List of Popular College Majors Seeing Salaries Increase: Report
May 2, 2025
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Starting salaries for several top college majors are on the rise, with engineering and computer science graduates projected to earn the most among the Class of 2025.
New data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) outlines expected compensation trends for upcoming graduates as employers seek candidates in high-demand technical and business fields.
According to NACE’s Winter 2025 Salary Survey, median starting salaries are increasing for majors like computer engineering and software development, even as some others, such as business administration and communications, see projected declines.
Why It Matters
The salary projections offer insight into which fields are attracting the most demand from employers and provide guidance to students and families making decisions about higher education investments. As inflation and the cost of living remain elevated, the earning potential of a degree can be a factor in academic planning.
The latest projections underscore a broader trend of employers continuing to value STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) expertise. The data also highlights the disparity in salary growth between technical and non-technical fields, adding urgency to ongoing debate about how best to align higher education with labor market needs.
A graduate of Columbia University’s lauded School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) smiles at friends outside SIPA’s commencement exercises at St. John the Divine cathedral May 17, 2004 in New York City. A graduate of Columbia University’s lauded School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) smiles at friends outside SIPA’s commencement exercises at St. John the Divine cathedral May 17, 2004 in New York City. Chris Hondros/Getty Images
What To Know
The NACE report indicates that the highest starting median salary for the Class of 2025 is expected in computer engineering, at $82,565. Following closely are software engineering ($82,536) and computer science ($76,251). Computer and software engineering starting salaries climbed 6.5 percent and 5.8 percent respectively.
Engineering disciplines, in general, dominate the top of the salary rankings. Across the board, their overall average is up 2.6 percent from $76,736 last year to $78,731 this year.
Computer science was the 10th most popular major according to MyDegreeGuide, based on data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics and Georgetown University. Meanwhile engineering majors more broadly took the 22nd spot, with electrical engineering at number 16.
However, experts say these majors may become more popular if undergrads prioritize their potential earnings.
In contrast, the report shows anticipated salary declines for some common business-related majors.
The NACE report shows a projected 3.6 percent drop in starting salaries for social science graduates in 2025, making it one of a few major academic disciplines expected to see a year-over-year decline.
Communications, a field that has consistently ranked among the top 10 most popular majors, is also experiencing shrinking salary projections for new graduates.
Business, health professions, social sciences, biological sciences, psychology and engineering remain the most commonly pursued bachelor’s degrees in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
What People Are Saying
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “It’s all about demand. Engineering, computer science, and business salaries are rising because the market warrants it. On the flip side, majors like Social Sciences and Communications saw some of the biggest pay drops. That probably points to oversupply. The job market moves in cycles, and right now, it’s rewarding skills tied directly to production, innovation, and scale.”
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: “Engineering and CS are climbing – of course. They’re the golden children of an economy obsessed with tech domination, forget the social cost. We keep pouring money into these fields because they feed the AI and tech arms race, not because we care about workers’ wellbeing or the social good.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “Some of these majors represent few surprises, as engineering and computer science have been fields that have been in expansion mode for the better part of two decades. As such, jobs tend to be more plentiful with a limited talent pool, causing salaries to increase over time.”
What Happens Next
As employers continue to signal strong demand for technical skill sets, institutions may further emphasize STEM offerings and career readiness initiatives.
Meanwhile, students pursuing non-technical degrees may face increased pressure to acquire additional certifications or graduate credentials to stay competitive.
“Social sciences sees a big drop because we’ve devalued the work of understanding people, ethics, and society,” Driscoll said. “Ironically, the very skills we desperately need in an age of polarization and automation. This report reflects a job market that reward technical production over human connection.”
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