Average Salary by Major 2026: Complete Guide With Real Data

Not all college degrees deliver the same return on investment. Here are the key findings from our analysis of U.S. Department of Education salary data.

Average Salary by Major 2026

1. 1. Computer Science — $80,000
2. 2. Engineering — $75,000
3. 3. Nursing — $68,000
4. 4. Finance — $62,000
5. 5. Accounting — $58,000
6. 6. Economics — $58,000
7. 7. Data Science — $75,000
8. 8. Mathematics — $65,000
9. 9. Biology — $42,000
10. 10. Political Science — $45,000
11. 11. Communications — $42,000
12. 12. Psychology — $38,000
13. 13. Education — $40,000
14. 14. English/Liberal Arts — $36,000
15. 15. Sociology — $40,000
16. 16. Criminal Justice — $42,000
17. 17. Social Work — $38,000
18. 18. Art/Design — $40,000

What This Means for You

These are median starting salaries from the Department of Education College Scorecard, reflecting earnings 1 year after graduation. Your actual salary will vary based on school, location, internships, and specialization.

Want to see the data for your specific school and major? Search on Ask Kinsley to get your personalized Value Score.

Methodology

All salary figures are median earnings 1 year after graduation from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Rankings reflect bachelor's degree programs only. For full methodology, see our methodology page.