the appropriate management of financial risk.
Online Management Information Systems Degrees
Management Information Systems (MIS) programs provide students with business and technology skills to be able to manage data systems and meet business challenges using information technology tools. Tools include computer hardware, operating systems, networking, programming, and database management systems.
Online Computer Information Systems Degrees
Computer Information Systems (CIS) integrates courses that provide a strong business background with advanced training in applying computer technology to management. You will learn to design computerized systems that meet the needs of today’s businesses. The majority of your courses involve the development of hands-on skills, using computer technology in designing business solutions that embody the conceptual framework of systems theory.
- Walden University (7 concentrations available)
Online Supply Chain Management Degrees
Supply chain management refers to management of the acquisition, movement, and storage of raw materials, inventory, and finished goods. The management of supplies is an essential function in terms of overall business success.
Online Economics Degrees
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. Within this field there are many sub-fields, ranging from the broad philosophical theories to the focused study of minutiae within specific markets, macroeconomic analysis, microeconomic analysis or financial statement analysis, involving analytical methods and tools such as econometrics, statistics, economics computational models, financial economics, mathematical finance and mathematical economics.
- Strayer University (Associate’s, Bachelor’s)
- Grand Canyon University (Bachelor’s)
Online Government / Political Science Degrees
A bachelor’s degree in government or political science can lead to exciting careers in federal, state and local governments, law, business, international organizations, nonprofit associations and organizations, campaign management and polling, journalism, electoral politics, research and university and college teaching.
- Walden University (6 concentrations available)
About the Highest Paying Degrees
You will probably notice that most of these high paying degrees require math skills. If you have great math aptitude, enrolling in any of these degrees will not be a problem. But then, if you are not so good at math, enrolling in a school with high quality education will give you the proper training needed to succeed in your field.
Just how high will your salary be if you choose any of these degrees? If, for instance, you graduate with a degree on Petroleum Engineering, you will be offered a starting salary of $93,000.
If you earn a Chemical Engineering degree, your starting salary will most likely be $64,800. Take note that these numbers are several thousands of dollars higher than the national salary average. In fact, this is close to what many people who already have graduate degrees earn… so it pays, literally, to pursue one of these degrees.
