Average College Graduate Salary 2025: By Major
Explore 2025 college graduate salaries across majors: STEM leads with highest pay.
Average College Graduate Salary 2025: Understanding Earnings by Major and Field
Choosing a college major is one of the most significant decisions a student can make, and salary potential is often a key consideration. As the Class of 2025 enters the job market, understanding average starting salaries across different fields and majors can help graduates make informed career decisions and set realistic financial expectations. In 2025, college graduate salaries vary dramatically based on field of study, with some majors commanding significantly higher starting wages than others.
Overall Average Starting Salary for 2025 College Graduates
The average starting salary for 2025 college graduates is projected to be approximately $68,680. This figure represents a baseline for what most new graduates can expect to earn in their first year after graduation. However, it’s important to understand that this average masks significant variation across different academic fields and disciplines.
The overall salary landscape for the Class of 2025 presents mixed results compared to the previous year. While some fields experienced salary growth, others saw modest declines. This mixed outlook reflects the dynamic nature of the job market and varying demand across industries.
Highest-Paying College Majors and Fields
When examining which majors command the highest starting salaries, a clear pattern emerges: technical and quantitative fields consistently outpace their counterparts in humanities and social sciences. Understanding these high-paying fields can help prospective students evaluate potential career trajectories and financial returns on their educational investment.
Engineering and Technology Lead the Pack
Engineering remains the top-paying field for college graduates. Aerospace engineering stands as the highest-paying major, with graduates earning approximately $76,000 as a starting salary and reaching $125,000 by mid-career. Other prominent engineering disciplines also command impressive salaries:
– Computer Engineering: Starting salary of $82,565, representing a 6.5% increase from the previous year- Software Engineering: Starting salary of $82,536, up 5.8% from the prior year- General Engineering: Average starting salary of $78,731
Engineering majors collectively are projected to have an overall average starting salary of $78,731, up 2.6% from the previous year. By mid-career, engineering graduates typically earn $120,000 or more, making the field one of the most lucrative long-term career paths available.
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
One of the most striking trends in 2025 salary data is the emergence of artificial intelligence as a high-paying field. Graduates entering AI-related positions command an impressive average starting salary of $130,548, substantially higher than nearly all other fields. This reflects the explosive demand for AI talent and the specialized skills required in this rapidly growing sector.
Computer Science and Information Technology
Computer science majors continue to maintain strong earning potential. The overall projection for the Class of 2025 is $76,251, up 2% from $74,778 for the Class of 2024. Within this category, individual specializations show consistent growth:
– Computer Science majors: projected increase of 1.7%- Information Sciences and Systems majors: projected increase of 1.8%- Software Applications majors: projected increase of 2.5%
These stable projections reflect sustained demand for technology professionals across industries.
Finance and Business Fields
Finance represents another lucrative field for graduates. Finance majors have an average starting salary of $84,387, with strong mid-career growth potential. Finance majors also rank among the top bachelor’s degrees in demand, with 67.1% of employer respondents reporting plans to hire finance and computer science majors.
Business graduates more broadly have an average starting salary projection of $65,276 for the Class of 2025, representing a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Within the business category, management information systems majors command particularly high salaries at $71,556, though this represents a decrease from the prior year’s projection of $73,695.
Healthcare Salaries
Healthcare fields offer moderate starting salaries with potential for growth. The average starting salary for healthcare graduates is $68,485. While this aligns with the overall graduate average, healthcare offers different long-term career prospects depending on specialization, with nursing graduates starting at $65,000 and potentially reaching $84,000 by mid-career.
Mid-Career Salary Growth Across Majors
One of the most important considerations for college graduates is how their salary will evolve throughout their career. Data from 2023 reveals encouraging trends for many graduates, particularly those who initially start with lower salaries.
STEM Fields Maintain Advantage
Graduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields experience the most robust career earnings. According to Federal Reserve Bank of New York research:
– Engineering majors: Mid-career salary of $120,000 or more- Computer Science majors: Average mid-career salary of $115,000- Finance majors: Average mid-career salary of $110,000- Economics majors: Average mid-career salary of $110,000- Physics majors: Average mid-career salary of $100,000- Mathematics majors: Average mid-career salary of $100,000
Salary Growth in Non-STEM Fields
While STEM fields start higher, many non-STEM graduates experience significant salary growth by mid-career. The gap between STEM and humanities majors narrows substantially:
– Communications majors: Growing from $52,000 to $85,000 (64% increase)- Ethnic Studies majors: Growing from $45,000 to $83,000 (84% increase)- History majors: Growing from $45,000 to $77,000 (71% increase)- Political Science majors: Growing from $54,000 to $90,000 (67% increase)- International Affairs majors: Growing from $60,000 to $100,000 (67% increase)
Salary Comparison Table by Major
| Major | Starting Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Salary Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $80,000 | $122,000 | 53% |
| Chemical Engineering | $80,000 | $122,000 | 53% |
| Computer Science | $80,000 | $115,000 | 44% |
| Finance | $70,000 | $110,000 | 57% |
| Economics | $70,000 | $110,000 | 57% |
| Physics | $70,000 | $100,000 | 44% |
| Accounting | $60,000 | $88,000 | 47% |
| General Business | $60,000 | $90,000 | 50% |
| Marketing | $57,000 | $90,000 | 58% |
| Chemistry | $55,000 | $90,000 | 64% |
| Communications | $52,000 | $85,000 | 64% |
| Journalism | $50,000 | $85,000 | 70% |
| English Language | $45,000 | $70,000 | 56% |
| Psychology | $45,000 | $70,000 | 56% |
| Elementary Education | $43,000 | $53,000 | 23% |
Lowest-Paying College Majors
While STEM fields dominate the highest-paying categories, certain majors consistently show lower starting salaries. Education represents one of the lowest-paying fields, with an average starting salary of $46,526 according to the National Education Association.
The bottom 10 majors in overall rankings have median salaries ranging between $40,000 and $53,000 annually. These fields, often in the humanities and social services, require careful evaluation of return on investment relative to potential student debt.
Return on Investment (ROI) Considerations
When evaluating college majors, understanding return on investment is crucial. Bankrate’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data ranking 152 bachelor’s degrees revealed that not all college degrees are created equally. STEM bachelor’s degrees are most often associated with steady employment and solid income, while ROI is not as obvious for those with degrees in arts and humanities.
However, the data shows that many non-STEM graduates can achieve significant salary increases over their careers. According to Bankrate’s research, graduates in fields like ethnic studies, history, and communications experience substantial salary growth by mid-career, with increases ranging from 56% to 84%.
Factors Affecting Graduate Salaries
Field-Specific Demand
Employer demand significantly influences starting salaries. Finance and computer science majors top the list of bachelor’s degrees in demand, with 67.1% of employer respondents reporting plans to hire both majors. High demand correlates directly with higher starting salaries and more competitive compensation packages.
Geographic Location
While national averages provide useful benchmarks, geographic location substantially impacts actual earning potential. Tech hubs and major metropolitan areas typically offer higher starting salaries than rural regions.
Advanced Degrees
The percentage of workers with advanced degrees varies significantly by major. Some fields see higher rates of graduate degree attainment, which can influence both long-term earning potential and career flexibility.
Special Considerations: Personal Experiences
Real-world examples help illustrate how salary projections play out in practice. One Bankrate senior analyst who graduated with a marketing degree in 2018 earned approximately $42,000 in their first position, slightly below the projected average. The initial experience with limited job security prompted pursuing a master’s degree in a STEM field, ultimately achieving comparable salaries to peers who immediately entered large corporations with higher starting pay.
Planning Your College Major with Salary in Mind
Graduates should carefully consider several factors when choosing a major:
- Evaluate your ability to handle student loan debt associated with the degree
- Research career prospects beyond starting salary
- Consider potential for salary growth throughout your career
- Assess industry demand and job market stability
- Balance financial considerations with personal interests and aptitudes
The return on investment ultimately depends on your specific career prospects and potential salary band within your chosen field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the average starting salary for 2025 college graduates?
A: The average starting salary for 2025 college graduates is approximately $68,680. However, this varies significantly by major, with STEM fields typically earning $70,000-$80,000 and some fields like artificial intelligence reaching $130,548.
Q: Which college major has the highest starting salary?
A: Artificial intelligence currently has the highest starting salary at approximately $130,548. Within traditional majors, aerospace and computer engineering lead with starting salaries around $82,500-$82,565.
Q: Do non-STEM majors offer good long-term earning potential?
A: While STEM majors start higher, many non-STEM graduates experience significant salary growth by mid-career. For example, ethnic studies graduates see an 84% salary increase, and history majors experience 71% growth.
Q: What factors influence college graduate salaries?
A: Key factors include field of study, employer demand, geographic location, degree specialization, and career progression. STEM fields generally offer higher starting salaries but opportunity exists across all majors.
Q: Should salary potential be the only factor in choosing a major?
A: No. While salary is important, consider your interests, aptitudes, job market stability, potential student debt, and long-term career satisfaction. Personal fulfillment and career growth are equally important factors.
References
- Career Outlook for College Graduates in 2025 — Fastweb. 2025. https://www.fastweb.com/student-news/articles/career-outlook-recent-college-graduates
- ROI Of College Majors By Early And Mid-Career Salaries — Bankrate. 2025. https://www.bankrate.com/loans/student-loans/roi-mid-career-by-major/
- Class of 2025 Salary Projections Mixed — National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). 2025. https://www.naceweb.org/job-market/compensation/class-of-2025-salary-projections-mixed
- Study: Workers With Stem Degrees Are More Likely To Have Higher Earnings — Bankrate. 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/loans/student-loans/college-majors-data-study/
- Highest-Paying College Majors in 2025 — Best Colleges. 2025. https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/highest-paying-college-majors/
- 2022 American Community Survey Data Analysis — U.S. Census Bureau. 2023. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York Research on College Earnings — Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 2023. https://www.newyorkfed.org/
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