What Are the Highest Paying College Majors?

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10. Biochemistry

Biochemistry majors can expect to earn about $41,700 as a starting salary and $84,700 as a mid-level salary. Biochemistry is a good choice due to the many job opportunities that it offers. You can work in hospitals, labs, research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, agriculture organizations, clinics, the oil and gas industry, food manufacturing plants and more.

9. Construction Management

Construction managers, as you might guess, oversee the construction of any type of building, big or small; and for this, they are well compensated. A starting salary for a construction manager is usually around $50,000, and mid-level salaries are around $85,000.

 

8. Government and Political Science
You might think that those majoring in government and political science are only destined for political office, but that isn't true at all. Those with this major have tons of career options in all sorts of government jobs, like lobbyists, think tanks, political campaigns and aid organizations. You can also find work in non-government fields, such as education, finance, business and marketing. Salaries for this major range from $39,900-$41,400 to start and $80,100-$87,300 at mid-level.

7. Finance

As a finance major, you'll be working with a lot of other people's money; and it's no surprise that some of that money would trickle down to you. You'll get a better start in your finance career if you do a few internships in your field. Once you do, you can expect to earn about $46,500 to start and $87,300 at mid-level.

6. Management Information Systems

You might not know what Management Information Systems is now, but you might soon. This fast growing field is adding about 17 percent more jobs each year. People in this field help a company organize its computer databases to become more efficient and productive. It might sound boring, but what sounds a little less boring is the salary. To start, you will earn about $51,000 and by mid-level you will be earning around $88,200.

5. Economics

Economics is another major that leaves you with tons of career options, from banking to finance to education and government. If none of those is your thing, you can also get jobs in law (with further education), consulting, public policy and research. Starting salary for those majoring in economics is around $47,300 but by mid career, you see a hefty boost to around $94,700.

4. Applied and General Mathematics

Before you immediately pass over math as a major, think about this: those who major in math have some of the lowest unemployment rates of any other major -- 95% of math majors are employed. They are also quite well compensated for their work, with a starting salary of around $47,000-$52,600 and a mid-career salary of $89,900-$98,600.

3. Physics

Physics is another of those subjects that makes most of our brains hurt, but if you can wrap your mind around it, you will be glad you did. Physics majors have a lot of options, working in museums, the military, laboratories and schools. They are also paid very well for understanding the way the universe works. Right out the gate they are paid nearly $50,000 and by mid career, they are making just over $100,000.

2. Computer Science

Do you want to work for a company like Apple or Microsoft and help program the next big thing in computers? Well, they want to pay you a lot to do it. Major in computer science and do well in school, including doing some internships and projects, and you'll probably land a job that starts out paying around $56,600. Keep at it, and by mid career, you'll be earning around $97,900.

 

1. Engineering

 

If you are simply looking for a job that pays the biggest bucks, you can't go wrong with a career in engineering. In fact, seven of the top highest paying college majors are various engineering majors, like petroleum, chemical, electrical, materials science and aerospace; so you have some room to choose one that matches your interests. Depending on which field you choose, you can start out getting paid between $51,700-$97,900, and by mid career, you be up to $88,600-$155,000.