Here we examines the return on investment (ROI) of various college degrees in the U.S., comparing expected lifetime earnings minus debt to the financial benefits of entering the workforce immediately after high school. The analysis highlights significant differences between degree programs.
Key findings include:
- High-ROI Degrees:
- Engineering ($570,616), Computer and Information Sciences ($477,229), Mathematics ($340,875), and Engineering Technicians ($311,141) offer the highest returns on investment, making them the most valuable degrees in terms of expected lifetime income.
- Business and Architecture degrees offer more moderate returns ($205,191 and $196,711, respectively).
- Health and Science Fields:
- Nursing and Health Professions provide a solid return ($194,756), as do degrees in Physics, Chemistry, and Geology ($168,822).
- Lower ROI Degrees:
- Social Sciences ($118,454) and Interdisciplinary Studies ($69,656) show lower returns compared to technical or STEM degrees.
- Humanities programs like Visual and Performing Arts and Theology have some of the lowest ROI, with English degrees showing a negative ROI of around -$39,000.
- Trends in Degree Popularity:
- English language programs have seen a significant decrease in graduates, with 32% fewer students completing them compared to a decade ago.
- Notable Specific Program:
- Harvard University’s Computer Science program stands out for its exceptionally high ROI, offering graduates a projected $4 million in lifetime ROI, with median income of $256,539 and median debt of $14,000.
Source: Visual Capitalist
