Top College Degrees with the Highest ROI in 2025
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It’s very important to consider a major’s ROI before deciding to enroll. While it’s fit to follow your passion, balancing that passion with practicality can make a significant difference in your future.
Unless you have unlimited financial resources, your college journey will require you to acquire student loans, which you must pay after graduation. But how can you pay it if your degree doesn’t lead to a job that covers your expenses?
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Here are the top ten college degrees that offer the best return on investment (ROI). We conducted thorough research and reviewed various reliable sources to gather accurate salary information for these careers.
Understanding ROI in Education
Return on investment (ROI) is all about figuring out how well your investment is doing. It’s a simple way to see if you’ll make money by comparing what you’ll earn to what you’ll spend. In the context of higher education, ROI is calculated through the following elements:
College Cost
This encompasses the total educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, and equipment. However, it’s important to note that this figure does not include living expenses, as the student would incur costs regardless of their college attendance.
Estimated Earning
Refer to the projected lifetime income of a student who graduates with a specific bachelor’s degree.
Job Market Demand
It indicates how many job openings are available for graduates in particular fields, influenced by industry growth and economic conditions, and directly impacts a graduate’s potential earnings.
Many students are hesitant to pursue high-paying degrees because of the upfront costs, but it’s crucial to weigh the long-term benefits. Investing in a more expensive degree can lead to greater job opportunities with higher earning potential than a cheaper major with limited prospects.
For instance, pursuing a degree in Engineering—specifically fields like petroleum engineering—can be expensive due to high tuition costs and materials. But considering that the lowest 10% of petroleum engineers earn an average of $77,340, we’d say it’s a worthwhile investment. With experience, you can earn well into six figures.
On the other hand, a degree in Liberal Arts typically involves lower tuition costs. However, graduates often encounter job market challenges, starting with salaries between $35,000 and $50,000 per year, and face limited growth potential compared to more specialized fields.
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Top College Degrees with the Highest ROI in 2025
In our search, we found that majors leading to jobs in engineering, technology, healthcare, and business stood out as having the highest ROI. These included:
- Computer Science
- Engineering (General and Specific Fields)
- Nursing
- Business Administration
- Information Technology
- Health Sciences
- Finance
- Economics
- Pharmacy
- Data Science
To identify the college degrees with the highest ROI, we looked at not only their earning potential and career growth in 2024 but also how they are expected to perform over the entire decade. We used the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics data, along with other reliable industry reports, to analyze trends and projections.
Computer Science
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$111,343 | 26 percent |
Computer Science is one of the most challenging and in-demand degrees worldwide. This degree entails focusing on computation, information, and automation using computers. The top computer science schools for the highest ROI includes:
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Stanford University
You can become a Software Developer, Computer and Information Research Scientist, Computer Network Architect, and more.
Engineering (General and Specific Fields)
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$91,420 | 20 percent |
One of the best things about pursuing an engineering career is that you don’t need to become a manager to earn well. Also, you have various specialization options. Engineering fields with the highest ROI include:
- Electrical: Focuses on designing, developing, and testing electrical systems and components.
- Mechanical: Involves the design and analysis of mechanical systems.
- Civil: Centers on the planning, designing, and constructing infrastructure projects.
- Chemical: Applies principles of chemistry and physics to create processes for producing chemicals, materials, and energy.
- Computer and Hardware: Combines electrical engineering and computer science.
- Petroleum: Involves oil and gas extraction through innovative methods and technologies.
- Aerospace: Focuses on designing and developing aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems.
- Nuclear: Studies and develops processes and technologies related to nuclear energy.
Top institutions and programs:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Stanford University
Nursing
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$86,070 | 6 percent |
Healthcare degrees, especially nursing, will never become obsolete as breakthroughs, medicines, and technologies are discovered and created. The best nursing schools include:
- Emory University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Duke University
With a bachelor’s you can become a Registered Nurse (RN). On the other hand, a master’s degree will allow you to pursue higher-level roles like Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners (which pays an average of $129,480 per year).
Business Administration
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$81,041 | 6 percent |
If you’re looking for a degree that’ll give you access to various industries, consider Business Administration. Depending on what you choose to specialize in, you can pursue careers in finance, marketing, management,
human resources, or entrepreneurship.
However, you might need to pursue an MBA to earn six figures. The top schools for MBA programs are:
- Harvard Business School
- Stanford Graduate School of Business
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
An MBA allows you to apply for higher-level roles like Financial Analyst and Marketing Manager. These paths are known to earn six figures a year.
Information Technology
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$93,516 | 26 percent |
All types of businesses, even individuals, rely on technology today. With many plans for innovations, earning an Information Technology degree can open up many opportunities. However, to have the highest ROI, consider specializing in Cybersecurity and Network Administration—these paths pay six digits a year!
Top schools for IT degrees include:
- California Institute of Technology
- Florida State University
- Brigham Young University
Depending on your specialization, you can pursue careers like IT Manager and Cybersecurity Analyst.
Health Sciences
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$80,820 | 13 percent |
Health sciences is a broad field that provides various science courses studying the well-being, health, or medical care of human beings. The demand for healthcare professionals is increasing, making it an excellent choice for a fulfilling career with significant growth potential. Among the top providers of health science degrees are:
- Ohio University
- University of Minnesota
- Des Moines University
Top careers include health services manager, physical therapist, and radiation therapist. Some career paths may allow you to earn up to $200,000 a year, but you need a doctoral or professional degree.
Finance
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$92,631 | 10 percent |
Finance is yet another one of the strongest sectors. The financial sector encompasses businesses and institutions that handle money, facilitating the transfer and allocation of financial capital within an economy. Among the top schools are:
- University of Pennsylvania
- New York University
- The University of Texas–Austin
Some top positions you should consider pursuing include Financial Manager and Investment Banker.
Economics
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$62,520 | 5 percent |
Economics is a top-paying social science major focusing on individuals, businesses, governments, and nations allocating limited resources. Graduates can pursue banking, accountancy, and business and financial consultancy careers. Leading institutions offering economics degrees include:
- University of Chicago
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
Pharmacy
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$89,980 | 5 percent |
Nearly 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, making pharmacists one of the most accessible and trusted healthcare professionals. They ensure patients receive optimal outcomes from their medications. Top pharmacy schools include:
- University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
- University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- Ohio State University
This path, however, will require you to earn a doctoral or professional degree to pursue a career as a Pharmacist or Clinical Researcher.
Data Science
Average Starting Salary | 10-Year Job Growth |
$61,070 | 36 percent |
Data science is used in almost every industry, from business, finance, marketing, healthcare, and agriculture. Data management is increasingly vital due to rising regulatory compliance requirements alongside the growing volumes and diversity of data companies capture. Some of the best schools with data science degrees are:
- University of California, Berkeley
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Washington
Graduates often pursue a career as a Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, and more.
Conclusion
College is really a great investment. Yet, a degree can only open so many doors that the real challenge lies in how you navigate through them. In 2024, certain degrees offer the highest return on investment (ROI) due to their alignment with in-demand skills and job market trends. Before choosing which to pursue, you should also ensure your skills and interests align with your selected field.
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Aya Andrews
Editor-in-Chief
Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.
Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.
In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.
With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.