Top 25 Highest Paid Non-STEM Majors

1. Introduction

Everyone can’t stop talking about STEM majors, and with good reason. These majors tend to lead to high-paying and in-demand careers. However, not every student is cut out to study science, technology, engineering or math.

1.1 About This Ranking

• Focuses on bachelor’s degrees only
• Salaries based on PayScale data
• Early-career salary covers first 5 years in workforce
• Higher degrees typically lead to better earning potential

1.2 STEM Definition

For this article, STEM includes:

• Agriculture
• Architecture
• Biological & Biomedical Services
• Communications Technology
• Computer & Information Science
• Engineering
• Mathematics & Statistics
• Natural Resources & Conservation
• Physical Sciences
• Science Technologies

Note: Medical fields and social sciences are not included in our STEM definition for this analysis.

2. Top Paying Non-STEM Majors

2.1 Nursing

Nursing is one of the best college majors for students who want to graduate immediately into a well-paying career.

• Annual Graduates: 154,000+
• Early-Career Salary: $53,300
• Mid-Career Salary: $70,000+
• Specializations:
  • Nurse Midwife
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Registered Nurse
• Top Schools:
  • Molloy College →
  • New York University →
  • Drexel University →

2.2 Construction Management

Although construction management isn’t a popular major choice, it is a highly paid non-STEM major.

• Annual Graduates: 1,736
• Early-Career Salary: $49,200
• Mid-Career Salary: $83,300
• Top Schools:
  • Wentworth Institute of Technology →
  • Arizona State University →
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute →

2.3 Economics

• Annual Graduates: 37,000
• Early-Career Salary: $46,000
• Mid-Career Salary: $88,000
• Top Schools:
  • University of Chicago →
  • Columbia University →
  • Harvard University →

2.4 Finance

• Annual Graduates: 38,000
• Early-Career Salary: $45,000
• Mid-Career Salary: $81,000
• Top Schools:
  • University of Pennsylvania →
  • Boston College →
  • Bentley University →

2.5 Real Estate

• Early-Career Salary: $44,500
• Mid-Career Salary: $76,500
• Career Paths:
  • Financial Services
  • Insurance Sales
  • Appraisals
  • Real Estate Agent

2.6 Accounting

• Annual Graduates: 60,000
• Early-Career Salary: $44,500
• Mid-Career Salary: $75,000
• Top Schools:
  • Bentley University →
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign →
  • Bryant University →

2.7 Public Policy

• Early-Career Salary: $43,400
• Mid-Career Salary: $73,700
• Top Schools:
  • Princeton University →
  • Duke University →
  • Brandeis University →

2.8 Business/Managerial Economics

• Early-Career Salary: $43,000
• Mid-Career Salary: $78,000
• Top Schools:
  • Bentley University →
  • Lehigh University →
  • UCLA →

2.9 Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services

• Early-Career Salary: $42,500
• Mid-Career Salary: $54,900
• Top Schools:
  • University of Delaware →
  • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo →
  • Cal State Long Beach →

2.10 International Business

• Early-Career Salary: $42,000
• Mid-Career Salary: $79,000
• Top Schools:
  • Georgetown University →
  • Villanova University →
  • Bryant University →

2.11 Public Health

• Early-Career Salary: $41,400
• Mid-Career Salary: $77,200
• Career Paths:
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Social Worker
  • Health Educator

2.12 Business Administration & Management

• Early-Career Salary: $41,200
• Mid-Career Salary: $70,700
• Note: MBA can increase salary prospects

2.13 Marketing

• Early-Career Salary: $39,600
• Mid-Career Salary: $75,300
• Career Paths:
  • Marketing Creative
  • Marketing Director
  • Advertising Agent

2.14 Geography & Cartography

• Early-Career Salary: $39,400
• Mid-Career Salary: $67,800
• Career Fields:
  • Security
  • Government
  • Business
  • Education

2.15 East Asian Languages

• Early-Career Salary: $39,400
• Concentrations:
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Tibetan
• Career Paths:
  • International Relations
  • Education
  • Translation
  • Business
  • Government

2.16 Entrepreneurial Studies

• Early-Career Salary: $39,100
• Mid-Career Salary: $85,300
• Focus: Starting and running businesses

2.17 Public Administration

• Focus: Government and public service careers
• Recommended for students interested in:
  • Public Policy
  • Government Operations
  • Public Service

2.18 Political Science & Government

• Early-Career Salary: $38,700
• Mid-Career Salary: $74,200
• Career Paths:
  • Politics
  • Law
  • Education
  • Public Policy

2.19 Area Studies

• Early-Career Salary: $38,700
• Mid-Career Salary: $64,800
• Career Paths:
  • Education
  • Politics
  • Social Work
  • Business

2.20 International Relations & National Security

• Early-Career Salary: $38,400
• Mid-Career Salary: $82,900
• Career Paths:
  • Diplomacy
  • International Business
  • National Security
  • Education

2.21 Gerontology

• Early-Career Salary: $38,300
• Mid-Career Salary: $63,400
• Career Paths:
  • Healthcare
  • Social Work
  • Education

2.22 Philosophy

• Early-Career Salary: $38,200
• Mid-Career Salary: $69,600
• Career Paths:
  • Law
  • Education
  • Writing
  • Business

2.23 Business/Corporate Communications

• Early-Career Salary: $38,000
• Mid-Career Salary: $64,100
• Career Paths:
  • Business Communications
  • Public Relations
  • Marketing

2.24 Music

• Early-Career Salary: $36,900
• Mid-Career Salary: $57,900
• Career Paths:
  • Music Education
  • Performance
  • Composition
  • Music Therapy

2.25 Urban Studies

• Early-Career Salary: $35,500
• Mid-Career Salary: $64,100
• Career Paths:
  • Urban Planning
  • Government
  • Non-Profit
  • Education

3. Find Your Major

Not sure which major is right for you? Try our Major Matcher → to find personalized recommendations based on your interests and goals.