Computer science majors are projected to post the highest starting salary among the class of 2017 master’s degree graduates, according to salary survey data released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
The projected average salaries for these graduates is $81,039, up more than 12% from last year’s projection. Each of the individual majors — computer science at 10.6%, information sciences and systems at 13.7% and software applications at 14.6% — show significant increases and have average salary projections that are hovering near the $80,000 mark.
Engineering graduates — who topped the list of projected highest-paid master’s degree graduates last year — are second this year, with average salary projected to be $75,053, just 1.6% higher than last year. However, last month NACE projected engineering majors will post the highest starting salaries for graduates with bachelor’s degrees.
The 2017 average projected salaries in by discipline for graduates with master’s degrees include:
- Computer science: $81,039
- Engineering: $75,053
- Business: $74,066
- Math and sciences: $70,061
- Communications: $67,364
- Social sciences: $61,333
The projected 2017 average salaries by discipline for doctoral degrees include:
- Computer science: $110,841
- Engineering: $95,973
- Math and sciences: $86,713
- Business: $78,379
The Winter 2017 Salary Survey included 243 NACE employer members, who reported their projected salaries for their anticipated new hires from the class of 2017. It was conducted from Aug. 5 through Nov. 30, 2016.
