View entire study abroad journey

Multiple stacks of coins with a graduation hat, a trophy and a paper cut out of a little family.

Top college degrees with the best salaries

Check out the top college degrees with best salaries and apply to start your study journey abroad with IDP!

Topics covered

Published: 9 July 2025

Are you planning to start your study abroad journey? Need to know which bachelor’s or college degree would help you start a successful high-paying career? Read this article to discover the top college degrees with the best salaries!

In today’s job market, having a bachelor’s degree is nearly a necessity to land a rewarding, well-paying job with any possibility for advancement; a bachelor’s degree is almost essential for entry into most professional careers.

If you are starting your educational journey abroad going for undergraduate studies, you should aim for the best bachelor’s degrees that would help you get a high-paying job. A bachelor’s degree is a great investment in your future. Some degrees pay you back and can have an even bigger impact on your future earning potential than your university choice.

What are the top 10 college majors with the best salaries?

According to the Payscale’s College Salary report 2021, the below are the best college/bachelor’s degrees that offer their graduates the highest paying careers in the job market. As you may notice, the list shows that the best bachelor degrees are mostly STEM-focused, meaning they are focused on science, technology, engineering or math. STEM degrees continue to be some of the highest paying degrees year after year.

Rank*	Field of Study	Degree Type	Early Career Salary	Mid-Career Salary
1	Petroleum Engineering	Bachelors	$93,200	$187,300
2	Operations Research & Industrial Engineering	Bachelors	$84,800	$170,400
3	Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS)	Bachelors	$108,500	$159,300
4	Interaction Design	Bachelors	$68,300	$155,800
5	Public Accounting	Bachelors	$59,800	$147,700
6	Operations Research	Bachelors	$83,500	$147,400
7	Applied Economics and Management	Bachelors	$66,100	$146,400
8	Business Computing (BC)	Bachelors	$73,000	$143,600
9	Actuarial Mathematics	Bachelors	$64,300	$143,400
10	Electrical Power Engineering	Bachelors	$76,100	$142,600

*Rank based on mid-career salary. Source: Payscale College Salary report

Other top majors with high starting salaries for graduates included:

Computer Systems Engineering: $79,000
Systems Engineering: $77,700
Chemical Engineering: $76,900
Pharmacy: $68,600

Explore all the courses and majors abroad!

Tip: Choose your major wisely!

Now you’ve known the best majors with the highest salaries. But which one would be your best fit? As you’re planning your future, our advice to you is to choose your major wisely. Your program prepares you for the jobs in demand and provides you with the skills you need to succeed.

Start by finding the best course that matches your interests. Your IDP counsellor can help you choose the best program for you from thousands of courses at top universities in Australia, UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and New Zealand. They will provide you with unbiased professional advice based on your needs and career aspirations.

Kick-start your successful career overseas! Speak with your IDP counsellor today!