Data story · 9 of 9

    Majors with the fastest payback: four years of net price against graduates' earnings

    For every bachelor's program at a four-year college that reports earnings, four years at the college's average net price divided by what the program's graduates earn four years after finishing, grouped by major.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition · Source: College Scorecard and IPEDS, reporting year 2025 · 23,320 programs · Updated November 15, 2026

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    Median payback

    1.19 years

    Four years of net price divided by one year of graduates' earnings, for the median program.

    College Scorecard, data year 2025

    Key findings

    Median earnings
    $59,565
    Four years after completing the bachelor's degree.
    Under one year
    8,379
    Programs that cost less over four years than graduates earn in one (36%).
    Programs
    23,320
    At 1,338 four-year colleges.

    1. Across 23,320 bachelor's programs at 1,338 four-year colleges, four years at the college's average net price cost 1.19 years of graduates' median earnings four years after finishing, for the median program ($17,623 a year against $59,565).

      Best colleges by major

    2. The fastest majors are computer engineering (0.62 years, 164 programs), construction engineering technology/technician (0.64 years, 40 programs) and statistics (0.67 years, 44 programs).

      Earnings vs debt by major

    3. The slowest are drama/theatre arts and stagecraft (1.82 years, 239 programs), film/video and photographic arts (1.81 years, 121 programs) and human services, general (1.80 years, 76 programs).

      Pay and outlook by career

    4. By broad field, engineering/engineering-related technologies/technicians pays back fastest (0.72 years) and theology and religious vocations slowest (2.18 years).

      Estimate one college's net price

    5. 8,379 programs (36%) cost less over four years than their graduates earn in one year.

    Every field of study

    Field families (2-digit CIP) with at least 30 reporting programs, fastest payback first.

    Years of graduates' earnings to cover four years of net price

    Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
    0.72 years
    $83,405 earnings · $15,142 net price · 319 programs
    Engineering
    0.75 years
    $93,948 earnings · $17,362 net price · 1,608 programs
    Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
    0.79 years
    $90,016 earnings · $17,362 net price · 944 programs
    Transportation and Materials Moving
    0.79 years
    $83,574 earnings · $17,558 net price · 53 programs
    Mathematics and Statistics
    0.94 years
    $74,071 earnings · $17,265 net price · 379 programs
    Health Professions and Related Programs
    1.01 years
    $71,310 earnings · $17,330 net price · 2,047 programs
    Physical Sciences
    1.01 years
    $66,845 earnings · $16,793 net price · 432 programs
    Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
    1.08 years
    $69,728 earnings · $18,533 net price · 3,724 programs
    Architecture and Related Services
    1.12 years
    $65,469 earnings · $18,375 net price · 145 programs
    Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
    1.19 years
    $54,984 earnings · $17,110 net price · 323 programs
    Legal Professions and Studies
    1.19 years
    $59,715 earnings · $17,201 net price · 65 programs
    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
    1.23 years
    $55,665 earnings · $17,069 net price · 625 programs
    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
    1.23 years
    $56,181 earnings · $17,385 net price · 508 programs
    Philosophy and Religious Studies
    1.23 years
    $53,390 earnings · $17,125 net price · 109 programs
    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
    1.25 years
    $54,798 earnings · $16,600 net price · 161 programs
    Social Sciences
    1.26 years
    $58,577 earnings · $18,131 net price · 1,954 programs
    Biological and Biomedical Sciences
    1.26 years
    $58,716 earnings · $18,061 net price · 1,235 programs
    Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
    1.28 years
    $51,919 earnings · $16,660 net price · 412 programs
    Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
    1.28 years
    $50,427 earnings · $16,660 net price · 303 programs
    Public Administration and Social Service Professions
    1.29 years
    $52,476 earnings · $17,069 net price · 576 programs
    Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    1.30 years
    $54,332 earnings · $17,269 net price · 350 programs
    History
    1.33 years
    $50,514 earnings · $16,819 net price · 432 programs
    Natural Resources and Conservation
    1.39 years
    $53,861 earnings · $18,095 net price · 348 programs
    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
    1.40 years
    $52,482 earnings · $18,287 net price · 675 programs
    Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
    1.41 years
    $54,717 earnings · $18,554 net price · 1,073 programs
    Education
    1.45 years
    $49,147 earnings · $17,601 net price · 1,218 programs
    English Language and Literature/Letters
    1.53 years
    $48,475 earnings · $17,900 net price · 678 programs
    Psychology
    1.55 years
    $50,786 earnings · $19,435 net price · 1,062 programs
    Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
    1.59 years
    $46,022 earnings · $18,258 net price · 65 programs
    Visual and Performing Arts
    1.61 years
    $43,584 earnings · $17,362 net price · 1,379 programs
    Theology and Religious Vocations
    2.18 years
    $45,693 earnings · $24,881 net price · 70 programs
    Median across bachelor's programs at public and private nonprofit four-year colleges; the note under each field is its median earnings, net price and program count. 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. Each major links to its program page; see the best colleges by major for the colleges behind the figures.

    Payback in years of earnings by major. Select a column heading to sort.
    Computer EngineeringEngineering164$105,681$16,7040.62 years
    Construction Engineering Technology/TechnicianEngineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians40$92,167$14,7410.64 years
    StatisticsMathematics and Statistics44$92,112$16,7650.67 years
    Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringEngineering236$99,399$16,8040.68 years
    Construction ManagementBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services53$92,971$16,3250.70 years
    Computer ScienceComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services318$100,271$18,0910.71 years
    Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansEngineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians56$81,512$15,0180.73 years
    Industrial EngineeringEngineering81$95,835$18,0200.74 years
    Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringEngineering57$96,510$17,3300.75 years
    Engineering Technologies/Technicians, GeneralEngineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians31$78,801$15,5540.75 years
    Chemical EngineeringEngineering145$97,324$18,1310.76 years
    Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services377$86,613$16,8010.77 years
    Mechanical EngineeringEngineering295$91,229$17,4990.77 years
    Air TransportationTransportation and Materials Moving47$81,394$17,3180.79 years
    Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansEngineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians46$81,504$14,9260.79 years
    Civil EngineeringEngineering214$85,239$17,1750.81 years
    Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs77$74,731$15,7320.82 years
    Management Information Systems and ServicesBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services135$81,310$16,6280.83 years
    Information Science/StudiesComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services96$79,860$16,3940.83 years
    Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingHealth Professions and Related Programs734$84,760$18,1250.85 years
    Applied MathematicsMathematics and Statistics40$86,194$17,4010.86 years
    Biomedical/Medical EngineeringEngineering110$93,619$18,7820.87 years
    PhysicsPhysical Sciences96$79,592$17,0520.88 years
    Computer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services63$85,477$18,5490.88 years
    Environmental/Environmental Health EngineeringEngineering40$80,713$17,2670.88 years
    Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services105$87,394$19,7580.90 years
    Business/Managerial EconomicsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services77$80,165$17,2690.91 years
    Dental Support Services and Allied ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs56$67,973$14,6130.93 years
    Public AdministrationPublic Administration and Social Service Professions43$62,424$14,1570.94 years
    Finance and Financial Management ServicesBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services410$77,416$18,0060.96 years
    Microbiological Sciences and ImmunologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences45$66,222$16,0030.99 years
    MathematicsMathematics and Statistics287$70,681$17,2651.00 years
    ChemistryPhysical Sciences192$66,628$16,5481.00 years
    Engineering, GeneralEngineering48$87,280$21,9611.00 years
    Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs188$68,423$17,4021.01 years
    International BusinessBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services104$74,157$18,3551.01 years
    Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences107$65,072$16,6001.02 years
    ArchitectureArchitecture and Related Services66$66,981$17,7111.03 years
    Accounting and Related ServicesBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services689$74,103$19,2861.04 years
    EconomicsSocial Sciences351$79,428$19,9801.05 years
    Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesBiological and Biomedical Sciences30$66,906$17,1981.05 years
    Agricultural Business and ManagementAgricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields69$65,312$16,6001.06 years
    Public Policy AnalysisPublic Administration and Social Service Professions30$71,723$18,5081.06 years
    Health and Medical Administrative ServicesHealth Professions and Related Programs181$60,419$17,0751.08 years
    PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religious Studies81$56,786$16,4861.09 years
    Human Resources Management and ServicesBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services150$67,731$18,2251.10 years
    Agriculture, GeneralAgricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields38$52,837$15,2651.11 years
    MarketingBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services469$66,714$18,7601.12 years
    Business/Commerce, GeneralBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services198$64,239$18,1721.13 years
    Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesPhysical Sciences121$59,969$16,8071.14 years
    Apparel and TextilesFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences46$57,154$17,0751.14 years
    Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesHealth Professions and Related Programs65$55,946$15,6361.15 years
    Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesHealth Professions and Related Programs200$59,066$16,6441.16 years
    ForestryNatural Resources and Conservation30$58,575$17,6751.16 years
    Geography and CartographySocial Sciences105$57,825$16,6281.17 years
    Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesArea, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies96$51,680$15,6791.17 years
    Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, OtherHealth Professions and Related Programs54$64,013$20,3151.17 years
    Foods, Nutrition, and Related ServicesFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences45$55,633$16,4231.17 years
    Nutrition SciencesMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies44$59,962$17,3461.17 years
    Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, OtherBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services33$71,185$18,9101.17 years
    Research and Experimental PsychologyPsychology71$56,282$16,7761.18 years
    Business Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services1,002$64,798$19,5101.20 years
    Public HealthHealth Professions and Related Programs173$58,860$17,1921.20 years
    Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralHealth Professions and Related Programs135$59,961$17,2701.21 years
    Hospitality Administration/ManagementBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services123$56,252$16,8011.24 years
    Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesForeign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics86$51,171$16,2321.24 years
    Criminal Justice and CorrectionsHomeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services535$54,649$17,0451.25 years
    Computer Software and Media ApplicationsComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services34$60,988$20,3821.25 years
    Social Sciences, OtherSocial Sciences33$54,363$15,6651.26 years
    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies184$54,530$17,3001.27 years
    Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities412$51,919$16,6601.28 years
    Plant SciencesAgricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields41$56,265$18,0201.28 years
    Social WorkPublic Administration and Social Service Professions402$51,969$16,7311.29 years
    Entrepreneurial and Small Business OperationsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services62$63,387$18,8381.29 years
    Security Science and TechnologyHomeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services38$57,773$18,2401.29 years
    Political Science and GovernmentSocial Sciences534$61,877$19,2891.30 years
    Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsForeign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics210$56,189$17,9431.30 years
    Neurobiology and NeurosciencesBiological and Biomedical Sciences64$61,497$20,1201.30 years
    Biology, GeneralBiological and Biomedical Sciences798$57,713$18,4951.31 years
    Social Sciences, GeneralSocial Sciences76$52,308$17,3371.32 years
    Physiology, Pathology and Related SciencesBiological and Biomedical Sciences54$60,878$21,9861.32 years
    Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, GeneralFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences44$45,475$14,9911.32 years
    HistoryHistory432$50,514$16,8191.33 years
    Parks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesParks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology55$50,832$16,8801.33 years
    Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing OperationsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services34$56,703$18,7491.33 years
    Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCommunication, Journalism, and Related Programs161$62,140$20,5501.34 years
    Area StudiesArea, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies65$58,232$18,5541.34 years
    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasEducation328$50,819$17,1631.35 years
    Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences139$47,874$16,6281.35 years
    Special Education and TeachingEducation157$51,258$17,2651.36 years
    CriminologySocial Sciences108$56,409$18,7981.36 years
    International/Globalization StudiesMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies86$56,517$18,1941.36 years
    Animal SciencesAgricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields70$49,646$17,0921.36 years
    Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs36$51,857$17,4121.36 years
    SociologySocial Sciences433$52,197$17,2241.38 years
    AnthropologySocial Sciences170$46,328$16,4061.38 years
    JournalismCommunication, Journalism, and Related Programs167$54,360$17,8501.38 years
    International Relations and National Security StudiesSocial Sciences109$66,180$23,5501.38 years
    Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsHealth Professions and Related Programs74$54,703$17,5081.38 years
    Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities ManagementParks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology48$49,524$16,6841.40 years
    Communication and Media StudiesCommunication, Journalism, and Related Programs594$53,896$18,4511.41 years
    Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessParks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology567$53,112$18,9271.41 years
    Design and Applied ArtsVisual and Performing Arts244$53,981$18,2411.42 years
    Health/Medical Preparatory ProgramsHealth Professions and Related Programs39$62,343$20,2941.42 years
    Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchNatural Resources and Conservation245$54,657$18,8681.43 years
    Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies60$50,082$17,8871.44 years
    Wildlife and Wildlands Science and ManagementNatural Resources and Conservation36$45,397$16,3581.44 years
    Graphic CommunicationsCommunications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services41$44,116$17,3951.45 years
    Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences57$50,010$18,3751.47 years
    Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationCommunication, Journalism, and Related Programs135$49,359$18,0421.48 years
    English Language and Literature, GeneralEnglish Language and Literature/Letters541$48,877$17,5581.50 years
    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsEducation623$47,823$18,1771.55 years
    Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesEnglish Language and Literature/Letters121$47,141$18,7601.55 years
    Psychology, GeneralPsychology926$50,357$19,6901.57 years
    Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementVisual and Performing Arts40$49,176$19,1031.58 years
    Fine and Studio ArtsVisual and Performing Arts381$41,997$16,6001.59 years
    MusicVisual and Performing Arts238$43,765$17,1181.60 years
    Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralVisual and Performing Arts51$41,097$17,5331.61 years
    DanceVisual and Performing Arts55$40,892$17,3151.62 years
    Education, GeneralEducation62$49,871$20,7691.64 years
    Clinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyPsychology56$52,569$20,8731.67 years
    Zoology/Animal BiologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences40$42,694$18,1941.67 years
    Human Services, GeneralPublic Administration and Social Service Professions76$48,418$20,0411.80 years
    Film/Video and Photographic ArtsVisual and Performing Arts121$46,073$20,3191.81 years
    Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftVisual and Performing Arts239$40,033$17,9091.82 years
    All reported programs23,320$59,565$17,6231.19 years

    Swipe the table sideways for more columns.

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    Methodology

    Programs counted
    Bachelor's programs (College Scorecard field of study, credential level 3) at public and private nonprofit colleges published on CollegesRef in a four-year Carnegie class in the 50 states or D.C., with at least 500 undergraduates, that report median earnings four years after completion.
    Exclusions
    For-profit colleges, programs below the bachelor's level and programs where the Scorecard suppresses earnings (usually small cohorts) are left out.
    3 more notes: reporting threshold, payback, medians
    Reporting threshold
    A field family (2-digit CIP) and a major (4-digit CIP) each need at least 30 reporting programs; smaller groups are not reported but count in the national figures.
    Payback
    Four times the college's average net price (NPT4) divided by the program's median earnings four years after completion. The Scorecard does not report net price by major, so every program at a college shares its price; differences between majors come from earnings and from which colleges offer them.
    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 a payback of one year mean?

    Four years at the college's average net price equal one year of the program's median earnings four years after graduating. The median bachelor's program is at 1.19 years.

    Why use the college's net price for every major?

    Federal data reports net price for the whole college, not by major. Using the same price for every program at a college makes the comparison about what graduates of each major earn.

    Are these starting salaries?

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

    How to cite

    Free to use with credit to CollegesRef. The CSV above carries every figure on this page. Questions go to our contact page.

    Related guides and tools

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

    All data stories
      • Cost
      • By state

      The sticker-to-net-price gap by state

      $17,700Median gap

      Lowest $5,210MontanaHighest $40,833Vermont
      • Cost
      • Financial aid
      • By state

      The middle-income squeeze: what families earning $75,000 to $110,000 pay over the bracket below

      $3,809Median jump

      Lowest $1,414MississippiHighest $7,705Vermont
      • Cost
      • Financial aid
      • By state

      Four-year colleges where families earning under $30,000 pay less than $5,000 a year

      79Colleges under $5,000

      Lowest 022 statesHighest 12Florida
      • Outcomes
      • By state

      How many years of earnings it takes to pay for a four-year degree, by state

      1.31 yearsMedian payback

      Lowest 0.61 yearsNew MexicoHighest 1.97 yearsRhode Island
      • Debt
      • Outcomes
      • By state

      Graduate debt vs earnings: where borrowing is heaviest relative to pay

      36%Debt as share of pay

      Lowest 23%CaliforniaHighest 49%Alabama
      • Debt
      • Outcomes
      • By major

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

      3.14×Median ratio

      Lowest 2.11×Visual and Performing ArtsHighest 4.58×Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
      • Value
      • Outcomes
      • By state

      The best-value college in every state

      3.03×Median ratio

      Lowest 3.37×VermontHighest 26.23×California
      • Cost
      • Financial aid
      • Outcomes
      • By state

      What low-income students pay against what graduates earn, by state

      1.01 yearsMedian payback

      Lowest 0.60 yearsMarylandHighest 1.35 years3 states