With two out of every three high school graduates in the U.S. choosing to go to college each year, a college degree has become a crucial step to landing a great first job.
When selecting a major like industrial and systems engineering, there are many factors to consider other than earning potential like:
- What are your passions and interests?
- What schools offer this major?
- How much will it cost?
- How will you pay for it?
Still, it is nice to know which degrees lead to the big bucks. Because when it comes to your earning potential, not all degrees are created equal.
So which majors pay the highest?
According to Glassdoor.com, who analyzed hundreds of thousands of resumes and corresponding salary reports to determine their rankings, industrial engineering ranks #5 on their list of the top 10 majors that pay the most during the first five years out of college. WalletHub.com ranks used 13 key metrics including median starting salary, projected job growth by 2026, and median tenure with employer to determine their list. Systems and industrial engineering both ranked in the top 10 for best entry-level jobs.
Glassdoor.com
1. Computer Science
Median Base Salary: $70,000
2. Electrical Engineering
Median Base Salary: $68,438
3. Mechanical Engineering
Median Base Salary: $68,000
4. Chemical Engineering
Median Base Salary: $65,000
5. Industrial Engineering
Median Base Salary: $64,381
6. Information Technology
Median Base Salary: $64,008
7. Civil Engineering
Median Base Salary: $61,500
8. Statistics
Median Base Salary: $60,000
9. Nursing
Median Base Salary: $58,928
10. Management Information Systems
Median Base Salary: $58,000
WalletHub.com
1. Systems Engineer
Total Score: 78.90
2. Engineer
Total Score: 78.76
3. Electrical Engineer
Total Score: 78.40
4. Hardware Engineer
Total Score: 75.44
5. Web Applications Developer
Total Score: 74.52
6. Env., Health, and Safety Engr
Total Score: 74.29
7. Electronics Engineer
Total Score: 74.03
8. Certified Nursing Assistant
Total Score: 72.54
9. industrial Engineer
Total Score: 71.79
10. Architect
Total Score: 71.33