Computer Science Projects Top Starting Salary for Master's Degree Grads

BETHLEHEM, PA — Computer science majors have the highest average starting salary projection among master’s degree graduates from the college Class of 2015, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

NACE’s January 2015 Salary Survey found that projected starting salaries for Class of 2015 master’s degree graduates in computer science average $71,140. (See Figure 1.)

The salaries of engineering and business majors follow just behind. The average starting salary for Class of 2015 graduates earning master’s degrees in engineering is projected to be $69,698, while business majors earning master’s degrees can anticipate earning salaries that average $67,890.

Math and sciences majors are expected to earn the next highest salary — $64,465.

The remainder of the master’s degree broad categories have salary projections that exceed $50,000.

Figure 1: Projected Average Salaries by Discipline for 2015 Master's Degree Graduates

Discipline 2015 Projected Average Salary
Computer Science $71,140
Engineering $69,698
Business $67,890
Math & Sciences $64,465
Communications $59,130
Healthcare $58,500
Social Sciences $54,816
Humanities $53,692
Agriculture & Natural Resources $51,417
Source: January 2015 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers.
All data are for master's degree graduates.

About Salary Survey
Salary Survey reports starting salaries for new college graduates. The data contained in NACE’s January 2015 Salary Survey report were provided by NACE employer members, who reported their projected salaries for their anticipated new hires from the Class of 2015. Data in the January issue include projected starting salaries for nearly 60 majors at the bachelor’s degree level, 44 majors at the master’s degree level, and 14 disciplines at the doctoral degree level. Data are reported by major, industry and region. The January 2015 Salary Survey was conducted from August 11, 2014, through November 24, 2014. A total of 316 surveys were returned for a 30.4 percent response rate. An executive summary of the January 2015 Salary Survey report — the first salary report for the Class of 2015 — is available at www.naceweb.org/salary-resources/salary-survey.aspx.

About NACE
Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the employment of college graduates. For more information, visit http://www.naceweb.org.

Featured

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • Johns Hopkins Starts Construction on New Residence Hall, Dining Facility

    The Homewood Campus of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., recently began construction on a new residence hall and dining facility, according to university news. The work involves demolishing the existing Alumni Memorial Residence Hall I, which was built in 1923, to make room for the new facility.

  • Hawaii Elementary School Breaks Ground on New Classroom Building

    Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua, Hawaii, recently began construction on a new, $16-million classroom building for its campus, according to a news release. The 13,000-square-foot building will stand two stories and connect the existing upper and lower campuses.