10 fields in which a graduate degree really pays off
Given the time and money it takes to earn a bachelor's degree, investing in graduate education can seem like a risky investment. However, many graduate degree career paths ultimately pay off in the form of serious income gains.
Given the time and money it takes to earn a bachelor's degree, investing in graduate education can seem like a risky investment. However, many graduate degree career paths ultimately pay off in the form of serious income gains.
We compiled a list of 10 different career paths based on some of the highest-paying bachelor's degrees by salary potential, and the data shows that earning a graduate degree can yield as much as a 61% pay increase per year for the same major.
- Nursing
A nurse practitioner or nursing systems management degree can open up entirely new opportunities in this growing profession.
- Bachelor's: $57,500 beginner's salary
- Master's: 41% increase to $74,100
- Systems engineering
Many careers on this list are, unsurprisingly, related to engineering—and jobs in this high-demand field tend to come with high salaries as well. Systems engineering is no exception.
- Bachelor's: $66,400 beginner's salary
- Master's: 50% increase to $121,000
- Computer science and math
Like engineering, computer-related skills are in high demand, so it should come as no surprise that highly trained experts are needed in this field.
- Bachelor's: $63,500 beginner's salary
- Master's: 33.5% increase to $84,800
- Marketing and international business
There is a range of things you can do with a marketing degree, and an international business focus further widens these opportunities.
- Bachelor's: $45,400 beginner's salary
- Master's: 39% increase to $94,800
- Electrical and communications engineering
Electrical and communications engineering is one of many specific focuses within the broad engineering field.
- Bachelor's: $68,000 beginner's salary
- With a master's in telecommunications: 9.11% increase to $74,200
- Management science
This is just one example of the numerous graduate degree career paths that lead to lucrative positions in business management.
- Bachelor's: $57,200 beginner's salary
- Master's: 46% increase to $95,000
- Education
A master’s degree in education will yield a higher salary for elementary and secondary school teaching jobs and open up opportunities at colleges and universities.
- Bachelor's: $37,800 beginner's salary
- Master's: 61% increase to $63,700
- Computer engineering
Computers and engineering are two highly valued parts of modern society, making the development of electronics an important and prosperous career.
- Bachelor's: $69,600 beginner's salary
- Master's: 24.6% increase to $86,700
- Chemical engineering
With an impressive salary already associated with a bachelor’s degree in this field, graduate-level chemical engineers still get a modest increase in wages.
- Bachelor's: $69,800 beginner's salary
- Master's: 4.37% increase to $73,100
- Computer science and engineering
At the interface of two of the most sought-after skills in the modern world, people with graduate degrees in computer science and engineering see one of the highest salary percentage increases as compared to their undergraduate counterparts.
- Bachelor's: $71,200 beginner’s salary
- Master's: 34.7% increase to $95,900
Making an investment in graduate-level education may seem daunting, but if you plan well, taking this leap can most certainly pay off and be well worth the risk.
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