25 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees Jobs In 2024
25 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees Jobs In 2024. Diverse fields like business, technology, and engineering rank among the highest-paying for graduates with a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree prepares graduates for entry-level jobs in fields like business, engineering, and technology. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree can also apply to graduate programs for additional training and opportunities.
A bachelor’s degree meets the minimum education requirement for lucrative roles such as marketing manager, aerospace engineer, and computer network architect. Bachelor’s degree graduates can also work as actuaries, software developers, or physical scientists, earning over $100,000 per year, on average.
List of Top Highest Paying Bachelor’s Degrees
- Computer Engineering.
- Aerospace Engineering.
- Aviation Management
- Electrical Engineering.
- Meteorology.
- Operations Management and Information Systems.
- Construction Engineering Management.
- International Business and Finance.
- Plastic Engineering
- Marine Engineering.
- Systems Engineering.
- Nuclear Engineering
- Mathematics.
- Software Engineering/Development.
- Chemical Engineering
- Information Technology.
- Engineering Management.
- Political Science
- Economics.
- Cognitive Science
- Engineering Science.
- Petroleum Engineering.
- Finance/Financial Management.
- Physics.
- Pharmacy.
What is a Bachelor’s Degree?
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree that trains undergraduates in a specific area of study. In addition to major coursework, bachelor’s degree students complete general education courses that build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Highest Paying Bachelor Degree Jobs in 2024
The following list shows highest-paid jobs for graduates with a bachelor’s degree.
1. Computer Engineering
A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering offers a different course of study from a computer science degree. A computer engineering degree usually puts a heavier focus on the design and development of hardware, software, and networks. The degree also provides students with lab-based courses for building and testing embedded systems that integrate hardware and software.
2. Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is a broad field. While pursuing this chemistry degree, students learn about the production of goods and materials and using physics, math, biology, and chemistry to solve problems in the manufacturing process. In most cases, students can also pursue advanced studies in areas such as thermodynamics, energy sustainability, and materials and polymers.
3. Electrical Engineering- Median annual salary: $101,780
With a college degree in electrical engineering, graduates apply their skills in the design and analysis of electrical, electronic and computer systems. One of the highest-paying degrees in the engineering discipline, electrical engineering centers on emerging technologies.
4. Architectural Engineering – Mean annual salary: $97,450
Architectural engineering students apply theoretical and scientific knowledge to the design of buildings. As one of the highest paying Bachelor Degrees, many graduates in this discipline develop sustainable and economic solutions for buildings and their environments.
5. Information Technology – Median annual salary: $97,430
Information technology (IT) is one of the highest-paying bachelor’s degrees because it is a rapidly growing industry. People with a degree in information technology work with computers to create, process and store data and information. IT professionals can work in several industries and often find employment as programmers, support specialists, network administrators, and web or software developers.
6. Accounting – Median annual salary: $77,250
With an accounting degree, job seekers have opportunities in the business and finance fields. Accountants work in nonprofits, government agencies and businesses of all sizes.
7. Nursing – Median annual salary: $77,600
A four-year college degree in nursing qualifies candidates to become registered nurses (RN). Once registered, a nurse can specialize in a discipline such as emergency room care, intensive care unit or pediatric care. Nurses can also pursue advanced nursing degrees to become nurse practitioners (NP) and nurse anesthetists (CRNA).
8. Cybersecurity – Median annual salary: $102,600
A cybersecurity degree falls under the umbrella of computer science. While computer science is broader in scope, a cybersecurity degree focuses on protecting computer networks and systems to prevent theft or damage to hardware, software and data. A degree in cybersecurity is in high demand.
9. Computer Science – Median annual salary: $74,000
With technology dominating future of jobs, it’s no surprise that computer science graduates remain in high demand today as it is also one of the highest paying bachelor degrees. A bachelor’s degree in computer science provides students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in fields of study such as computer systems and networks, programming languages, and software development. Most universities also offer advanced courses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
10. Economics – Median annual salary: $105,630
A high-paying degree, economics programs examine financial issues related to resource allocation. An economics degree is useful for many career goals, including securing employment as an economist, market research analyst, sales representative and financial advisor.
11. Engineering Management
Engineering management is the branch of engineering concerned with the practical application of engineering principles to improve business practices. Graduates of this course are typically tasked to handle the planning, control, monitoring, scheduling, or organization of engineering projects.
12. Aerospace Engineering
With a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, students learn how to design and maintain aircraft systems, spacecraft, and satellites. Aside from basic courses in physics and mathematics, students also take courses in advanced engineering disciplines such as structural systems, aerodynamics, and propulsion. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, aerospace engineers can further specialize in aeronautical engineering (aircraft) and astronautical engineering (spacecraft).
13. Petroleum Engineering
As one of the Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees, Petroleum engineering is a field of engineering concerned with oil exploration, extraction, and production. This undergraduate degree produces skilled professionals that are vital to modern society, as oil is needed to power industries and communities. Petroleum engineers design methods for extracting oil and gas and ensure that oilfield equipment is properly installed and maintained. Graduates with a traditional or bachelor’s degree online in petroleum engineering are expected to have analytical skills to compile and interpret large amounts of technical information.
14. Pharmacy
Pharmacy is a field of study that is concerned with the proper, effective, and safe preparation and distribution of medication. Pharmacists often pursue careers at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities as well as commercial establishments, such as drug stores, grocery stores, and general merchandise. They are also required to pass exams to be licensed. Pharmacy degrees can help students obtain an advanced understanding of human anatomy, clinical toxicology, and biochemistry.
15. Mechanical Engineering
With a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, students learn how to design and build a wide range of mechanical devices, from generators and internal combustion engines to conveyor systems and elevators. Mechanical engineering students enroll in courses such as materials science, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
16. Applied Mathematics – Median annual salary: $113,691
One of the highest-paying bachelor’s degrees on our list, applied mathematics is the application of mathematical formulas in physics, engineering, science, finance and business. It requires students to have strong math and analytical skills. Graduates with applied mathematics college degrees often work as actuaries, financial analysts and mathematicians.
17. Political Science
Political science is a sub-field of social sciences concerned with power and politics from various perspectives. Common topics it covers are ideologies, political ideas, policies, diplomacy, and law. Graduates often end up as political scientists who work for the government.
18. Aviation Management
Aviation management is an academic program that introduces the core areas of business administration in the aviation industry. It can help prepare students for managerial positions in aviation firms around the world. Graduates often work in airports and airline company offices handling administrative services, aircraft maintenance planning, budget management, employee relations, and staff scheduling.
13. Industrial Engineering
A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering teaches students how to analyze different production systems to reduce wastefulness and improve efficiency. The curricula of these degrees typically integrate the basic concepts of work design and engineering with modern fields of study such as supply chain management and data science. Industrial engineers can apply their skills to a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing and research and development.
19. Biomedical Engineering
A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering teaches students how to apply engineering concepts to the design of devices that can improve the quality of human life. As such, biomedical engineering students typically take classroom and lab-based courses where they learn to design medical devices such as artificial organs and diagnostic tools.
20. Physics – Median annual salary: $147,450
Physics is one of the highest paying degree and it is the study of nature’s matter and energy. Physics majors have many career choices. They often find jobs as physicists, engineers, technical writers, forensic scientists, teachers, professors and data analysts.
21. Finance – Average annual salary: $101,038
Earning a college degree in finance means a student has completed courses in accounting, statistics, law, business and economics. Because finance degree students study multiple disciplines, they can pursue several career paths. Finance graduates can work as accountants, business development professionals and data analysts.
22. Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear engineering is the branch of engineering focused on the study and application of nuclear radiation processes, including the production and use of radioactive materials for research, medicine, and industrial applications. Nuclear engineers work in various fields, such as manufacturing, electric power generation, scientific research, and engineering services. They may supervise the maintenance activities of nuclear power plants and ensure that these meet safety standards.
23. Cognitive Science – Average annual salary: $82,000
A bachelor’s degree in cognitive science involves interdisciplinary studies. Cognitive science students seek to better understand the human mind, exploring the concepts of intelligence and human cognition. These bachelor’s degrees usually offer courses in linguistics, psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience.
24. Accounting
With an accounting degree, job seekers have opportunities in the business and finance fields. Accountants work in nonprofits, government agencies and businesses of all sizes.
25. Software Engineering/Development – Annual Median Salary : $109,020
Software engineering is the field of study that focuses on the design, development, and maintenance of computer software. It is closely related to other disciplines such as computer science, economics, management science, and system engineering. Software engineers or developers create programs running on a computer. In short, they are the creative geniuses behind computer applications.
What bachelor degree has the most job opportunities?
The bachelor degrees that pays the most are as follows:
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Structural Engineering.
- Computer Science.
- Industrial Engineering.
- Nursing
- Accounting.
- Food Technology.
- East Asian Studies
- Forestry
- Real Estate Finance
- Civil Engineering.
- Manufacturing Engineering.
- Health Informatics.
- Architectural Engineering
- Genetics.
- Fire Protection Engineering.
- Mining Engineering
- Geoscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Agricultural Engineering
- Psychology
- Industrial Distribution.
- Nutritional Science.
- Public Relations.
Recommendation
- Types Of Bachelor Degrees In Education | Which Are The Bachelors Degrees?
- Best Accredited 6-months Bachelor Degrees for International Students
- 20 Easiest Bachelor Degree And College Majors
- Top 15 Bachelor of Science Degrees.
- What Is An Undergraduate Vs Graduate Degree?
- Bachelor of Science vs Bachelor of Arts | Major Differences Between BS vs BA
