Credible takeaways
- A college degree can net significantly more in earnings over time than a high school diploma alone, with an average annual salary.
- Salaries vary widely by degree, with engineering, computer science, and business commanding some of the highest paychecks.
- Factors like work experience, soft skills, and extra technical skills enhance the value of a degree, even one with a lower projected salary.
- The average rate of return on a bachelor’s degree is 12.5%.
You've likely heard that you can earn a higher salary over your lifetime if you go to college. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics backs that up: In the first quarter of 2026, college graduates with a bachelor's degree had median weekly earnings that were nearly 80% higher than those with a high school diploma.
The average annual salary for bachelor's degree holders is $91,208. However, salaries vary widely by major and industry.
In this guide, we cover what to know about bachelor's degree majors, salaries, and how to estimate the value of a degree.
Current private student loan rates
Average bachelor's degree salary in 2026
Today, some people wonder whether a college degree is still worth it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the answer is a clear yes. College graduates with a bachelor's degree earned a median weekly income of $1,763 ($7,640 per month), while high school grads with no college degree earned $977 per week in the first quarter of 2026.
Although the data didn't include associate degrees, the 2024 BLS data shows that people with an associate degree earned a median of $1,099 per week, compared to $1,543 for bachelor's degree holders.
While viewing these numbers at the macro level is useful, the individual degree you choose, how you use it, and where you live are contributing factors that shape your career outcome and earning potential.
Highest-paying bachelor's degrees
Salaries vary widely by major. Using data from 2023, economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York compared the “life-cycle wage premium” of a college grad by major to the median wage of a high school graduate.
Engineering offers a return of just over 18%, while education has a return of nearly 6% — compare that to a 10% average return in the stock market. That means that despite the variation in pay, college can be a good investment for most students in most majors, economists say.
Salary projections for students graduating in 2026 are promising compared to 2024, with science and math majors projected to have a 6.4% salary increase, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). But the majors commanding the highest median salaries haven't shifted much.
These bachelor's degree majors offer the highest earning potential and projected starting salaries for 2026:
- Engineering: $81,198 (Within the field, petroleum engineering commands the highest salary at $100,750.)
- Computer science: $81,535
- Math and sciences: $74,184
- Business: $68,873
- Agriculture and natural resources: $67,154
If your goal is to earn money right out of college, engineering is a safe bet. But not everyone wants to be an engineer, and choosing a major that aligns with your interests is more important, according to experts. Research shows that, in general, college degrees continue to open doors to professional careers with better salary growth over time than those without a college degree.
Katie Burns, a college counselor at IvyWise, a private college consulting business, encourages students to expand their thinking about majors.
“Your undergraduate education teaches you how to think, how to problem-solve creatively, and gives you experiences that in turn make you successful,” she says. “As you reflect on majors, ask ‘What are the problems you want to solve? What are the issues you want to tackle?’” she adds.
Also, explore emerging and declining fields and be open-minded about career possibilities, says Lisa Marker-Robbins, founder of Flourish Coaching, a career coaching service for teens and young adults.
“I've learned that passion often grows with proficiency,” she says. “Even if you're certain health care isn't for you, it's useful to know it's one of the fastest-growing fields, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”
Bachelor's degree salaries by major
Degree holders' salaries grow fastest during the first five years out of college, increasing by 7% to 9% annually, according to the Urban Institute. Salary growth slows after year five but continues to climb from 2% to 8% annually.
In researching college majors, be realistic about starting salaries as you explore potential salary growth. Overestimating entry-level earnings is common, Marker-Robbins says. Look at the lowest 10% range when using a resource like the Occupational Outlook Handbook, she notes. But don't skip exploring salary growth to measure the long-term economic value of a major.
These are some of the highest-earning bachelor's degrees, as well as projected salary growth through mid-career, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York:
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates
Factors that impact a bachelor's degree salary
Location
The national median salary by job category is just one data point. Your location by state and city will also affect what you earn, Marker-Robbins says. For example, while many people assume teaching degrees earn low salaries, your salary depends heavily on where you live. The median salary for a high school teacher in Seattle is $99,530, while in Tucson, it's $49,050, according to CareerOneStop from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Even if a salary looks favorable, though, you also need to consider the cost of living as you explore locations and industries, according to Marker-Robbins.
Major and field of study
Your choice of major can have a significant impact on earning potential. Degrees in fields such as engineering, computer science, and nursing often lead to higher-paying careers. Salaries may be lower in fields such as education, social work, and the arts.
Work experience and certifications
Other factors that influence salary and add practical value to your degree include early job experience, types of internships you've held, your soft skills, and any technical certifications you might have earned along the way.
“Building your skills and showing up strong creates opportunity,” says Marker-Robbins.
School reputation
School reputation carries less importance than you may think, experts say. How much you engage with the college you attend holds more weight.
“A school's reputation can open that first job door, but where you go isn't going to dictate your career trajectory,” explains Marker-Robbins. Your second job or a promotion within your first job will depend much more on your self-awareness and self-development than where you went to school, she notes.
Burns believes a good-fit college — and there will be many — is more important than a top-rated one. Attending a college where you're happy helps you “actualize your potential,” she says. That includes engaging with as many opportunities as possible because you never know where they might lead. Make the most of internships, research opportunities, student organizations, sports, and campus jobs, she says.
Is a bachelor's degree worth it in 2026?
For many students, earning a bachelor's degree remains a good investment. Although the cost of college has risen significantly over the last few decades, data show that those with a bachelor's degree generally earn more over time than those with only a high school diploma.
The average cost of college in 2025 is around $30,000, and the average rate of return for most college graduates is 12.5%. However, the return on a bachelor's degree varies by field and career path. For up to one-quarter of graduates who choose to work in relatively low-paying jobs, this can diminish the degree's financial payoff.
A bachelor's degree is one of the best ways to increase earning potential and qualify for a wider range of career opportunities. But choosing the right program and borrowing responsibly are key to maximizing its value.
How to evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of your degree
Evaluating ROI for a particular major can be murky, particularly for majors in the humanities that don't lead to a clear job title. But one thing to weigh is the cost of college and student loans you might need to take out, compared to a degree's potential salary.
Analyze the cost of tuition, room, and board both on and off campus, potential financial aid, and years needed for completion (many students take longer than four years) against your projected salary. A teaching degree, for example, may be worth it — but not from any college for any cost.
Calculate what your student loan payment could look like. Will your degree choice allow you to handle your debt without too much financial stress?
Editor insight: “If possible, I recommend borrowing less than what you expect to earn in your first year out of school. It's a simple way to keep your future loan payments more manageable and avoid taking on more debt than you can reasonably afford.”
— Renee Fleck, Student Loans Editor, Credible
Tools to estimate ROI
These tools can help you see different outcomes for degrees and salaries. Dig deeper for state and city salaries, and weigh these against the cost of your degree:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook
- LinkedIn (jobs feature)
- Glassdoor
- Payscale
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