Higher pay leads to surge in STEM graduates. Science, tech majors are ‘the most lucrative,' says expert

Engineering and STEM fields continue to be the most lucrative bachelor's degree.

In response, more students pursue careers in the fields of science, technology and engineering.

In some cases, a degree may not be required to gain entry.

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earnings potential

Your choice of major will have a significant impact on the outcome.

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Many studies have shown this.

STEM fields continue to be the most lucrative for bachelor's degree holders. STEM is an acronym for "sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics".

Eric Greenberg is the president of

Greenberg Educational Group

A New York-based consultancy.

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Greenberg stated that many people today will choose a niche program as there are more options there. The STEM majors are the most lucrative, and this is what attracts people.

STEM majors have the highest salaries

Payscale's latest

College salary report

Petroleum engineering is the most lucrative major in the world. Graduates who enter the field can earn up to $200,000 after 10 years and nearly $6 figures with less experience.

The next highest-paid majors after petroleum engineering are operations research and industrial engineers, followed by interaction designers, applied economics, management and building science.

Technology jobs

According to another report from job search website Ladders, the Top 10 highest paying jobs are also dominated by women.

Even though hiring in tech has slowed down, there is still a demand for project managers and software engineers. Marc Cenedella, founder of Ladders, said: "I suspect that the rise in AI is a major factor."

Students who choose to pursue a specific degree in computer science, electrical or mechanical engineering, or economics - still mainly STEM disciplines - will be able to do so later on.

Earn the most overall

According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau analysis, bachelor's degree holders earn median salaries.

STEM graduates are in high demand due to higher salaries

Greenberg explained that "up until 10 years ago the focus was almost exclusively on the name of the institution. Now people are paying more attention to pre-professional programs, from a financial perspective."

He said that the rising cost of college tuition is forcing people to examine their value more carefully.

College has changed a lot in the past decade

More expensive

According to the

College Board

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Trends in student aid and college prices

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According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities, STEM graduates have increased at all levels.

Pew Research Center Analysis

Federal employment and education statistics

The research indicates that this trend is likely to continue. Pew found that the growth of STEM jobs will outpace non-STEM job growth in the next few years.

You don't need to have a degree all the time

John Mullinix is the chief growth officer of Ladders. He says that in certain STEM-related careers, "you do not always need a college degree."

Many companies in the tech sector, as well as many others, are growing.

dropping degree requirements

For middle-skilled and even higher-skilled roles.

Mullinix says that there are many options at lower costs, including bootcamps and specialized programs.

He said, "There is a great opportunity here."

A separate report from Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce shows that occupations in general are requiring more and more education.

The fastest-growing industries like computer and data processing still need workers with higher education levels than industries that haven't grown as fast.