20 College Majors That Give You the Best Chance to Pay Off Your Student Loans

Many students feel a calling to study fields like fine arts or literature when pursuing a college degree. Unfortunately, data indicates that those who pursue these majors have a hard time paying off student loans.

According to a study by Bankrate, STEM majors tend to have higher salaries and lower unemployment rates, often putting them in a better position to pay off student debt.

Assuming 10% of your median income goes to paying off student loans, these are the top 20 majors to pursue to get ahead financially and stay on top of debt.

Median Income: $115,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $11,500
Gross Income Remaining: $103,500

Incoming college students probably don’t want to choose their major based on earning potential alone, but a degree in electrical engineering is a surefire way to crush your debt early on. These graduates have the highest median income on the list.

Median Income: $112,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $11,200
Gross Income Remaining: $100,800

It’s no surprise that computer engineering is next up on the list. This broad and highly in-demand STEM field positions graduates to earn well over six figures annually.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

Petroleum engineering, which involves working to improve oil and gas production, is another subset under the engineering umbrella that sets graduates up to make great money.

Median Income: $105,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,500
Gross Income Remaining: $94,500

Aerospace engineers — who work with missiles, satellites, and even spacecraft — may have the coolest jobs on this list. However, nearly 50% pursue advanced degrees, which may increase their student loan burden.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Student Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

Materials science is another major, with many graduates (more than 60%) pursuing advanced degrees. So, despite the high earnings potential, the need for additional schooling should be factored in.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

Another well-paying STEM gig, mechanical engineers help design and develop various machines, from medical devices to space shuttles.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

Only about a third of graduates with degrees in electrical engineering technology pursue advanced degrees — and they still earn six figures, putting these graduates in a prime position to pay down loans.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

Those who take this route may work as physical scientists, engineering managers, and more. With an unemployment rate of just 1.5%, the prospect of paying off loans is very high.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

Chemical engineering is another STEM degree with six-figure earnings potential. Graduates can work in fields like pollution control and environmental protection.

Median Income: $95,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,500
Gross Income Remaining: $85,500

Actuarial science involves using statistics and financial theory to analyze risks/costs. Most actuarial scientists work in insurance, and with a high median salary, they’re in a solid position to pay off loans.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

While those with degrees in pharmaceutical sciences are on track to earn high salaries, most graduates (more than 60%) spend a bit more time in school and have advanced degrees.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

These days, computer science is the go-to major for many incoming college students, and for a good reason. They average six-figure incomes, and the unemployment rate is just 2.9%.

Median Income: $95,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,500
Gross Income Remaining: $85,500

Some potential gigs for these graduates include working as an industrial engineer, general or operations analytics, or management analyst.

Median Income: $90,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,000
Gross Income Remaining: $81,000

Graduates who majored in transportation sciences and technologies can work various jobs, from pilots to air traffic controllers to ship operators.

Median Income: $100,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $10,000
Gross Income Remaining: $90,000

While these graduates can go on to comfortably earn six figures, this major did have the highest unemployment rate (3%) on this list, and nearly 53% of grads pursue advanced degrees.

Median Income: $93,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,300
Gross Income Remaining: $83,700

Students who pursue these majors can work a range of jobs, from consulting to IT project management.

Median Income: $90,000
Yearly Income 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 help design and create the infrastructure that keeps this country running.

Median Income: $93,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,300
Gross Income Remaining: $83,700

From data analyst to technical support engineer, there are many different career paths you can pursue with a degree in information sciences.

Median Income: $90,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $9,000
Gross Income Remaining: $81,000

These graduates can go on to pursue many different paths, such as urban planner, engineering manager, or sales engineer.

Median Income: $85,000
Yearly Income Loan Repayment of 10%: $8,500
Gross Income Remaining: $76,500

A degree in construction services can net you a high salary and put you in a prime position to pay off loans. Since less than 10% of these graduates take on more debt by pursuing advanced degrees, it’s a great way to stretch your paycheck a bit further.

Even if you don’t (or didn’t) pursue one of these more lucrative college majors, plenty of today’s high earners have figured out how to tap into a new source of income by taking on side hustles and/or marketing skills that don’t necessarily require higher education.