Forbes: The Most Lucrative College Majors

[drizzit]

Hasn't Engineering Enrollment been falling across the country for a few years now?

[Aardvark]

Chris: I don't think you're socially worthless

[VectorWega]

I think the Computer Engineering group is misleading. It does not differentiate computer hardware design or computer software engineering. I have the impression that salary for computer software engineering raises faster than other majors although the starting salary may be lower.

These numbers are simply averages for a given major. Graduates of a given major will go into many different types of jobs, but that is not what this is measuring.

[rainynightstarz]

Well, the ones who will eventually graduated are most likely the ones who wanted to do engineering from the beginning. The attrition rate probably also depend largely on the individual college and the student distribution.

I don't feel most of the US has the mentality that you're worthless if you don't become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. That is probably better describes CC. I although I am going into Engineering ( cuz i love to make things), a lot of my friends are choosing various routes like environmentalist, artists, biology majors, teachers, etc, etc. They are even the stereotypical asian's whose parents are suppose to only let them be doctor, lawyer, or engineer.

Anyways, I would like to mention a few other perks of majoring in engineering, it's not THAT uncommon for new engineer graduates to find starting jobs with $80+ salary, you do have to be close to the top of your class though. Summer internships are widely available for a lot of engineering students. The paying can be as high as $30+/ hour and you get a lot of hands on experience that will help you lots down the road after you graduate.

[TchaikovskyPiano]

So many people don't think about going into engineering, they just do it. Why should they be praised for that?

Maybe you and I have different experiences, but many people I know seem to have a genuine interest in engineering. Some of them make it, some simply can't and find something else. Either way, you can't blame them for trying. It would be mindless of people, though, to enroll in engineering simply for the money.

I think many people would hate to live in a world of just doctors, lawyers, and engineers. Other jobs might not have the prestige of, say, lawyers, but I think they are, or at least should be, appreciated.

[RickVA]

Did I miss it or was the philosophy major not on this list?

[machinegungeek]

So apparently Chemistry majors don't make much? Research and teaching just doesn't pay...

[rainynightstarz]

well you can't make much from Chemistry right out of college
most chem majors go through grad school then PhD programs.
But you can get 6 digit salaries with a PhD in chemistry, might take a couple years though.

[Mr Payne]

The attrition rate is exactly what I'm talking about. So many people don't think about going into engineering, they just do it. Why should they be praised for that?

Because they are attempting to go into a major that is universally known as being difficult?

I didn't realize engineering majors were heaped praise. I thought engineering was always looked down upon as nerds.

[chicagoboy12]

the data favors engineers because it excludes anyone who got a higher degree (JD, MBA, PhD), whereas many engineers just stick with their bachelors. an econ degree who goes on to get an MBA is going to be making a ton more, but is excluded from this survey.

[Mr Payne]

the data favors engineers because it excludes anyone who got a higher degree (JD, MBA, PhD), whereas many engineers just stick with their bachelors. an econ degree who goes on to get an MBA is going to be making a ton more, but is excluded from this survey.

As compared to an engineer who gets an MBA? I would highly doubt that *median* salary would favor the Econ + MBA over Engineering + MBA.

[paki786]

^ not worthless if u dont become a doc, lawyer, or engineer. Just not the same as them.

[rainynightstarz]

There are also a lot of engineering majors heading to work on wall street right after graduation.
I am not too sure why.

[middsmith]

well you can't make much from Chemistry right out of college
most chem majors go through grad school then PhD programs.
But you can get 6 digit salaries with a PhD in chemistry, might take a couple years though.

Nope, my sister's coworker's husband just graduated from Stanford with a PhD in chemistry and his starting salary is in the low 70. And they had to move to a different state for the job. The coworker is working remotely from home and flying in every month to meet with the team.

I think Engineering is the most lucrative major.
- good schools are usually state schools where tuition is cheap so you can graduate with little debt
- can start making big bucks when you turn 22, put the extra money in some high yield mutual fund and watch it grow. by the time your classmates finish their phd/md and start working, you've already had a comfortable head start.
- flexible hours

[CT2010Dad]

"I don't feel most of the US has the mentality that you're worthless if you don't become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. That is probably better describes CC."

LOL!

I was a lit major who joined the Peace Corps before going to grad school. My path was not the straightest, but now doing quite well, thank you, both in terms of job sat and salary.

I think anyone who chooses a major simply for the money is likely to be pretty unhappy - I know a number of doctors and lawyers (though surprisingly few engineers) - and even a few investment bankers - who have hit their mid life crisis, are miserable and are desparately seeking change. Doesn't mean all of them are, but these degrees are not panaceas.

And don't get me wrong - there is nothing wrong with money either...much better to have it than not.

My point is that choosing a career means looking more deeply at what you really want to do.