Undergrad Degrees With Major Payoffs
Breaks down which undergraduate majors deliver the strongest earnings outcomes, and explains how families should weigh net cost against short and long term income potential when evaluating ROI.
Juno Team
Jan 01, 2026
When families evaluate the return on investment of an undergraduate degree, it is easy to focus only on tuition sticker price. In reality, families should consider both net cost of attendance, meaning tuition minus scholarships and financial aid actually received, and expected earnings after graduation.
A lower-cost degree with weak earnings can underperform a higher-cost degree with strong income potential. The goal is not to chase salary alone, but to understand how cost and earnings interact over time.
Which Majors Pay the Most Right After College
Early-career earnings matter because they shape cash flow in the first few years after graduation, when loan payments begin and financial flexibility is limited. According to 2025 data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, technical and quantitative majors dominate the top of the list.
Computer science, computer engineering, and chemical engineering graduates earned median salaries of about $80,000 immediately after graduation. Most engineering disciplines followed closely, with starting salaries generally in the $70,000 to $80,000 range. Business-adjacent majors like finance, economics, business analytics, and construction services also posted strong outcomes, with median early-career wages around $70,000.
These earnings levels can materially change ROI calculations, especially when paired with strong financial aid or in-state tuition.
Which Majors Lead in Mid-Career Earnings
Mid-career earnings provide a better view of long-term ROI. Majors that start strong often continue to perform well a decade or more into the workforce.
Aerospace engineering leads mid-career earnings, with median income around $125,000. Computer engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering all exceed $115,000. Computer science remains strong at roughly $115,000. Finance and economics majors also perform well over time, with median mid-career earnings around $110,000.
Notably, many of the top 15 to 20 majors reach six-figure median earnings by mid-career. That long-term income growth can outweigh higher upfront education costs, particularly if borrowing is kept reasonable.
Why Earnings Matter as Much as Cost
ROI is not determined by cost alone. It is determined by the relationship between net cost and expected earnings.
Two students might graduate with the same amount of debt, but vastly different repayment experiences if one earns $45,000 and the other earns $80,000. Likewise, a higher-cost degree can still deliver strong ROI if it leads to durable, high-paying career paths.
This is why financial aid matters so much. Net cost, not sticker price, should always be the starting point. A private school with strong aid and a high-earning major may outperform a lower-cost option with weaker outcomes.
Education Level and Earnings Still Correlate Strongly
Broader labor data reinforces this pattern. Earnings rise consistently with educational attainment. Workers without a high school diploma earn far less, on average, than those with associate or bachelor’s degrees. Bachelor’s degree holders significantly out-earn those with only associate degrees, and earnings continue to rise at the master’s, doctoral, and professional degree levels.
This does not mean more education is always better. It means that when education is aligned with market demand and managed at a reasonable cost, the income premium is real.
The Bottom Line
The highest-paying undergraduate degrees tend to be technical, quantitative, or closely tied to in-demand industries. But ROI is not about chasing salary in isolation. It is about balancing net cost of attendance, expected earnings, and personal fit.
Written By
Juno Team
Juno came into existence to help students save money on student loans and other financial products through group buying power by negotiating with lenders. The Juno Team has worked with 200,000+ students and families to help them save money.
