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This article was first published 10 years ago

10 highest-paying college degrees

Last updated on: June 26, 2014 13:38 IST

Image: Find out which college degrees will fetch you a plum salary in the US.
Photographs: Reuters

You probably knew this already but your choice of specialisation can have a huge impact on the salary you earn after college.

So unless you are absolutely sure of what you want to major in, here's a quick look at some of the highest-paying college degrees.

You probably read about the ten most meaningful jobs yesterday.

Today we bring you a list of college degrees that will fetch you super high salaries.

To compile the list of college majors that had the highest return on investment, PayScale.com an online salary, benefits and compensation information company had conducted an elaborate survey with employees across the US.

The list included full-time, civilian employees, who held a bachelor's degree and no higher.

The final list contains a list of college degrees currently held both by experienced practitioners in the field and also by those who have recently graduated.

For its report, jobs which required advanced degrees, such as doctors and lawyers, were not considered.

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Tags: US

10. Mechanical Engineering (ME)


Photographs: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Starting salary: $60,900

Mid-career salary: $99,700

Mechanical engineering deals with the study of designing, developing and constructing devices and systems. 

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9. Physics


Photographs: A still from Gravity

Starting salary: $53,100

Mid-career salary: $101,000

Physics is a branch of science that deals with the study of forces of nature, objects and their influence on the environment.

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8. Computer Science (CS)


Photographs: Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Starting salary: $59,800

Mid-career salary: $102,000

Computer science involves you to understand the design and application of computers and computational processes -- how information can be digitally stored and retrieved.

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6. Computer Engineering (CE)


Photographs: Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

Starting salary: $65,300

Mid-career salary: $106,000

Computer engineering uses a combination of mathematical and scientific skills to design digital hardware and software systems.

While computer science graduates work on developing software, engineers work both on hardware and software.

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6. Electrical Engineering (EE)


Photographs: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Starting salary: $64,300

Mid-career salary: $106,000

Electrical engineering deals with the study and application of electricity, digital electronics, and electromagnetism.

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5. Aerospace Engineering


Starting salary: $62,800

Mid-career salary: $109,000

Aeorospace engineering teaches you to research, design, develop, construct and test the technology of an aircraft and/or spacecraft.

Aerospace engineers can choose between two specialisations: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.

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4. Chemical Engineering


Photographs: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Starting salary: $68,200

Mid-career salary: $115,000

Chemical engineering is perhaps one of the few branches of engineering that combines physical, chemical and biological elements (atoms and molecules) to design, develop and create useful products.

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3. Nuclear Engineering


Photographs: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Starting salary: $67,600

Mid-career salary: $117,000

Nuclear engineering teaches you to research and develop processes and systems to help you derive nuclear energy and positively benefit from radiation.

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2. Actuarial Mathematics


Photographs: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Starting salary: $58,700

Mid-career salary: $120,000

Actuarial mathematics is a branch of commerce that combines mathematics, statistics, accounting, economic and financial equations towards long-term financial management.

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1. Petroleum Engineering


Photographs: Umit Bektas / Reuters

Starting salary: $103,000

Mid-career salary: $160,000

Petroleum engineering is a niche branch of engineering that requires both math and science skills to study about hydrocarbons, fluid mechanics, geology, mining and drilling systems.

Petroleum engineers are required to use their skills to develop methods to extract oil and natural gas for various applications.

ALSO READ: 8 HOT JOBS for young engineers

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