Computer science, engineering and math are projected to be the highest-paid degree graduates from the Class of 2017, according to a new report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (“NACE”).
These projections were made in spite of the fact that employers participating in NACE’s Job Outlook 2017 survey reported that the top bachelor’s degree majors they will hire are in the business fields.
Engineering graduates from the Class of 2017 are expected to be the highest paid with an overall average salary projection of $66,097. This is up almost 2 percent over last year’s average salary projection of $64,891 for Class of 2016 engineering graduates. Driving the high overall average salary for this group is that, as was the case last year, all of the individual reported engineering majors have average salary projections that exceed $60,000.
| AVERAGE SALARIES BY DISCIPLINE/BACHELOR’S DEGREES | ||
| Broad Category | 2017 Average Salary | Responses |
| Engineering | $66,097 | 521 |
| Computer Science | $65,540 | 212 |
| Math & Sciences | $59,368 | 86 |
| Business | $54,803 | 720 |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources | $54,364 | 11 |
| Social Sciences | $53,459 | 71 |
| Communications | $51,925 | 64 |
| Humanities | $48,733 | 45 |
Data contained in NACE’s Winter 2017 Salary Survey report are annual salary projections for Class of 2017 college graduates and were obtained by surveying NACE employer members from August 5, 2016 through November 30, 2016. The figures reported are for base salaries only and do not include bonuses, commissions, fringe benefits or overtime rates. Final starting salary data for the Class of 2016 will be available in the Spring 2017 Salary Survey The Winter 2017 Salary Survey is available to members in MyNACE. An executive summary of the Winter 2017 Salary Survey report is also available.
