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.