College is meant to be a stepping stone to a better financial future, but that future can be hard to realize when you start your career with crippling student debt. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average student borrower faces a debt balance of $37,088.
However, according to a Bankrate study, some majors might give you a better start, with higher-than-average incomes and low unemployment rates—especially in STEM fields.
If 10% of your gross income should go toward paying off your student loans, then having a degree that pays more could make that easier. And what’s left over after your loan payment is cash you could use to crush your debt or save for retirement.
Here are the top 20 majors that could make your student debt worthwhile.
Earn money online by taking surveys
$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.
Follow these simple steps to start earning:
- Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
- Take surveys.
- Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!
P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.
Major: Architectural Engineering
Median Income: $90,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,000
Gross Income Remaining: $81,000
Architectural engineering is a niche degree program offered at only a handful of schools. Graduates from these programs are in high demand and practically guaranteed jobs, with a median unemployment rate of only 1.3%.
Major: Construction Services
Median Income: $80,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $8,000
Gross Income Remaining: $71,000
A degree in construction services could help you pay off your debt because few of these graduates (only 12%) go on to pursue an advanced degree.
Major: Computer Engineering
Median Income: $101,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,100
Gross Income Remaining: $90,900
It’s no surprise that computer engineering makes this list. It’s a broad and highly in-demand STEM field that positions you to earn six figures a year.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1 <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000
Aerospace engineers design missiles, aircraft, satellites, and even spacecraft. They might have the coolest jobs on this list, but over 50% of these graduates pursue advanced degrees, which may increase their student loan debt.
Major: Transportation Sciences and Technologies
Median Income: $86,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $8,600
Gross Income Remaining: $77,400
Graduates with this degree work a wide range of jobs, from pilots to sales managers.
Trending Stories
Major: Electrical Engineering
Median Income: $107,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,700
Gross Income Remaining: $96,300
You shouldn’t choose your major based on earning potential alone, but graduates with a degree in electrical engineering have the highest median income on this list.
Major: Materials Engineering and Materials Science
Median Income: $97,500
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,750
Gross Income Remaining: $87,750
Materials engineering has been described as “modern-day alchemy,” and it’s a great degree program if you’re fascinated with physics and chemistry.
Major: Civil Engineering
Median Income: $90,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,000
Gross Income Remaining: $81,000
Not only can a civil engineering degree net a median income of $90,0000 annually, but graduates are responsible for designing and creating the infrastructure that keeps this country running.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Median Income: $96,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,600
Gross Income Remaining: $86,400
Mechanical engineering graduates work with machines every day. They might build pieces of space shuttles or design medical devices.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2 <p>See website for details.</p>
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Major: Chemical Engineering
Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000
Here’s another STEM degree with the potential for a six-figure salary. Chemical engineers work in fields like pollution control, environmental protection, recycling, alternative energy, and medical science.
Major: Engineering Mechanics, Physics, and Science
Median Income: $93,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,300
Gross Income Remaining: $83,700
With an incredibly low unemployment rate of 1.3%, these graduates are extremely well-paid and work as physical scientists, management analysts, and engineering managers.
Major: Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Median Income: $101,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,100
Gross Income Remaining: $90,900
More than half of graduates with a degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration complete an advanced degree. Only getting a bachelor’s degree sets you up for entry-level positions, while advanced degrees can lead to teaching and research positions.
Major: Industrial Production Technologies
Median Income: $80,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $8,000
Gross Income Remaining: $72,000
Despite a slightly lower median income than other fields on this list, graduates with a degree in industrial production technologies have an extremely low unemployment rate of 1.9%, and only 20% have an advanced degree.
Major: Health and Medical Preparatory Programs
Median Income: $98,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,800
Gross Income Remaining: $88,200
This degree feeds into professional programs like dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and nursing. So it shouldn’t surprise you that 80% complete an advanced degree.
Major: Electrical Engineering Technology
Median Income: $86,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $8,600
Gross Income Remaining: $77,400
Less than a third of graduates with a degree in electrical engineering technology pursue advanced degrees, and they still earn a median salary of $86,000. That’s great for paying your student loans.
Major: Metallurgical Engineering
Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000
Students pursuing this major end up in careers that work closely with superconductors, advanced coatings, cars, aircraft, and surgical implements. But it’s also another STEM field where around 50% of graduates pursue advanced degrees.
Major: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Median Income: $90,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,000
Gross Income Remaining: $81,000
If you have a degree in industrial and manufacturing engineering, the most popular job opportunities are industrial engineers, general and operations managers, and management analysts.
Major: Materials Science
Median Income: $94,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,400
Gross Income Remaining: $84,600
To help them earn this median salary, an estimated 65% of materials science majors graduate with an advanced degree. Some go on to pursue careers as patent lawyers, which requires a law degree, but many choose advanced degrees because it opens the door to higher-paying positions in the future.
Major: Miscellaneous Engineering
Median Income: $90,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,000
Gross Income Remaining: $81,000
This is a catch-all term for other engineering majors not classified by the National Center of Education Statistics, but the general earnings are on par with what other engineers earn annually.
Major: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000
Graduates in this field go on to design, develop, and evaluate the operations of marine vessels and ship machinery. It has one of the highest median incomes on this list, and 40% of graduates pursue advanced degrees.
Bottom line
Getting a degree in a STEM field isn’t a golden ticket out of student loan debt, but it can put you on the path toward paying off your debt and making brilliant money moves.
And if you’re already struggling with student loans, don’t forget that refinancing your student loans is an option that could help you work toward financial freedom.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.