Data story

    Which majors pay back best at public colleges: earnings against debt by field of study

    For every bachelor's program at a public four-year college that reports both, graduates' median earnings four years after finishing divided by their median federal loan debt, grouped by field of study.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition · Source: College Scorecard and IPEDS, reporting year 2025 · 11,816 programs · Updated November 15, 2026

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    At a glance

    Median ratio
    3.14×
    Earnings four years out divided by debt, for the median program.
    Median earnings
    $58,454
    Four years after completing the bachelor's degree.
    Median debt
    $19,500
    Federal loans borrowed by graduates of the program.
    Programs
    11,816
    At 548 public four-year colleges.

    College Scorecard, data year 2025

    Key findings

    1. Across 11,816 bachelor's programs at 548 public four-year colleges, the median program's graduates earn 3.14 times their median federal loan debt four years after graduating ($58,454 against $19,500).

    2. The best-paying fields of study relative to debt are computer and information sciences and support services (4.58 times, 488 programs) and engineering (4.56 times, 1,000 programs).

    3. The lowest are visual and performing arts (2.11 times, 734 programs) and education (2.36 times, 614 programs).

    4. Among 108 majors with at least 20 reporting programs, Statistics ranks first at 5.59 times and Visual and Performing Arts, General last at 1.83 times.

    See every field

    Highest and lowest earnings-to-debt, by field

    Highest

    Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
    4.58×
    $90,070 earnings · $19,500 debt · 488 programs
    Engineering
    4.56×
    $93,886 earnings · $20,500 debt · 1,000 programs
    Mathematics and Statistics
    4.24×
    $72,843 earnings · $18,337 debt · 184 programs
    Transportation and Materials Moving
    4.20×
    $85,654 earnings · $20,500 debt · 34 programs
    Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
    4.02×
    $83,435 earnings · $21,338 debt · 176 programs

    Lowest

    Visual and Performing Arts
    2.11×
    $43,275 earnings · $21,141 debt · 734 programs
    Education
    2.36×
    $49,202 earnings · $20,608 debt · 614 programs
    English Language and Literature/Letters
    2.48×
    $47,753 earnings · $19,500 debt · 335 programs
    Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
    2.51×
    $50,949 earnings · $20,250 debt · 235 programs
    Public Administration and Social Service Professions
    2.51×
    $52,451 earnings · $20,500 debt · 322 programs
    Median across bachelor's programs at public colleges. College Scorecard, data year 2025.

    Every field of study

    Field families (2-digit CIP) with at least 30 reporting programs, ranked by the median program's earnings-to-debt ratio.

    Earnings four years after graduating, divided by federal loan debt

    Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
    4.58×
    $90,070 earnings · $19,500 debt · 488 programs
    Engineering
    4.56×
    $93,886 earnings · $20,500 debt · 1,000 programs
    Mathematics and Statistics
    4.24×
    $72,843 earnings · $18,337 debt · 184 programs
    Transportation and Materials Moving
    4.20×
    $85,654 earnings · $20,500 debt · 34 programs
    Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
    4.02×
    $83,435 earnings · $21,338 debt · 176 programs
    Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
    3.67×
    $69,210 earnings · $19,450 debt · 1,675 programs
    Health Professions and Related Programs
    3.54×
    $67,676 earnings · $19,500 debt · 1,048 programs
    Physical Sciences
    3.43×
    $67,324 earnings · $19,443 debt · 218 programs
    Philosophy and Religious Studies
    3.14×
    $58,891 earnings · $18,000 debt · 39 programs
    Biological and Biomedical Sciences
    3.03×
    $58,119 earnings · $19,500 debt · 684 programs
    Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    3.03×
    $54,298 earnings · $18,702 debt · 136 programs
    Social Sciences
    3.02×
    $56,457 earnings · $19,249 debt · 917 programs
    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
    3.01×
    $57,116 earnings · $18,750 debt · 259 programs
    Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
    3.01×
    $53,934 earnings · $18,869 debt · 211 programs
    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
    2.98×
    $54,428 earnings · $17,923 debt · 72 programs
    Architecture and Related Services
    2.92×
    $65,146 earnings · $21,500 debt · 88 programs
    Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
    2.80×
    $54,378 earnings · $19,500 debt · 542 programs
    Natural Resources and Conservation
    2.79×
    $53,886 earnings · $19,109 debt · 202 programs
    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
    2.78×
    $54,633 earnings · $20,176 debt · 310 programs
    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
    2.75×
    $53,313 earnings · $19,500 debt · 316 programs
    History
    2.57×
    $50,386 earnings · $19,500 debt · 250 programs
    Psychology
    2.56×
    $49,569 earnings · $19,500 debt · 464 programs
    Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
    2.53×
    $50,921 earnings · $20,219 debt · 189 programs
    Public Administration and Social Service Professions
    2.51×
    $52,451 earnings · $20,500 debt · 322 programs
    Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
    2.51×
    $50,949 earnings · $20,250 debt · 235 programs
    English Language and Literature/Letters
    2.48×
    $47,753 earnings · $19,500 debt · 335 programs
    Education
    2.36×
    $49,202 earnings · $20,608 debt · 614 programs
    Visual and Performing Arts
    2.11×
    $43,275 earnings · $21,141 debt · 734 programs
    Median across bachelor's programs at public four-year colleges; the note under each field is its median earnings and debt. College Scorecard, data year 2025.

    Every major

    Select a column heading to sort. Majors are 4-digit CIP fields with enough reporting programs; each figure is the median across programs.

    Earnings-to-debt ratio by major at public colleges. Select a column heading to sort.
    StatisticsMathematics and Statistics25$88,033$17,1655.59×
    Computer EngineeringEngineering105$105,920$20,4895.41×
    Industrial EngineeringEngineering50$95,877$20,2865.09×
    Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services48$91,881$18,6245.06×
    Applied MathematicsMathematics and Statistics21$92,803$18,7505.04×
    Computer ScienceComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services155$99,067$18,7504.98×
    Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringEngineering45$96,090$20,7604.82×
    Biomedical/Medical EngineeringEngineering65$92,974$19,5004.79×
    Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringEngineering154$99,421$20,9254.77×
    Construction ManagementBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services35$92,971$19,5004.70×
    Construction Engineering Technology/TechnicianEngineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians30$94,298$20,4954.64×
    Chemical EngineeringEngineering98$97,009$21,0004.54×
    Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services213$88,915$19,5004.52×
    Mechanical EngineeringEngineering196$90,461$20,3524.45×
    EconomicsSocial Sciences130$75,590$17,6174.44×
    Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingHealth Professions and Related Programs353$84,557$18,8744.40×
    PhysicsPhysical Sciences46$77,719$18,6494.27×
    Management Information Systems and ServicesBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services71$83,227$19,8754.26×
    Business/Managerial EconomicsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services28$76,121$19,0944.21×
    Civil EngineeringEngineering152$84,784$20,0604.19×
    Computer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services28$85,876$20,7884.19×
    Finance and Financial Management ServicesBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services217$74,852$18,5004.16×
    Information Science/StudiesComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services57$81,117$19,5004.13×
    Agricultural Business and ManagementAgricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields42$65,961$15,4474.11×
    Air TransportationTransportation and Materials Moving28$80,909$20,4384.09×
    Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansEngineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians27$82,740$20,0004.08×
    MathematicsMathematics and Statistics137$69,787$18,4874.07×
    Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs43$75,261$19,5003.95×
    Accounting and Related ServicesBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services285$73,476$19,4013.91×
    Environmental/Environmental Health EngineeringEngineering24$81,766$20,7503.89×
    Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansEngineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians33$81,259$21,5003.88×
    International BusinessBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services38$71,272$18,3753.84×
    Engineering Technologies/Technicians, GeneralEngineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians28$78,736$21,5033.69×
    ChemistryPhysical Sciences109$66,486$19,5003.63×
    Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences80$65,778$19,3953.62×
    International/Globalization StudiesMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies38$59,806$16,7353.61×
    Dental Support Services and Allied ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs39$66,034$18,0863.55×
    International Relations and National Security StudiesSocial Sciences33$64,715$18,5003.51×
    Human Resources Management and ServicesBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services58$67,322$19,6223.46×
    MarketingBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services239$65,857$19,2503.45×
    Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs72$70,088$20,3333.38×
    Business Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services427$64,086$19,5003.37×
    Microbiological Sciences and ImmunologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences35$65,861$20,0003.36×
    ForestryNatural Resources and Conservation22$58,575$18,6883.24×
    Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsForeign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics71$55,614$17,5893.20×
    Political Science and GovernmentSocial Sciences266$59,679$19,0003.19×
    Business/Commerce, GeneralBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services93$63,425$19,5003.17×
    Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesHealth Professions and Related Programs147$57,932$19,2183.15×
    PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religious Studies36$58,891$17,0803.15×
    Nutrition SciencesMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies32$60,817$19,3753.14×
    Neurobiology and NeurosciencesBiological and Biomedical Sciences33$59,009$19,5003.09×
    Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, OtherHealth Professions and Related Programs21$62,718$19,6253.08×
    Geography and CartographySocial Sciences34$58,067$19,4263.07×
    Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralHealth Professions and Related Programs71$56,452$18,6253.04×
    Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCommunication, Journalism, and Related Programs70$62,414$19,5003.02×
    Physiology, Pathology and Related SciencesBiological and Biomedical Sciences29$58,593$19,5003.01×
    Plant SciencesAgricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields30$54,950$19,0002.98×
    Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesPhysical Sciences54$59,905$19,5382.96×
    Hospitality Administration/ManagementBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services64$56,901$19,2002.95×
    Research and Experimental PsychologyPsychology33$52,170$17,7502.95×
    Social Sciences, GeneralSocial Sciences32$52,541$19,3332.94×
    Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchNatural Resources and Conservation131$55,336$18,7502.93×
    Biology, GeneralBiological and Biomedical Sciences400$56,675$19,5002.92×
    ArchitectureArchitecture and Related Services39$65,148$22,0002.92×
    Public HealthHealth Professions and Related Programs109$57,296$20,5002.90×
    Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesForeign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics50$51,171$19,0252.84×
    Apparel and TextilesFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences33$57,576$20,5002.84×
    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies100$54,866$18,9982.83×
    Agriculture, GeneralAgricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields24$52,034$19,1522.83×
    Communication and Media StudiesCommunication, Journalism, and Related Programs298$54,184$19,5002.81×
    Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessParks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology257$53,707$19,5002.81×
    JournalismCommunication, Journalism, and Related Programs101$53,997$19,2502.80×
    Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesHealth Professions and Related Programs27$56,183$20,2502.79×
    Health and Medical Administrative ServicesHealth Professions and Related Programs81$57,722$22,0002.76×
    Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences34$51,031$19,3512.76×
    Parks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesParks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology30$53,255$19,1072.76×
    Criminal Justice and CorrectionsHomeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services272$53,758$20,1452.74×
    Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesArea, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies53$53,319$19,5002.69×
    Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs31$52,613$21,5002.69×
    CriminologySocial Sciences54$54,584$20,0852.68×
    Education, GeneralEducation23$50,946$18,1722.68×
    SociologySocial Sciences235$51,527$19,5002.66×
    Human Services, GeneralPublic Administration and Social Service Professions23$51,220$18,5002.66×
    Design and Applied ArtsVisual and Performing Arts110$55,532$21,2502.63×
    Animal SciencesAgricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields65$49,999$19,5002.63×
    HistoryHistory250$50,386$19,5002.57×
    Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesEnglish Language and Literature/Letters46$50,484$20,5322.57×
    Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies26$49,552$20,6482.56×
    Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs21$52,243$21,5322.52×
    Psychology, GeneralPsychology412$49,323$19,5002.51×
    Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities235$50,949$20,2502.51×
    Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences92$49,020$19,7642.51×
    Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationCommunication, Journalism, and Related Programs67$48,390$19,5002.50×
    English Language and Literature, GeneralEnglish Language and Literature/Letters280$47,660$19,4032.46×
    Social WorkPublic Administration and Social Service Professions254$51,290$21,0292.46×
    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasEducation181$51,403$20,9482.42×
    AnthropologySocial Sciences102$45,737$19,5002.38×
    Special Education and TeachingEducation78$50,625$21,8552.37×
    Wildlife and Wildlands Science and ManagementNatural Resources and Conservation27$45,502$20,0002.37×
    Zoology/Animal BiologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences29$43,434$20,5002.33×
    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsEducation311$47,767$20,5002.32×
    Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities ManagementParks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology27$49,799$20,0002.32×
    Film/Video and Photographic ArtsVisual and Performing Arts62$44,608$19,9992.31×
    Fine and Studio ArtsVisual and Performing Arts247$41,997$20,5002.05×
    MusicVisual and Performing Arts138$44,752$21,8982.05×
    Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, GeneralFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences25$46,136$23,2181.95×
    Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftVisual and Performing Arts109$40,118$21,5001.88×
    Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralVisual and Performing Arts34$41,113$21,8751.83×
    All reported programs11,816$58,454$19,5003.14×

    Methodology

    Programs counted
    Bachelor's programs (College Scorecard field of study, credential level 3) at public colleges published on CollegesRef in a four-year Carnegie class in the 50 states or D.C., with at least 500 undergraduates, that report both median earnings and median debt.
    Exclusions
    Private colleges, programs below the bachelor's level and programs where the Scorecard suppresses earnings or debt (usually small cohorts) are left out.
    Reporting threshold
    A field family (2-digit CIP) needs at least 30 reporting programs and a major (4-digit CIP) at least 20; smaller groups are not reported but count in the national figures.
    Ratio
    Median earnings of graduates four years after completion (earnings.4_yr.overall_median_earnings) divided by median federal loan debt at graduation (debt.staff_grad_plus.all.eval_inst.median) for the same program.
    Medians
    Each group figure is the median across its programs, not weighted by graduates.

    Read the CollegesRef methodology for how college data is checked, or browse all data stories.

    Sources

    Data
    U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which reports these figures from the IPEDS surveys and federal student aid records; Carnegie classes from IPEDS.
    Edition
    2026–27, data verified Nov 2026
    Source reporting year
    2025
    Snapshot
    November 15, 2026
    Licence
    Federal data is a U.S. government work in the public domain. Please credit CollegesRef for this analysis.
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    Frequently asked questions

    Short answers about how the numbers work.

    What does an earnings-to-debt ratio of 3 mean?

    Graduates earn three times their typical federal loan balance in a year, four years after finishing. The median public bachelor's program is at 3.14×.

    Why only public colleges?

    Debt depends heavily on price, and public colleges price similarly within a state. Keeping to one sector makes the comparison about the field of study rather than private tuition.

    Are these starting salaries?

    No. They are median earnings four years after completing the degree, for graduates who received federal aid, before tax.

    Related guides and tools

    Step-by-step explanations of the figures, written from the same federal data.

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