A recent report from the HEA Group, a research organization focused on higher education, has highlighted the highest-paying fields for bachelor’s degree holders in California. The report, released in late August, indicates that graduates in mathematics and computer science earn an average annual salary of $138,785, making it the top-paying field.
Following closely behind, computer engineering graduates make about $125,120 per year. Registered nursing and related disciplines rank third with average earnings of $123,693, while those in computer science earn around $123,528. Other well-paying fields include general engineering, electrical engineering, construction management, and industrial engineering, all of which surpass $100,000 in annual earnings.
This study examined data from nearly 277,000 graduates who completed their programs between 2017 and 2019 across a wide range of fields and institutions. The earnings data was later adjusted for the years 2022 and 2023, reflecting changes in income to 2024 dollars.
Here’s a look at the ten highest-paying bachelor’s degree fields in California:
- Mathematics and Computer Science: $138,785
- Computer Engineering: $125,120
- Registered Nursing and Related Fields: $123,693
- Computer Science: $123,528
- General Engineering: $117,199
- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering: $116,839
- Construction Management: $112,576
- Industrial Engineering: $105,268
- Clinical and Medical Laboratory Science/Research: $104,786
- Aerospace Engineering: $104,630
While fields such as business administration and general psychology are popular among graduates, they tend to offer lower average salaries. Business administration graduates earn about $74,271 on average, while those in psychology earn only $53,780.
Overall, the average earnings for bachelor’s degree holders in California four years after graduation is approximately $70,851. This figure is considerably higher than the $36,082 earned by Californians aged 25-34 with only a high school diploma.
The HEA Group reminds us that while earnings can be a significant factor in evaluating a degree’s worth, other important aspects should also be considered. Different fields fulfill various roles in society, and a graduate’s income can be affected by many other factors beyond the specific subject they studied.
With around 40 million residents, California boasts one of the largest and most diverse higher education systems in the United States, which includes community colleges, public universities, and private institutions.
