The Majors That Will Survive the Federal Loan Crackdown — And Why

The new STATS rule has families panicking about which majors might lose federal loan access. But here's the other side of that coin: the vast majority of college programs will pass the earnings test with room to spare.

If you're trying to pick a major in the new era of earnings accountability, these are the fields where the math works — not just to keep your loans, but to build real financial security after graduation.

The Earnings Test Recap

Quick refresher: under the STATS rule, undergraduate programs must produce graduates who earn more than the median high school diploma holder in their state (~$41,800/year nationally). Programs that fail two out of three years lose federal loan eligibility starting 2028.

The programs below don't just clear that bar. They vault over it.

Tier 1: The Untouchables (Median Starting Salary $70,000+)

These fields produce graduates earning nearly double the threshold. They'll never be at risk:

Major	Median Starting Salary	Above Threshold By
Computer Science	$85,000	+103%
Software Engineering	$90,000	+115%
Mechanical Engineering	$75,000	+79%
Electrical Engineering	$78,000	+87%
Nursing (BSN)	$77,000	+84%
Data Science	$82,000	+96%
Cybersecurity	$75,000	+79%

Tier 2: Comfortably Safe (Median Starting Salary $50,000-$70,000)

These majors clear the threshold by a healthy margin and represent strong career paths:

• Accounting — Starting around $58,000, with CPA certification pushing earnings to $70,000+ quickly.
• Finance — Median start of $62,000 with strong upward trajectory.
• Marketing — Starting at $52,000-$58,000, with digital marketing roles trending higher.
• Economics — Versatile degree with starting salaries around $58,000.
• Supply Chain Management — Booming demand, starting salaries around $60,000.
• Healthcare Administration — The business side of healthcare, starting around $55,000.
• Information Technology — Broad field with reliable $55,000-$65,000 starting range.
• Construction Management — Infrastructure boom driving $58,000+ starting salaries.

Tier 3: Should Be Safe, But Watch the School (Median Starting Salary $42,000-$50,000)

These majors pass nationally, but specific programs at specific schools could fall below the threshold:

• Business Administration (General) — Broad degree with wide salary variation by school. A business degree from one school might produce $55,000 earners while the same degree elsewhere produces $38,000 earners.
• Biology — Pre-med track helps, but biology-only careers start lower. Program matters enormously.
• Political Science — Strong pre-law and government pathways push the median up, but varies by school.
• Criminal Justice — Law enforcement and federal agency paths pay well; private sector options less so.
• Communications — Digital and corporate communications pay well; general media roles less consistently.

Why These Majors Win

The pattern isn't complicated. Majors that survive the earnings test share common traits:

1. Clear career pipelines. CS leads to software development. Nursing leads to nursing. Accounting leads to accounting. The job is in the name.
2. High employer demand. When companies compete for graduates, salaries rise. Engineering, healthcare, and tech have persistent talent shortages.
3. Measurable, transferable skills. Coding, financial modeling, patient care, data analysis — these skills have obvious market value.
4. Licensing or certification requirements. Fields with professional barriers to entry (nursing boards, CPA exam, PE license) limit supply and support salaries.

What This Means for Your Decision

Choosing a "safe" major doesn't mean you have to give up on what interests you. Consider these strategies:

• Pair a passion with a practical skill. Love writing? Add a marketing or UX concentration. Interested in social issues? Consider public health or healthcare administration rather than general social sciences.
• Use the data to choose your school. Even within safe majors, the school you choose dramatically affects outcomes. A business degree from one school might start at $55,000; the same degree elsewhere might start at $42,000.
• Think about the ceiling, not just the floor. Some majors have high starting salaries but flat trajectories. Others start modestly but have enormous upside.

The best tool for all of this? Actual data. Compare specific programs at specific schools to see real salary outcomes before you commit.