PayScale is the world's largest salary data statistics website, releasing an annual report on college salary levels in the U.S.
PayScale's latest 2019-2020 College Salary Report was recently released. This year's ranking is based on compensation data from over 3.5 million alumni respondents from more than 4,000 colleges and universities across the U.S., offering a relatively intuitive reference for college, major, and career choices.
Now, let's take a look at this year's newly released college salary report!
US College Salary Potential Ranking
No.1 Harvey Mudd College
Mid-Career Salary for Graduates: $158,200
Harvey Mudd College ranks first in the PayScale College Salary Report for the second consecutive year. Harvey Mudd is a private college in Claremont, California, focused on STEM, specializing in science and engineering degrees. The college has only 809 undergraduate students, but its strength should not be underestimated.
No.2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mid-Career Salary for Graduates: $155,200
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is well-known to everyone as one of the most prestigious universities in the world and a pioneer in technology and science. At MIT, 85% of students complete their degrees with extensive research, and the earning power of graduates is evident to all.
No.3 Samuel Merritt University
Mid-Career Salary for Graduates: $154,100
Samuel Merritt University is a private university focused on health sciences, located in Oakland, California. It is the sole provider of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants, and is the largest source of nurses for the East Bay.
US College Salary Potential Top 50 Ranking
Highest Paying Undergraduate Majors
In terms of major ranking, the top five highest paying majors are (mid-career salary in parentheses):
1. Petroleum Engineering ($176,900)
2. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science ($142,200)
3. Applied Economics & Management ($140,000)
4. Operations Research ($137,100)
5. Political Economy ($136,200)
Overall, without much surprise, the majors with the best salary prospects are concentrated in STEM fields. These graduates even earn more than alumni of Ivy League schools.
Best Salary Return Majors Top 50 Ranking
Most Meaningful Undergraduate Majors
Of course, money isn't everything. The value and meaning of some majors far exceed money, and some high-salary STEM majors receive low ratings from graduates, indicating that money is not the sole measure of major satisfaction.
PayScale also conducted a ranking of the most meaningful undergraduate majors, with the top five being (mid-career salary in parentheses):
1. Cytotechnology ($73,000)
2. Early Childhood Special Education ($50,600)
3. Music Therapy ($55,700)
4. Radiation Therapy ($88,800)
5. Physical Therapy ($93,200)
These majors may not offer great advantages in future salary, but in the eyes of graduates, they are majors that can contribute more to the world and hold greater value and meaning.
Most Meaningful Majors Top 50 Ranking
The rankings are for reference only. When choosing schools and majors, students should also fully consider various factors. Of course, we hope everyone can find their suitable institution and major, having both bread and passion!
