THE ECONOMIC VALUE COLLEGE MAJORSof Anthony P. Carnevale Ban Cheah Andrew R. Hanson Executive Summary 2015

The Economic Value FACT SHEET

of College Majors

In this report, we analyze the annual earnings of college graduates by major. Entry-level earnings are for ages 21-24. Mid-career earnings are for ages 25-59. Earnings are reported in 2013 dollars.

Majors are aggregated into seven supergroups:

STEM Business Teaching and Health Arts, humanities, Career-focused Social (Science, serving and liberal arts (E.g., industrial sciences technology, (E.g., education arts) engineering, and social work) and mathematics)

e also analyze the prevalence of majors among college-educated adults and how much graduate Wdegree holders earn based on their undergraduate major compared to Bachelor’s degree holders. Finally, we analyze the 10 highest- and lowest-paying majors among 137 detailed major subgroups.

Graduate degree holders include workers between the ages of 25 and 59. Graduate degree holders’ majors refer to their undergraduate major, not their graduate field of study.

Bachelor’s degree holders refers to adults between the ages of 21 and 59 with a Bach- elor’s degree but no further education. Earnings data are reported for workers employed full-time, full-year. Data on the prevalence of majors include all college-educated adults, including those neither employed nor in the labor force.

High school graduates refers to workers between the ages of 21 and 59 with nothing other than a high school diploma, employed full-time, full-year.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Lumina Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, or their officers, or their employees.

3 Not all Bachelor’s degrees

FIGURE 1 are created equal.

Entry-level $41,000 $38,000 $37,000 $30,000 $29,000 At the entry level, health majors earn $41,000 annually, while humanities and liberal arts majors earn Health STEM Business Career-focused Arts, humanities, $29,000 annually. and liberal arts

Median annual wages of college-educated workers (ages 21-24) by major supergroup (2013$)

$76,000 Mid-career $67,000 $65,000 $61,000 Among prime-age $51,000 workers,1 those who $46,000 majored in STEM earn $76,000 annually, while those who had a teaching and serving major earn $46,000 annually. STEM Business Health All majors Arts, humanities, Teaching and and liberal arts serving

Median annual wages of college-educated workers (ages 25-59) by major supergroup (2013$)

College graduates’ wages increase over the course of their careers,

FIGURE 2 while the differences in wages among majors grow larger.

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

1 “Prime-age workers” refers to those between the ages of 25 and 59.

4 Majors play a larger role in determining earnings than

FIGURE 3 the decision to go to college. $3.4 MILLION

The difference between the life-

$1 time wages of college and high MILLION school graduates is $1 million; the difference between the highest- and lowest-paying college majors is $3.4 million.

Difference in lifetime wages of Difference in lifetime wages of college and high school graduates highest- and lowest-paying majors

Lifetime wage premium (in millions of 2013$)

Your major isn’t Some college graduates who have generally

FIGURE 4 your destiny. low-paying majors earn more than some college graduates with generally higher-paying majors: the top 25 percent of education majors earn $59,000 or more annually, while the bottom 25 percent of engineering majors earn $59,000 or less annually.

$59,000 Engineering

All majors

Education 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile

High school graduate 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000

Interquartile range of annual wages of college-educated workers (ages 25-59) by educational attainment and major group (2013$)

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

5 Business majors and STEM majors are the most

FIGURE 5 common and among the highest-paying majors.

Social sciences 6.9% Health 7.5% 26.1% Business

Career-focused 11.9% (E.g., industrial arts)

Arts, humanities, 13.4% and liberal arts 19.6% STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and Teaching and serving 14.5% mathematics) (E.g., education and social work)

Share of college graduates (ages 25-59) by meta-major

Most students choose a major that is connected

FIGURE 6 to the labor market. 20% Majors with weak connections to the labor market – humanities and liberal arts, social sciences, and arts majors – comprise only 20 percent of college-educated workers.

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

6 Some majors are more likely to lead to graduate

FIGURE 7 school than others.

Biology and life sciences majors are the most

likely to earn a 57.7% 50.0% 45.3% graduate degree. Biology and Physical Psychology and life sciences sciences social work Three most likely majors to earn a graduate degree

Three least likely majors to earn a graduate degree

35.1% 23.2% 22.2% 20.8% All majors Arts Business Communications and journalism

The benefit of a graduate degree is much greater

FIGURE 8 for some majors than others.

$32,000 Physical sciences $27,000 Social sciences $22,000 Business $16,000 Psychology and social work $15,000 Education $13,000 Industrial arts, consumer services, and recreation 0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000

Median annual wages Graduate degree wage premium

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

7 What’s It Worth? FACT SHEET Highest- and Lowest-Earning Majors

Almost all of the highest-paying majors are in engineering fields.

Rank 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 1 Petroleum Engineering $136,000

2 Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical $113,000 Sciences and Administration 3 Metallurgical Engineering $98,000

4 Mining and Mineral Engineering $97,000 Pharmacy, pharmaceutical 5 Chemical Engineering $96,000 sciences, and pharmaceutical

6 Electrical Engineering $93,000 administration Bachelor’s degree holders have the 7 Aerospace Engineering $90,000 only non-engineering major 8 Mechanical Engineering $87,000 among the top 10 majors ranked by wages. 9 Computer Engineering $87,000

10 Geological and $87,000 Geophysical Engineering

The lowest-paying majors are in education, arts, and social work fields.

128 Family and Consumer Sciences $45,000

129 Drama and Theater Arts $45,000

130 Elementary Education $43,000

131 Theology and Religious Vocations $43,000

132 Visual and Performing Arts $42,000 Early childhood education 133 Teacher Education: Multiple Levels $42,000 majors earn $39,000 annually 134 Social Work $42,000 mid-career, the lowest among 135 Studio Arts $42,000 college graduates.

136 Human Services and $41,000 Community Organization 137 Early Childhood Education $39,000

Median annual wages of college-educated workers (ages 25-59) by major subgroup (2013$)

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

8 LOWEST AND HIGHEST EARNING MAJORS BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS

Rank Major Median Earnings $48,871

129 Drama and Theater Arts $44,538 Agriculture and Natural Resources 108 Fine Arts $48,871

113 Music $48,686

135 Studio Arts $41,762 Architecture and Engineering 132 Visual and Performing Arts $42,465

117 Neuroscience $48,190

123 Art and Music Education $45,613 Arts 137 Early Childhood Education 137 Detailed$39,097 Majors

130 Elementary Education $42,736 Biology and Life Science 125 General Education Selective$45,572 Statistics

127 Language and Drama Education $45,440

116 Mathematics Teacher Education $48,654 Business Science and Computer 119 $47,785 Teacher Education Communications 118 Secondary Teacher Education $48,078 and Journalism Social Science or History Computers, Statistics 120 $46,608 Teacher Education and Mathematics 126 Special Needs Education $45,440

133 Teacher Education: Multiple LevelsContents $42,194 Education

122 Communication Disorders 10 Earnings$45,654 at the 25th, 50th and 75th Sciences and Services percentiles, by Bachelor’s degree major

109 Art History and Criticism 14 The graduate$48,871 advantage, earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles Health 121 Composition and Speech by Bachelor’s$46,608 degree major 30 All majors by group, ranked by 110 Humanities earnings$48,686 and popularity Humanities and 124 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 34 Lowest-$45,613 and highest-earning majors, Liberal Arts Bachelor’s degree holders 131 Theology and Religious Vocations $42,736 36 Lowest- and highest-earning majors, graduate degree holders Industrial Arts, Consumer 128 Family and Consumer Sciences $44,743 Services & Recreation

38 Majors ranked by popularity for Law and Public Policy 111 Physical Fitness Parks $48,686 Recreation and Leisure Bachelor’s degree holders 136 Human Services and $41,113 Community Organization 39 Majors ranked by popularity for Physical Sciences graduate degree holders 112 Psychology $48,686 Psychology and Social Work 134 Social Work $42,194

115 Anthropology and Archeology $48,679 Social Science 114 Interdisciplinary Social Sciences $48,679

34 MID-CAREER EARNINGS AT THE 25TH, 50TH AND 75TH PERCENTILES, BY BACHELOR’S DEGREE MAJOR

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 All Bachelor’s Degree Holders

Agriculture and Natural Resources Agricultural Economics Food Science Forestry Miscellaneous Agriculture Natural Resources Management 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile General Agriculture Plant Science and Agronomy Animal Sciences

Architecture and Engineering Petroleum Engineering Metallurgical Engineering

Mining and Mineral Engineering Petroleum Chemical Engineering Engineering Electrical Engineering 75th percentile earnings Aerospace Engineering $243,000 Geological and Geophysical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering Engineering Mechanics, Physics, and Science General Engineering Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Architectural Engineering Engineering and Industrial Management Environmental Engineering Miscellaneous Engineering Industrial Production Technologies Miscellaneous Engineering Technologies Biomedical Engineering Mechanical Engineering-Related Technologies Architecture Engineering Technologies

Arts Commercial Art and Graphic Design Film, Video, and Photographic Arts Fine Arts Music Drama and Theater Arts Studio Arts Visual and Performing Arts 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000

10 Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles, by Bachelor’s degree major

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 All Bachelor’s Degree Holders

Biology and Life Sciences Microbiology Biochemical Sciences Zoology Environmental Science Biology Miscellaneous Biology Molecular Biology Botany Ecology Neuroscience

Business Management Information Systems and Statistics Business Economics Finance Operations Logistics and E-Commerce Accounting General Business Marketing and Marketing Research Business Management and Administration International Business Miscellaneous Business and Medical Administration Human Resources and Personnel Management Hospitality Management

Communications and Journalism Journalism Advertising and Public Relations Communications and Mass Media

Computers, Statistics, and Mathematics Computer Engineering Applied Mathematics Computer Science Statistics and Decision Science Information Sciences Mathematics Computer and Information Systems Miscellaneous Computer 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000

11 Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles, by Bachelor’s degree major

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 All Bachelor’s Degree Holders

Education Miscellaneous Education Physical and Health Education Teaching Mathematics Teacher Education Science and Computer Teacher Education Secondary Teacher Education Social Sciences or History Teacher Education Art and Music Education General Education Language and Drama Education Special Needs Education Elementary Education Teacher Education: Multiple Levels Early Childhood Education

Health Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration Nursing Treatment Therapy Professions Miscellaneous Health and Medical Professions Health and Medical Administrative Services Health and Medical Preparatory Programs Nutrition Sciences Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

Humanities and Liberal Arts History English Language and Literature Liberal Arts French, German, Latin, and Other Common Foreign Language Studies Intercultural and International Studies Area Ethnic and Civilization Studies Other Foreign Languages Philosophy and Religious Studies Linguistics and Comparative Language and Literature Art History and Criticism Humanities Composition and Speech Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Theology and Religious Vocations 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000

12 Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles, by Bachelor’s degree major

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 All Bachelor’s Degree Holders

Industrial Arts, Consumer Services, & Recreation Transportation Sciences and Technologies Miscellaneous Industrial Arts and Consumer Services Physical Fitness, Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Family and Consumer Sciences

Law and Public Policy Public Policy Public Administration Criminal Justice and Fire Protection Pre-Law and Legal Studies

Physical Sciences Physics Geology and Earth Science Oceanography Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, and Biological Technologies Chemistry Geosciences Physical Sciences Multi-Disciplinary or General Sciences

Psychology and Social Work Industrial and Organizational Psychology Social Psychology Psychology Social Work Human Services and Community Organization

Social Sciences Economics Political Science and Government International Relations Geography Miscellaneous Social Sciences Criminology General Social Sciences Sociology Anthropology and Archeology Interdisciplinary Social Sciences 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

13 The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

THE GRADUATE ADVANTAGE

The charts displayed in this section (the graduate advantage) show the interquartile range of annual wages for each major group and subgroup.

Agriculture and EachNatural horizontal Resources bar | The corresponds Graduate Advantage to a major group or subgroup. The columns on the right correspond Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile by Bachelor’s degree major The leftmost point on the bar shows the 25th percentile of the wage to the percentage and absolute distribution. The dot in the middle of the bar shows the median difference between the median annual Agriculture and Natural Resources | The Graduate Advantage or 50th percentile of the wage Earningsdistribution. at the 25th, The 50th and rightmost 75th percentile point by Bachelor’s degree major wage distribution of graduate degree on the bar shows the 75th percentile of the wage distribution. holders50th Percentile and Bachelor’s Change degree holders. 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent Absolute 50th Percentile Change Agriculture and 0 $40,000 $80,000 32.9% $120,000 Percent$18,300Absolute Natural Resources Agriculture and 32.9% $18,300 Natural Resources Agricultural Economics Agriculture and Natural Resources | The Graduate Advantage 23.8% $16,000 Earnings Agriculturalat the 25th, Economics 50th and 75th percentile by Bachelor’s degree major 23.8% $16,000

MajorForestry group Forestry 29.0% 29.0%$18,000 $18,000 Food Science 50th14.5% Percentile Change$9,800 Food Science 14.5% $9,800 Animal Sciences 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent54.5% Absolute $26,800 Agriculture and 32.9% $18,300 Animal Sciences Natural ResourcesNatural Management Resources 54.5% 28.5% $26,800$15,800

Plant ScienceAgricultural and EconomicsAgronomy 31.6%23.8% $16,000$16,900 Natural Resources Management 28.5% $15,800 Miscellaneous AgricultureForestry 23.5%29.0% $13,400$18,000 Major subgroups Plant Science and Agronomy GeneralFood Agriculture Science 31.6% 27.6%14.5%$16,900 $9,800$14,700

Animal Sciences 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 54.5% 0 $26,800 Miscellaneous Agriculture 23.5% $13,400 25th 50th 75th Natural Resourcespercentile Managementpercentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 28.5% 50th percentile$15,800 Graduate degree holders absolute change General Agriculture Plant Science and Agronomy 27.6% 31.6%$14,700 $16,900 Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of US Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2012. Miscellaneous Agriculture 23.5% $13,400 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 0 General Agriculture 27.6% $14,700 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s0 degree $40,000holders $80,000 $120,00050th percentile0 absolute change 25th percentile 25th50th Graduate percentile50th degree75th holders 75th percentile percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile The bottom 25 percent of col- Half of college-educated TheGraduate top degree 25 holderspercent of college-absolute change Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of US Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2012. lege-educated workers earn Source: Georgetownworkers University earn Center more on Education than andthe the Workforce analysiseducated of US Census workersBureau, American earn Community more Survey micro data, 2009-2012. less than the 25th percentile. median and half earn less. than than 75th percentile.

14 14

14

14 Agriculture and Natural Resources | The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent Absolute Agriculture and 32.9% $18,300 Natural Resources

Agricultural Economics 23.8% $16,000

Forestry 29.0% $18,000

Food Science 14.5% $9,800

Animal Sciences 54.5% $26,800

Natural Resources Management 28.5% $15,800

Plant Science and Agronomy 31.6% $16,900

Miscellaneous Agriculture 23.5% $13,400

General Agriculture 27.6% $14,700

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 0 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

15 Architecture and Engineering | The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 Percent Absolute

Architecture and Engineering 25.0% $21,000 ($243,000) Petroleum Engineering -5.4% (-$7,000) ($207,000) Geological and Geophysical 31.6% $27,000 Engineering ($182,000)

Aerospace Engineering 24.5% $22,000

Electrical Engineering 20.0% $19,000

Chemical Engineering 12.9% $12,000

Metallurgical Engineering 11.1% $11,000

Engineering and Industrial 39.3% $31,000 Management

Engineering Mechanics, Physics, and Science 32.2% $26,000

Mechanical Engineering 23.0% $20,000

Mining and Mineral Engineering 8.6% $8,000

General Engineering 27.7% $22,000

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering 24.6% $20,000

Civil Engineering 21.4% $18,000

Miscellaneous Engineering 29.4% $22,000

Miscellaneous Engineering Technologies 23.3% $17,000

Mechanical Engineering- Related Technologies 27.6% $19,000

Industrial Production Technologies 19.4% $14,000

Environmental Engineering 15.8% $12,000

Biomedical Engineering 24.1% $17,000

Architectural Engineering 1.7% $1,000

Engineering Technologies 18.8% $12,000

Architecture 13.3% $9,000 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 0 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

16 The Graduate Advantage | Arts Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 Percent Absolute

Arts 22.9% $11,000

Commercial Art and 23.7% $12,000 Graphic Design

Music 25.0% $12,000

Drama and Theater Arts 34.4% $15,000

Fine Arts 22.4% $11,000

Film, Video, and 16.7% $9,000 Photographic Arts

Visual and Performing Arts 31.4% $13,000

Studio Arts 29.5% $12,000

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 0

25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

17 Biology and Life Science | The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 $200,000 Percent Absolute

Biology and Life Sciences 63.3% $36,000

Zoology 80.7% $47,000

Biochemical Sciences 64.9% $38,000

Biology 70.9% $40,000

Microbiology 42.7% $27,000

Molecular Biology 62.0% $34,000

Miscellaneous Biology 49.5% $27,000

Environmental Science 24.7% $14,000

Botany 27.4% $14,000

Ecology 29.7% $15,000

Neuroscience 26.3% $13,000

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 $200,000 0 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th Percentile Graduate degree holders Absolute Change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

18 The Graduate Advantage | Business Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 Percent Absolute

Business 33.3% $22,000

Finance 39.9% $29,000

Business Economics 33.1% $25,000 Operations Logistics and E-Commerce 38.0% $27,000

Management Information Systems and Statistics 20.0% $15,000

Accounting 32.2% $22,000

General Business 36.6% $24,000

Marketing and Marketing Research 29.3% $18,000

Business Management and Administration 30.6% $19,000

International Business 32.5% $19,000

Miscellaneous Business and Medical Administration 32.0% $19,000

Human Resources and Personnel Management 28.0% $16,000

Hospitality Management 33.7% $18,000

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 0

25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

19 Communications and Journalism | The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 Percent Absolute Communications and Journalism 25.5% $14,000

Journalism 27.0% $15,000

Communications and Mass Media 24.0% $13,000

Advertising and Public Relations 20.0% $11,000

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 0 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th Percentile Graduate degree holders Absolute Change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

20 The Graduate Advantage | Computers, Statistics, and Mathematics Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent Absolute Computers, Statistics, and Mathematics 25.6% $19,000

Applied Mathematics 27.5% $23,000

Computer Engineering 17.3% $15,000

Statistics and Decision Science 29.3% $23,000

Computer Science 20.6% $17,000

Mathematics 24.5% $18,000

Information Sciences 20.8% $15,000

Computer and Information Systems 22.3% $15,000

Miscellaneous Computer 37.4% $22,000

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 0

25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

21 Education | The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 Percent Absolute

Education 33.3% $15,000

Physical and Health Education Teaching 32.2% $16,000

Secondary Teacher Education 33.6% $16,000

Science and Computer Teacher Education 34.1% $16,000

Miscellaneous Education 23.0% $12,000

Mathematics Teacher Education 29.0% $14,000

Social Sciences or History Teacher Education 33.3% $16,000

Special Needs Education 34.0% $15,000

Art and Music Education 33.5% $15,000

Language and Drama Education 33.8% $15,000

General Education 31.1% $14,000

Elementary Education 33.3% $14,000

Teacher Education: Multiple Levels 34.2% $14,000

Early Childhood Education 36.6% $14,000

0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 0 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th Percentile Graduate degree holders Absolute Change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

22 The Graduate Advantage | Heath Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent Absolute

Health 29.2% $19,000

Health and Medical Preparatory Programs 136.1% $74,000 ($291,000) Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration 4.4% $5,000

Nursing 33.5% $22,000

Health and Medical Administrative Services 44.7% $25,000

Miscellaneous Health and 29.3% $17,000 Medical Professions

Treatment Therapy Professions 11.7% $8,000

Nutrition Sciences 34.2% $18,000

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services 44.4% $20,000 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 0

25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

23 Humanities and Liberal Arts | The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent Absolute

Humanities and Liberal Arts 34.2% $18,000

History 47.6% $26,000

Area Ethnic and Civilization Studies 49.8% $26,000

Intercultural and International Studies 40.0% $21,000

Humanities 45.9% $22,000

Liberal Arts 33.5% $18,000

Other Foreign Languages 36.5% $19,000

English Language and Literature 29.4% $16,000

Philosophy and Religious Studies 34.4% $17,000

Linguistics and Comparative Language and Literature 36.7% $18,000

French, German, Latin, and Other Common Foreign 30.0% $16,000 Language Studies

Art History and Criticism 34.9% $17,000

Composition and Speech 30.5% $14,000

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 24.1% $11,000

Theology and Religious Vocations 18.7% $8,000

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 0 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th Percentile Graduate degree holders Absolute Change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

24 The Graduate Advantage | Industrial Arts, Consumer Services & Recreation Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent Absolute Industrial Arts, Consumer Services, & Recreation 25.4% $13,000

Transportation Sciences and Technologies 29.7% $22,000

Miscellaneous Industrial Arts and Consumer Services 18.9% $12,000

Physical Fitness, Parks, Recreation, and Leisure 33.3% $16,000

Family and Consumer Sciences 33.5% $15,000

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 0

25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

25 Law and Public Policy | The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent Absolute

Law and Public Policy 33.1% $18,000

Public Policy 41.1% $27,000

Pre-Law and Legal Studies 51.9% $27,000

Public Administration 20.8% $13,000

Criminal Justice and Fire Protection 29.7% $16,000 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 0 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th Percentile Graduate degree holders Absolute Change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

26 The Graduate Advantage | Physical Sciences Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 Percent Absolute

Physical Sciences 50.0% $32,000

Chemistry 61.6% $39,000

Physics 25.0% $20,000

Geosciences 53.5% $34,000

Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, & Biological Technologies 47.7% $31,000

Oceanography 31.5% $22,000

Geology and Earth Science 25.1% $17,000

Multi-Disciplinary or General Science 42.4% $26,000

Atmospheric Sciences 26.6% $18,000 and Meteorology

Physical Sciences 27.6% $17,000

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 0

25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

27 Psychology and Social Work | The Graduate Advantage Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 Percent Absolute

Psychology and Social Work 33.3% $16,000

Industrial and Organizational Psychology 26.4% $17,000

Social Psychology 37.8% $19,000

Psychology 33.3% $16,000

Social Work 30.1% $13,000

Human Services and Community Organization 31.0% $13,000 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 0 25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th Percentile Graduate degree holders Absolute Change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

28 The Graduate Advantage | Social Sciences Earnings at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by Bachelor’s degree major

50th Percentile Change 0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 Percent Absolute

Social Sciences 44.6% $27,000

Economics 43.6% $33,000

Political Science and Government 49.1% $31,000

International Relations 46.4% $29,000

Miscellaneous Social Sciences 42.7% $24,000

Geography 33.9% $20,000

Criminology 31.2% $17,000

General Social Sciences 29.3% $15,000

Interdisciplinary Social Sciences 40.0% $19,000

Anthropology and Archeology 35.5% $17,000

Sociology 28.0% $14,000

0 $40,000 $80,000 $120,000 $160,000 0

25th 50th 75th percentile percentile percentile Bachelor’s degree holders 50th percentile Graduate degree holders absolute change

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample.

29 ALL MAJORS BY GROUP RANKED BY EARNINGS AND POPULARITY

Bachelor’s Degree Ranking Graduate Degree Ranking By earnings By popularity By earnings By popularity

Agriculture and Natural Resources 39 112 Agricultural Economics 54 125 107 72 Animal Sciences 73 67 40 116 Food Science 71 119 55 99 Forestry 62 108 85 67 General Agriculture 96 89 70 70 Miscellaneous Agriculture 89 106 75 78 Natural Resources Management 82 90 86 86 Plant Science and Agronomy 88 98

Architecture and Engineering 7 100 Aerospace Engineering 5 72 18 122 Architectural Engineering 57 133 41 34 Architecture 75 40 33 107 Biomedical Engineering 49 75 5 51 Chemical Engineering 7 38 12 31 Civil Engineering 22 33 6 17 Electrical Engineering 6 13 19 114 Engineering and Industrial Management 10 122 17 123 Engineering Mechanics, Physics, and Science 11 116 43 111 Engineering Technologies 67 127 22 128 Environmental Engineering 44 123 16 23 General Engineering 17 21 10 137 Geological and Geophysical Engineering 4 137 14 62 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering 19 56 26 81 Industrial Production Technologies 45 115 8 24 Mechanical Engineering 12 18 37 113 Mechanical Engineering-Related Technologies 46 132 3 136 Metallurgical Engineering 8 128 4 131 Mining and Mineral Engineering 13 136 23 98 Miscellaneous Engineering 26 97 31 50 Miscellaneous Engineering Technologies 43 78 1 124 Petroleum Engineering 1 131

Arts 105 22 Commercial Art and Graphic Design 116 65 129 47 Drama and Theater Arts 124 64 98 58 Film, Video, and Photographic Arts 126 101 108 21 Fine Arts 125 36 113 36 Music 121 31 135 82 Studio Arts 134 93 132 97 Visual and Performing Arts 132 109

30 All Majors by Group Ranked by Earnings and Popularity

Bachelor’s Degree Ranking Graduate Degree Ranking By earnings By popularity By earnings By popularity

Biology and Life Sciences 64 89 Biochemical Sciences 30 41 74 14 Biology 31 2 93 129 Botany 103 118 100 106 Ecology 104 102 71 63 Environmental Science 83 69 56 92 Microbiology 40 58 79 77 Miscellaneous Biology 59 50 83 115 Molecular Biology 48 80 117 133 Neuroscience 120 112 68 105 Zoology 15 59

Business 38 3 Accounting 37 9 25 87 Business Economics 25 95 58 1 Business Management and Administration 61 5 30 12 Finance 21 17 49 2 General Business 41 8 91 39 Hospitality Management 92 96 66 44 Human Resources and Personnel Management 77 61 62 74 International Business 66 86 21 45 Management Information Systems and Statistics 34 74 54 7 Marketing and Marketing Research 58 25 65 68 Miscellaneous Business and Medical Administration 70 105 32 94 Operations Logistics and E-Commerce 29 113

Communications and Journalism 78 42 Advertising and Public Relations 108 85 77 6 Communications and Mass Media 101 16 73 27 Journalism 81 49

Computers, Statistics, and Mathematics 13 119 Applied Mathematics 14 111 34 33 Computer and Information Systems 52 53 9 46 Computer Engineering 18 52 11 11 Computer Science 24 14 27 75 Information Sciences 42 91 29 30 Mathematics 38 19 63 40 Miscellaneous Computer 60 82 20 117 Statistics and Decision Science 23 104

31 All Majors by Group Ranked by Earnings and Popularity

Bachelor’s Degree Ranking Graduate Degree Ranking By earnings By popularity By earnings By popularity

Education 123 49 Art and Music Education 119 44 137 53 Early Childhood Education 136 54 130 9 Elementary Education 129 4 125 8 General Education 127 3 127 61 Language and Drama Education 122 45 116 102 Mathematics Teacher Education 115 66 90 54 Miscellaneous Education 114 37 101 38 Physical and Health Education Teaching 102 42 119 108 Science and Computer Teacher Education 113 81 118 55 Secondary Teacher Education 112 48 120 76 Social Sciences or History Teacher Education 117 63 126 56 Special Needs Education 118 32 133 88 Teacher Education: Multiple Levels 130 73

Health 122 93 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services 107 30 76 65 Health and Medical Administrative Services 63 77 81 118 Health and Medical Preparatory Programs 2 62 72 25 Miscellaneous Health Medical Professions 78 23 46 4 Nursing 47 10 95 90 Nutrition Sciences 91 79 2 57 Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration 3 39 48 35 Treatment Therapy Professions 79 35

Humanities and Liberal Arts 96 71 Area Ethnic and Civilization Studies 72 55 109 80 Art History and Criticism 106 70 121 96 Composition and Speech 123 99 89 10 English Language and Literature 94 6 92 43 French, German, Latin, and Other Common 100 34 Foreign Language Studies 82 18 History 64 11 110 109 Humanities 84 103 94 101 Intercultural and International Studies 80 87 87 19 Liberal Arts 85 26 106 91 Linguistics and Comparative Language and Literature 99 68 124 110 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 131 120 102 104 Other Foreign Languages 93 83 103 48 Philosophy and Religious Studies 98 27 131 41 Theology and Religious Vocations 137 46

32 All Majors by Group Ranked by Earnings and Popularity

Bachelor’s Degree Ranking Graduate Degree Ranking By earnings By popularity By earnings By popularity

Industrial Arts, Consumer Services, and Recreation 128 29 Family and Consumer Sciences 128 47 53 52 Miscellaneous Industrial Arts and Consumer Services 74 110 111 28 Physical Fitness, Parks, Recreation, and Leisure 109 43 28 60 Transportation Sciences and Technologies 33 100

Law and Public Policy 80 13 Criminal Justice and Fire Protection 87 24 97 83 Pre-Law and Legal Studies 68 88 59 103 Public Administration 76 84 47 127 Public Policy 35 114

Physical Sciences 42 126 Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology 53 126 50 37 Chemistry 16 15 35 69 Geology and Earth Science 50 57 51 134 Geosciences 27 129 61 26 Multidisciplinary or General Science 51 28 44 120 Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, and Biological Technologies 28 117 36 130 Oceanography 36 130 57 135 Physical Sciences 65 134 15 73 Physics 20 29

Psychology and Social Work 136 79 Human Services and Community Organization 135 92 45 121 Industrial and Organizational Psychology 55 124 112 5 Psychology 110 1 99 132 Social Psychology 90 135 134 32 Social Work 133 22

Social Sciences 115 59 Anthropology and Archeology 105 51 84 85 Criminology 86 107 24 16 Economics 9 12 88 66 General Social Sciences 95 71 67 64 Geography 69 76 114 95 Interdisciplinary Social Sciences 97 94 60 84 International Relations 39 60 69 125 Miscellaneous Social Sciences 56 121 52 15 Political Science and Government 32 7 104 20 Sociology 111 20

33 LOWEST- AND HIGHEST-EARNING MAJORS BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS

Rank Major Median Earnings $48,871

129 Drama and Theater Arts $44,538 Agriculture and Natural Resources 108 Fine Arts $48,871

113 Music $48,686

135 Studio Arts $41,762 Architecture and Engineering 132 Visual and Performing Arts $42,465

117 Neuroscience $48,190

123 Art and Music Education $45,613 Arts 137 Early Childhood Education $39,097

130 Elementary Education $42,736 Biology and Life Sciences 125 General Education $45,572

127 Language and Drama Education $45,440

116 Mathematics Teacher Education $48,654 Business Science and Computer 119 $47,785 Teacher Education Communications 118 Secondary Teacher Education $48,078 and Journalism Social Science or History Computers, Statistics, 120 $46,608 Teacher Education and Mathematics 126 Special Needs Education $45,440

133 Teacher Education: Multiple Levels $42,194 Education

122 Communication Disorders $45,654 Sciences and Services 109 Art History and Criticism $48,871 Health 121 Composition and Speech $46,608

110 Humanities $48,686 Humanities and 124 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $45,613 Liberal Arts

131 Theology and Religious Vocations $42,736 Industrial Arts, Consumer 128 Family and Consumer Sciences $44,743 Services, & Recreation Law and Public Policy 111 Physical Fitness, Parks, $48,686 Recreation, and Leisure 136 Human Services and $41,113 Community Organization Physical Sciences 112 Psychology $48,686 Psychology and Social Work 134 Social Work $42,194

115 Anthropology and Archeology $48,679 Social Sciences 114 Interdisciplinary Social Sciences $48,679

34 Lowest- and Highest-Earning Majors Bachelor’s Degree Holders

$72,501 Median Earnings Major Rank

$90,141 Aerospace Engineering 7

$80,130 Architectural Engineering 18

$96,156 Chemical Engineering 5

$82,858 Civil Engineering 12

$93,215 Electrical Engineering 6

$77,679 Engineering and Industrial Management 19

$80,787 Engineering Mechanics Physics and Science 17

$76,022 Environmental Engineering 22

$80,787 General Engineering 16

$86,553 Geological and Geophysical Engineering 10

$81,452 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering 14

$73,719 Industrial Production Technologies 26

$86,883 Mechanical Engineering 8

$97,743 Metallurgical Engineering 3

$97,372 Mining and Mineral Engineering 4

$76,022 Miscellaneous Engineering 23

$135,754 Petroleum Engineering 1

$74,788 Business Economics 25

$72,501 Finance 30 Management Information $76,924 21 Systems and Statistics $82,858 Applied Mathematics 13

$86,553 Computer Engineering 9

$82,858 Computer Science 11

$73,046 Information Sciences 27

$72,501 Mathematics 29

$77,679 Statistics and Decision Science 20 Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical $112,519 2 Sciences and Administration $72,764 Transportation Sciences and Technologies 28

$81,143 Physics 15

$75,608 Economics 24

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample. 35 LOWEST- AND HIGHEST-EARNING MAJORS GRADUATE DEGREE HOLDERS

Rank Major Median Earnings $65,162 Commercial Art and 116 $62,751 Graphic Design Agriculture and Natural Resources 124 Drama and Theater Arts $59,857

126 Film, Video, and Photographic Arts $59,830

125 Fine Arts $59,830 Architecture and Engineering 121 Music $60,872

134 Studio Arts $54,096

132 Visual and Performing Arts $55,799 Arts 120 Neuroscience $60,872

108 Advertising and Public Relations $65,162 Biology and Life Sciences 119 Art and Music Education $60,872

136 Early Childhood Education $53,420

129 Elementary Education $56,965 Business

127 General Education $59,732 Communications 122 Language and Drama Education $60,818 and Journalism Computers, Statistics, 116 Mathematics Teacher Education $62,751 and Mathematics

114 Miscellaneous Education $64,104 Science and Computer $64,104 Education 113 Teacher Education 112 Secondary Teacher Education $64,215 Social Sciences or History 117 $62,144 Teacher Education Health 120 Special Needs Education $60,872

130 Teacher Education: Multiple Levels $56,625 Humanities and 123 Composition and Speech $60,818 Liberal Arts

131 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $56,625 Industrial Arts, Consumer 137 Theology and Religious Vocations $50,727 Services, & Recreation Law and Public Policy 128 Family and Consumer Sciences $59,732 Physical Fitness, Parks, 109 $64,915 Recreation, and Leisure Physical Sciences Human Services and 135 $53,858 Community Organization Psychology and Social Work 110 Psychology $64,915

133 Social Work $54,893 Social Sciences 111 Sociology $64,915

36 Lowest- and Highest-Earning Majors Graduate Degree Holders

$97,000 Median Earnings Major Rank

$112,181 Aerospace Engineering 5

$108,603 Chemical Engineering 7

$100,618 Civil Engineering 22

$111,861 Electrical Engineering 6

$108,191 Engineering and Industrial Management 10

$106,839 Engineering Mechanics Physics and Science 11

$103,173 General Engineering 17

$113,930 Geological and Geophysical Engineering 4

$101,498 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering 19

$106,839 Mechanical Engineering 12

$108,603 Metallurgical Engineering 8

$105,771 Mining and Mineral Engineering 13

$98,410 Miscellaneous Engineering 26

$128,430 Petroleum Engineering 1

$97,358 Biochemical Sciences 30

$104,259 Zoology 15

$99,536 Business Economics 25

$101,453 Finance 21

$97,395 Operations Logistics and E-Commerce 29

$105,644 Applied Mathematics 14

$101,498 Computer Engineering 18

$99,915 Computer Science 24

$100,465 Statistics and Decision Science 23 Health and Medical $128,207 2 Preparatory Programs $117,523 Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration 3

$103,573 Chemistry 16

$98,394 Geosciences 27

$97,395 Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, and Biological Technologies 28

$101,453 Physics 20

$108,603 Economics 9

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample. 37 MAJORS RANKED BY POPULARITY BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS

30 Most Popular Majors (Rank) 30 Least Popular Majors (Rank) Agriculture and Electrical Engineering (17) 1.68% 0.09% Agricultural Economics (112) Natural Resources General Engineering (23) 1.32% 0.06% Food Science (116) Mechanical Engineering (24) 1.32% Architecture and 0.05% Architectural Engineering (122) Engineering Commercial Art and 0.08% Engineering and Industrial 1.44% Graphic Design (22) Management (114)

Fine Arts (21) 1.48% Arts 0.04% Engineering Mechanics, Physics, and Science (123) Biology (14) 2.06% Biology and 0.10% Engineering Technologies (111) Accounting (3) 4.63% Life Science 0.03% Environmental Engineering (128) Business Management 8.14% and Administration (1) 0.01% Geological and Geophysical Engineering (137) Finance (12) 2.33% 0.08% Mechanical Engineering- General Business (2) 5.39% Related Technologies (113) Marketing and Marketing Business 3.15% 0.02% Metallurgical Engineering (136) Research (7) 0.02% Mining and Mineral Communications and 3.52% Engineering (131) Mass Media (6) 0.04% Petroleum Engineering (124) Journalism (27) 1.11% 0.03% Botany (129) Computer Science (11) 2.43% Communications 0.07% Molecular Biology (115) Mathematics (30) 0.91% and Journalism 0.02% Neuroscience (133) Elementary Education (9) 2.79% Computers, Statistics, 0.05% Applied Mathematics (119) General Education (8) 2.87% and Mathematics 0.06% Statistics and Decision Miscellaneous Health 1.20% Science (117) Medical Professions (25) Education 0.11% Science and Computer Nursing (4) 4.48% Teacher Education (108) English Language 2.51% 0.06% Health and Medical and Literature (10) Preparatory Programs (118)

History (18) 1.64% Health 0.11% Humanities (109) Liberal Arts (19) 1.62% 0.11% Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (110) Family and Consumer 0.92% Sciences (29) Humanities and 0.04% Public Policy (127) Physical Fitness, Parks, Liberal Arts 0.98% 0.04% Atmospheric Sciences Recreation, and Leisure (28) and Meteorology (126) Industrial Arts, Consumer Criminal Justice and 2.19% Services, & Recreation 0.02% Geosciences (134) Fire Protection (13) Law and Public Policy 0.05% Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, and Multi-Disciplinary or 1.14% Biological Technologies (120) General Science (26) Physical Sciences 0.03% Oceanography (130) Psychology (5) 4.04% Psychology and Social Work 0.02% Physical Sciences (135) Economics (16) 1.86% 0.05% Industrial and Organizational Political Science and 1.89% Psychology (121) Government (15) Social Science 0.02% Social Psychology (132) Sociology (20) 1.58% 0.04% Miscellaneous Social Sciences (125)

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample. 38 GRADUATE DEGREE HOLDERS

30 Most Popular Majors (Rank) 30 Least Popular Majors (Rank) Agriculture and Electrical Engineering (13) 2.30% Natural Resources 0.06% Agricultural Economics (125) General Engineering (21) 1.37% 0.08% Food Science (119) Architecture and Mechanical Engineering (18) 1.61% 0.10% Forestry (108) Engineering Biology (2) 5.49% 0.03% Architectural Engineering (133) Engineering and Industrial Accounting (9) 2.86% 0.07% Arts Management (122) Business Management 3.94% Engineering Mechanics and Administration (5) 0.09% Physics and Science (116) Biology and Finance (17) 1.69% Life Science 0.06% Engineering Technologies (127) General Business (8) 2.91% 0.07% Environmental Engineering (123) Marketing and Marketing 1.04% Geological and Geophysical Research (25) 0.02% Engineering (137) Communications and Business Industrial Production 1.71% 0.09% Mass Media (16) Technologies (115) Computer Science (14) 2.01% Mechanical Engineering- 0.03% Related Technologies (132) Mathematics (19) 1.61% Communications and Journalism 0.05% Metallurgical Engineering (128) Elementary Education (4) 3.94% Computers, Statistics, Mining and Mineral and Mathematics 0.03% General Education (3) 4.13% Engineering (136) Communication Disorders 0.95% 0.03% Petroleum Engineering (131) Sciences and Services (30) 0.10% Visual and Performing Arts (109) Miscellaneous Health 1.12% Education Medical Professions (23) 0.08% Botany (118) Nursing (10) 2.58% 0.09% Neuroscience (112) English Language Operations Logistics and 3.54% 0.09% and Literature (6) E-Commerce (113) Health History (11) 2.57% 0.09% Applied Mathematics (111) Multi/Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts (26) 1.03% 0.07% Studies (120) Philosophy and 1.00% Miscellaneous Industrial Arts Religious Studies (27) Humanities and 0.10% Liberal Arts and Consumer Services (110) Criminal Justice and 1.05% Fire Protection (24) 0.09% Public Policy (114) Industrial Arts, Consumer Atmospheric Sciences Chemistry (15) 1.92% 0.06% Services, & Recreation and Meteorology (126) Multi-Disciplinary or Law and Public Policy 0.99% General Science (28) 0.05% Geosciences (129) Physical Sciences Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, and Physics (29) 0.96% 0.08% Biological Technologies (117) Psychology (1) 6.41% Psychology and 0.04% Oceanography (130) Social Work Social Work (22) 1.28% 0.03% Physical Sciences (134) Economics (12) 2.42% Industrial and Organizational 0.06% Psychology (124) Political Science and 3.31% Social Science Government (7) 0.03% Social Psychology (135) Sociology (20) 1.48% 0.07% Miscellaneous Social Sciences (121)

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample. 39 HELP READING OUR CHARTS LOWEST- AND HIGHEST-EARNING MAJORS

This chart shows the 30 highest paying majors and the 30 lowest paying majors.

The leftmost column displays the rank The rightmost column displays the rank of the 30 lowest paying majors among of the 30 highest paying majors among the 137 major subgroups. To the right of the 137 major subgroups. To the left of that column is the median annual wages that column is the median annual wages (2013$) of that major subgroup. (2013$) of that major subgroup.

The chart is sorted alphabetically by the 15 major groups included in the center. Each of the 15 major groups is represented by a distinct color. For example, architecture and engineering majors are red.

LOWEST- AND HIGHEST-EARNING MAJORS Lowest- and Highest-Earning Majors Bachelor’s Degree Holders BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS

Rank Major Median Earnings $48,871 $72,501 Median Earnings Major Rank

129 Drama and Theater Arts $44,538 $90,141 Aerospace Engineering 7 Agriculture and Natural Resources 108 Fine Arts $48,871 $80,130 Architectural Engineering 18

113 Music $48,686 $96,156 Chemical Engineering 5

135 Studio Arts $41,762 Architecture and $82,858 Civil Engineering 12 Engineering 132 Visual and Performing Arts $42,465 $93,215 Electrical Engineering 6

117 Neuroscience $48,190 $77,679 Engineering and Industrial Management 19

123 Art and Music Education $45,613 $80,787 Engineering Mechanics Physics and Science 17 Arts 137 Early Childhood Education $39,097 $76,022 Environmental Engineering 22

130 Elementary Education $42,736 $80,787 General Engineering 16 Biology and Life Sciences 125 General Education $45,572 $86,553 Geological and Geophysical Engineering 10

127 Language and Drama Education $45,440 $81,452 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering 14

116 Mathematics Teacher Education $48,654 Business $73,719 Industrial Production Technologies 26 Science and Computer 119 $47,785 Teacher Education $86,883 Mechanical Engineering 8 Communications 118 Secondary Teacher Education $48,078 and Journalism $97,743 Metallurgical Engineering 3 Social Science or History Computers, Statistics, 120 $46,608 $97,372 Mining and Mineral Engineering 4 Teacher Education and Mathematics 126 Special Needs Education $45,440 $76,022 Miscellaneous Engineering 23

133 Teacher Education: Multiple Levels $42,194 Education $135,754 Petroleum Engineering 1

122 Communication Disorders $45,654 $74,788 Business Economics 25 Sciences and Services 109 Art History and Criticism $48,871 $72,501 Finance 30 Health Management Information $76,924 21 121 Composition and Speech $46,608 Systems and Statistics 110 Humanities $48,686 $82,858 Applied Mathematics 13 Humanities and 124 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $45,613 Liberal Arts $86,553 Computer Engineering 9

131 Theology and Religious Vocations $42,736 $82,858 Computer Science 11 Industrial Arts, Consumer 128 Family and Consumer Sciences $44,743 Services, & Recreation $73,046 Information Sciences 27 Law and Public Policy 111 Physical Fitness, Parks, $48,686 $72,501 Mathematics 29 Recreation, and Leisure 136 Human Services and $41,113 $77,679 Statistics and Decision Science 20 Community Organization Physical Sciences Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical $112,519 2 112 Psychology $48,686 Sciences and Administration Psychology and Social Work 134 Social Work $42,194 $72,764 Transportation Sciences and Technologies 28

115 Anthropology and Archeology $48,679 $81,143 Physics 15 Social Sciences 114 Interdisciplinary Social Sciences $48,679 $75,608 Economics 24

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample. 34 35

40 MAJORS RANKED BY POPULARITY BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS

30 Most Popular Majors (Rank) 30 Least Popular Majors (Rank) Agriculture and Electrical Engineering (17) 1.68% 0.09% Agricultural Economics (112) Natural Resources General Engineering (23) 1.32% 0.06% Food Science (116) Mechanical Engineering (24) 1.32% Architecture and 0.05% Architectural Engineering (122) Engineering Commercial Art and 0.08% Engineering and Industrial 1.44% Graphic Design (22) Management (114)

Fine Arts (21) 1.48% Arts 0.04% Engineering Mechanics, MAJORS RANKED BY POPULARITY Physics, and Science (123) Biology (14) 2.06% Biology and 0.10% Engineering Technologies (111) Accounting (3) 4.63% Life Science 0.03% Environmental Engineering (128) Business Management 8.14% This chart shows the 30 most common majors and 30 least common and Administration (1) 0.01% Geological and Geophysical Engineering (137) Finance (12) 2.33% majors for Bachelor’s degree holders and graduate degree holders. 0.08% Mechanical Engineering- General Business (2) 5.39% MAJORSRelated Technologies RANKED (113) BY POPULARITY Marketing and Marketing Business The majors are sorted 3.15% 0.02% Metallurgical Engineering (136) Research (7) BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS alphabetically by major group 0.02% Mining and Mineral Communications and 3.52% EngineeringThe (131) leftmost column displays (displayed in the center on Mass Media (6) The rightmost column 0.04% Petroleumthe Engineering rank of the(124) 30 most com- each page)in a stacked column. displays the rank of the 30 Journalism (27) 1.11% 30 Most Popular Majors (Rank) 30 Least Popular Majors (Rank) mon majors among the 137 Each of the 15 major groups is least common majors by 0.03% Botany (129) Agriculture and Electrical Engineeringmajor subgroups. (17) 1.68% represented by a distinct color. 0.09% Agricultural Economics (112) Computer Science (11) 2.43% Natural Resources the 137 major subgroups. Communications 0.07% Molecular Biology (115) Mathematics (30) 0.91% and Journalism General Engineering (23) 1.32% 0.06% Food Science (116) MAJORS RANKED BY POPULARITY 0.02% Neuroscience (133) Architecture and Elementary Education (9) 2.79% Mechanical Engineering (24) 1.32% BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS 0.05% Architectural Engineering (122) Computers, Statistics, 0.05% Applied Mathematics (119) Engineering General Education (8) 2.87% and Mathematics Commercial Art and 0.08% Engineering and Industrial 1.44% 30 Most Popular Majors (Rank) 30 Least Popular Majors (Rank) Agriculture and 0.06% StatisticsGraphic and Design Decision (22) Electrical Engineering (17) 1.68% 0.09% AgriculturalManagement Economics (112) (114) Miscellaneous Health Natural Resources 1.20% Science (117) General Engineering (23) 1.32% 0.06% Food Science (116) Medical Professions (25) Fine Arts (21) 1.48% Mechanical Engineering (24) 1.32% Architecture and 0.04%0.05% ArchitecturalEngineering Engineering (122) Mechanics, Arts Engineering Commercial Art and 0.08% Engineering and Industrial 0.11% Science and Computer 1.44% Physics, and Science (123) Education Graphic Design (22) Management (114) Nursing (4) 4.48% The rank ofTeacher each major EducationBiology subgroup (108)(14) 2.06% is Fine Arts (21) 1.48% Arts 0.04% Engineering Mechanics, Biology and 0.10%Physics,Engineering and Science (123) Technologies (111) displayed in parentheses. (Rank) Biology (14) 2.06% English Language 0.06% Health andAccounting Medical (3) 4.63% Life Science Biology and 0.10% Engineering Technologies (111) 2.51% Accounting (3) 4.63% Life Science 0.03%0.03% EnvironmentalEnvironmental Engineering (128) Engineering (128) and Literature (10) Preparatory Programs (118) Business Management 8.14% Business Management and Administration (1) 0.01% Geological and Geophysical 8.14% Engineering (137) History (18) 1.64% and Administration (1) Finance (12) 2.33% 0.01% Geological and Geophysical Health 0.11% Humanities (109) 0.08% Mechanical Engineering- General Business (2) 5.39% RelatedEngineering Technologies (113) (137) Marketing and Marketing Business Finance (12) 2.33% 3.15% 0.02% Metallurgical Engineering (136) Liberal Arts (19) 1.62% 0.11% Multi/Interdisciplinary Research (7) 0.02% Mining and Mineral Communications and 0.08% Mechanical Engineering- Studies (110) 3.52% Engineering (131) Family and Consumer General Business (2) 5.39% Mass Media (6) Related Technologies (113) 0.92% 0.04% Petroleum Engineering (124) Sciences (29) Journalism (27) 1.11% Humanities and 0.04% Public Policy (127) 0.03% Botany (129) Marketing and Marketing Computer ScienceBusiness (11) 2.43% 3.15% Communications 0.02%0.07% MolecularMetallurgical Biology (115) Engineering (136) Liberal Arts Mathematics (30) 0.91% and Journalism Physical Fitness, Parks, 0.04% AtmosphericResearch Sciences (7) 0.02% Neuroscience (133) 0.98% Elementary Education (9) 2.79% Recreation, and Leisure (28) Computers, Statistics, 0.02%0.05% AppliedMining Mathematics (119)and Mineral and Meteorology (126) General Education (8) 2.87% and Mathematics Communications and 0.06% StatisticsEngineering and Decision (131) Industrial Arts, Consumer 3.52% Miscellaneous Health 1.20% Science (117) Criminal Justice and 0.02% GeosciencesMass (134)Media (6) Medical Professions (25) 2.19% Services, & Recreation Education 0.11% Science and Computer Fire Protection (13) To the immediate left (for most pop- Nursing (4) 4.48% 0.04%TeacherPetroleum Education (108) Engineering (124) Law and Public Policy English Language Journalism (27) 1.11% 2.51% 0.06% Health and Medical ular)0.05% or rightNuclear, (for Industrial least popular), Radiology, the and and Literature (10) Multi-Disciplinary or Biological Technologies (120) 0.03%PreparatoryBotany Programs (118)(129) 1.14% History (18) 1.64% Health 0.11% Humanities (109) General Science (26) Physical Sciences percentageComputer of college Science graduates (11) 2.43% with Liberal Arts (19) 1.62% 0.11% Multi/Interdisciplinary Communications 0.07%StudiesMolecular (110) Biology (115) 0.03% Oceanography (130) Family and Consumer 0.92% each respectiveMathematics major is (30)displayed.0.91% Sciences (29) Psychology (5) 4.04% Psychology and and Journalism Humanities and 0.04% Public Policy (127) Physical Fitness, Parks, Liberal Arts 0.98% 0.02%0.04% AtmosphericNeuroscience Sciences (133) Social Work 0.02% Physical Sciences (135) Recreation, and Leisure (28) and Meteorology (126) Elementary Education (9) 2.79% Industrial Arts, Consumer Economics (16) 1.86% Criminal Justice and Computers,2.19% Statistics, Services, & Recreation 0.02% Geosciences (134) Fire Protection (13) 0.05% Applied Mathematics (119) 0.05% Industrial and Organizational Law and Public Policy 0.05% Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, and Multi-Disciplinaryand or Mathematics Political Science and General Education (8) 2.87% 1.14% Biological Technologies (120) 1.89% Psychology (121) General Science (26) Physical Sciences Social Science 0.06%0.03% OceanographyStatistics (130) and Decision Government (15) Psychology (5) 4.04% Psychology and Miscellaneous Health Social Work 0.02% PhysicalScience Sciences (135) (117) 0.02% Social Psychology (132) 1.20% Economics (16) 1.86% Medical Professions (25) 0.05% Industrial and Organizational Sociology (20) 1.58% Political Science and 1.89% Psychology (121) Government (15) Social Science 0.11% Science and Computer 0.04% Miscellaneous Social Sciences (125) Education 0.02% Social Psychology (132) Nursing (4) 4.48% Sociology (20) 1.58% 0.04% MiscellaneousTeacher Social Sciences Education (125) (108) Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey microEnglish data, 2009-2013 Language pooled sample. Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community0.06% Survey micro data,Health 2009-2013 pooled and sample. Medical 2.51% 38 38 and Literature (10) Preparatory Programs (118)

History (18) 1.64% Health 0.11% Humanities (109) Liberal Arts (19) 1.62% 0.11% Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (110) Family and Consumer 0.92% Sciences (29) Humanities and 0.04% Public Policy (127) Physical Fitness, Parks, Liberal Arts 0.98% 0.04% Atmospheric Sciences Recreation, and Leisure (28) and Meteorology (126) Industrial Arts, Consumer Criminal Justice and 2.19% Services, & Recreation 0.02% Geosciences (134) Fire Protection (13) Law and Public Policy 0.05% Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, and41 Multi-Disciplinary or 1.14% Biological Technologies (120) General Science (26) Physical Sciences 0.03% Oceanography (130) Psychology (5) 4.04% Psychology and Social Work 0.02% Physical Sciences (135) Economics (16) 1.86% 0.05% Industrial and Organizational Political Science and 1.89% Psychology (121) Government (15) Social Science 0.02% Social Psychology (132) Sociology (20) 1.58% 0.04% Miscellaneous Social Sciences (125)

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey micro data, 2009-2013 pooled sample. 38 42 43 The Economic Value of College Majors can be accessed at cew.georgetown.edu/report/valueofcollegemajors

THE ECONOMIC VALUE of COLLEGE MAJORS 3300 Whiteheaven Street, NW, Suite 3200 Washington, D.C. 20007 Mail: Campus Box 571444 Washington, D.C. 20057 cew.georgetown.edu