College Majors Salary: What You Really Earn After Graduation

When you pick a college major, a focused area of study in university that shapes your career path. Also known as field of study, it directly influences your future income, job options, and long-term financial stability. Too many students choose majors based on interest alone—then wonder why they’re stuck with student debt and a paycheck that doesn’t match their effort. The truth? Not all degrees are created equal when it comes to salary, the regular payment you receive for work, often measured annually. Also known as earnings, it’s the real metric that matters after graduation. A computer science grad in 2025 can start at $75,000. A philosophy major? Maybe $40,000. That gap doesn’t close easily.

It’s not just about the major—it’s about demand, how many employers need workers with those skills. Also known as job market need, it’s what drives pay up or down. Fields like engineering, data analysis, and nursing are in constant demand, so they pay more. Others, like fine arts or sociology, offer rich personal growth but rarely come with high starting salaries. And yes, location matters. A software engineer in Bangalore earns more than one in a smaller city. But even within the same city, the major you choose can mean a $30,000 difference in your first year. You don’t need to be a genius to see this pattern. You just need to look at the data.

Some majors pay off fast. Others take years to catch up. And a few? They rarely pay off at all unless you go into teaching, nonprofit work, or grad school. The good news? You don’t have to guess. Real people are sharing their numbers right now—what they earned after coding bootcamps, what their nursing degree actually paid, how much their business major helped them land a manager role. Below, you’ll find honest stories, salary breakdowns, and clear comparisons from real graduates. No hype. No sales pitches. Just what you need to know before you sign up for four years of classes.