Top 10 College Degrees with the Highest Return on Investment (ROI)

 


Discover the top 10 college degrees with the highest return on investment (ROI), highlighting average salaries, career opportunities, and the demand for graduates in fields like engineering, nursing, finance, and IT.

1. Petroleum Engineering

Overview: Specializing in the extraction and production of oil and natural gas, a degree in petroleum engineering offers some of the highest starting salaries, driven by the growing demand for energy resources.

Average Salary: Over $130,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Roles include petroleum engineer, drilling engineer, and reservoir engineer.

2. Electrical Engineering

Overview: This degree focuses on designing and developing electrical systems, providing strong job prospects across various sectors, including electronics, power generation, and telecommunications.

Average Salary: Around $105,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Careers include electrical engineer, systems engineer, and control systems engineer.

3. Computer Science

Overview: With the surge in technology and data reliance, computer science graduates enjoy high demand. This field encompasses software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Average Salary: Approximately $100,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Positions include software developer, data scientist, and cybersecurity analyst.

4. Nursing

Overview: Nursing degrees offer a reliable path to employment due to high demand in healthcare, especially with an aging population.

Average Salary: Around $75,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Jobs include registered nurse, nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist.

5. Mechanical Engineering

Overview: Mechanical engineering focuses on designing and manufacturing mechanical systems, applicable in various industries from automotive to aerospace, ensuring high job stability.

Average Salary: Approximately $90,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Roles include mechanical engineer, product designer, and automotive engineer.

6. Finance

Overview: A finance degree concentrates on financial management, investment analysis, and corporate finance, leading to lucrative career paths in finance and banking.

Average Salary: Around $85,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Positions include financial analyst, investment banker, and portfolio manager.

7. Civil Engineering

Overview: Civil engineering involves designing and constructing essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings, providing high job security.

Average Salary: Approximately $87,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Careers include civil engineer, structural engineer, and project manager.

8. Pharmacy

Overview: A pharmacy degree leads to in-demand careers in healthcare, with significant earnings potential, especially for licensed pharmacists.

Average Salary: Around $125,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Jobs include pharmacist, clinical pharmacist, and pharmaceutical researcher.

9. Economics

Overview: Graduates with an economics degree possess strong analytical skills, applicable in various sectors such as finance, policy, and business, making this a versatile and valuable degree.

Average Salary: Approximately $80,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Roles include economist, policy analyst, and financial consultant.

10. Information Technology (IT)

Overview: IT professionals are in high demand for roles in network management, cybersecurity, and systems administration, offering strong job security and competitive salaries.

Average Salary: Around $90,000 per year.

Career Opportunities: Positions include IT manager, network administrator, and cybersecurity specialist.

 

Source: College Scorecard , Bureau of Labor Statistics,