These are the courses with the quickest increase in salary
Last Updated on September 6, 2024
We’ve highlighted the college majors with the highest starting salaries but which majors will get you a raise soonest?
According to a recent report by Expert Market, which analyzed data from Payscale’s 2016-2017 College Salary Report, those studying math or media and communications are in luck they can expect to earn about 80% more than their starting salary after 10 years on the job:
Expert Market then looked at over 200 specific majors to determine which ones offer the fastest salary progression 10 years after graduating.
When broken down by subject, the report threw up some interesting and quite unexpected findings, Karla McDougall of Expert Market reports. Despite not being a career well known for its high earnings potential, students who major in Aviation Management claimed the top spot.
Read on to see which other degrees join aviation management in the top 10.
You may notice that some majors are very similar (physics and physics and mathematics, for example) PayScale separates these majors to distinguish the students that double majored or did integrated degrees.
Physics
Average starting salary: $55,100
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $108,000
Percent increase: 96%
Applied mathematics
Average starting salary: $56,100
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $110,000
Percent increase: 96%
Physics and mathematics
Average starting salary: $56,200
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $111,000
Percent increase: 98%
William Taufic | Getty Images
Molecular biology
Average starting salary: $45,500
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $90,100
Percent increase: 98%
Government and politics
Average starting salary: $44,600
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $90,400
Percent increase: 103%
Marketing and international business
Average starting salary: $45,400
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $94,800
Percent increase: 109%
Hero Images | Getty Images
Government
Average starting salary: $49,600
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $105,000
Percent increase: 112%
Biochemistry and molecular biology
Average starting salary: $46,000
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $97,500
Percent increase: 112%
Telecommunications
Average starting salary: $40,800
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $87,100
Percent increase: 113%
Thomas Barwick | Getty Images
Aviation management
Average starting salary: $41,900
Average salary 10 years after graduating: $90,200
Percent increase: 114%
Avinash Singh is a study abroad consultant with over 10 years of experience helping students achieve their academic goals. He is an expert in the US, Australian, German, and Canadian education systems and has helped hundreds of students secure admission to top universities around the world. In his spare time, Avinash enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family. He is also an avid reader and loves to learn new things.
