Key takeout
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bachelor’s degree holders can be about 66% more than high school graduates.
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The highest paying trends lie in the fields of agriculture, business, engineering and computer science.
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Disparities still exist based on age, race and gender. Few women, racial minorities and older workers.
This year’s university graduates are facing mixed revenue growth. National Colleges and Employers Associations (nace). However, the average university graduate salary forecast holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, business, and agriculture/natural resources.
Data shows that the university remains One of the best passes A job that is well paid. On average, bachelor’s degree holders increase by 66% over high school graduates. This may be one reason more than a third (35%) of US adults might consider taking part in their American dreams. Bankrate’s Affordable Home Survey Survey. However, university is expensive and not all careers are equally beneficial.
Important Insights: Graduate Salary at University
- According to an analysis of NACE data, the average US forecast starting salary for the 2025 class at the bachelor’s degree level is $68,680.
- Overall employment forecast for the 2025 class has increased by 7.3% from last year.
- The Engineering major will be the 2025 class of salary is $78,731, followed by the Computer Science major, which is expected to earn a salary of $76,251.
- The Agriculture and Natural Resources major has the highest forecast salary jump (2.8%), ranging from $61,399 in 2024 to $63,122 in 2025.
Careers that require higher skill and education levels pay far more than jobs that don’t. BLS data shows that people with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of 66% more per week than those with a high school diploma. On the other hand, those with a professional degree earn about 53% more than those with a bachelor’s degree holder.
A university degree is similar to an investment that allows you to pay dividends on knowledge, growth and employment opportunities, but it is not a guarantee either… Students need to proceed with caution on the issue of borrowing education expenses.
– Mark Hamrick, Senior Economic Analyst, Bankrate
Median revenue from achieving education
| Educational level | Median Weekly Revenue | Median annual sal |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | $2,278 | $118,456 |
| Professional degree | $2,363 | $122,876 |
| master’s degree | $1,840 | $95,680 |
| Bachelor’s degree | $1,543 | $80,236 |
| Associate degree | $1,099 | $57,148 |
| Some universities, no degrees | $1,020 | $53,040 |
| There are no high school diplomas or universities | $930 | $48,360 |
| Under high school diploma | $738 | $38,376 |
| sauce: US Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Average Salary Forecast for Class 2025
According to this year, the forecast was adopted as of January 2025. Nace. More than half (57.1%) of the US employers surveyed expect to stabilize the number of graduate graduates, while more than a quarter (27%) will increase employment. Compared to previous years, only a small percentage (15.9%) expect to see a reduction in employment.
Furthermore, according to NACE data, bachelor’s degree earners in the class of 2025 have a higher starting salary depending on the major. Agriculture and natural resources majors experience the highest salary jump, with a slightly predicted increase of 2.8%.
The humanities used to be the biggest increase at 28.9%, but are now dropped from the table. Engineering and computer science, as well as mathematics and science, are paid the best despite slight growth and declines. Social science and communication took the biggest dip for profit.
| Selection subject | Predictions for the start of 2025 | Changes from 2024 salary forecast |
|---|---|---|
| engineering | $78,731 | 2.6% |
| Computer Science | $76,251 | 2.0% |
| Mathematics and Science | $69,709 | -1.9% |
| Social Science | $67,316 | -3.6% |
| work | $65,276 | 2.1% |
| Agriculture and natural resources | $63,122 | 2.8% |
| communication | $60,353 | -3.0% |
| sauce: NACE Salary Survey |
Median value for university and high school alumni
On average, university graduates graduates graduate from high school. As mentioned above, university graduates are 66% more per week than high school graduates. Education is entirely important as high school graduates can earn more than $10,000 a year than non-graduates, according to the American Career Institute.
Each week, high school graduates earn a median of $930 compared to $1,543 for workers with a bachelor’s degree. According to BLS, the Bachelor’s degree graduates earn a median of $930. Those with a master’s degree earn a median weekly salary of $1,840, while those with a professional degree earn $2,363 each week. Each year, high school graduates earn a median salary of $48,360, while bachelor’s graduates earn a median salary of $80,236.
Median salary by age, gender, and race
Laws like the Equal Pay Act aim to reduce systemic inequality within the US job market. Despite these efforts, race and Gender wage gap It lasts. Women and minorities, especially Hispanic and black graduates, earn less than their peers.
“We know that gender pay gaps and racial wage gaps and their intersections are still characteristic of most of our labor market,” says Mary Gatta, director of research and public policy at NACE. “It’s important that students work hard to prepare for pay negotiations. Obviously, we must close the pay gap across employers’ race and gender and continue working through public policy.”
Even controlling for seasonal and part-time workforces, gaps exist. The following salary numbers are for full-time annual workers.
Median salary by age
Salaries usually increase with age and are experienced. Median salary tends to rise to age 44.
| year | Median annual sal |
|---|---|
| 20-24 | $41,184 |
| 25-34 | $58,500 |
| 35-44 | $69,264 |
| 45-54 | $71,552 |
| 55-64 | $67,704 |
| Over 65 years old | $63,544 |
| sauce: US Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Median salary by gender
On average, female graduates earn less than male graduates. The differences are $14,976 (27%) for associate graduates, $22,152 (27.3%) for bachelor’s graduates, and $29,016 (28.1%) for master’s degree graduates.
| Gender (ages over 25) | Median annual income for an associate’s degree or university | Median annual income for bachelor’s degree | Median annual revenue for advanced degrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| man | $62,868 | $92,040 | $117,572 |
| woman | $47,892 | $69,888 | $88,556 |
| sauce: US Department of Labor |
Median salaries by race and ethnicity
Racial pay gaps also persist in the US economy. White and Asian workers make much more money than black and Hispanic workers at all levels of education.
The gap is particularly large among Asians and Hispanic full-time workers with masters degrees and above. Asian workers earned a median income of $107,290, while Hispanic workers earned a median income of just $62,290. This is a 53% difference.
| Race/Ethnicity (ages 25-34) | Median median annual revenue | Median annual income for bachelor’s degree | Median annual income for Master’s degree or above |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | $52,170 | $81,420 | $107,290 |
| black | $46,950 | $56,030 | $68,970 |
| Hispanic | $45,770 | $57,100 | $62,290 |
| white | $50,930 | $70,250 | $78,700 |
| sauce: National Center for Educational Statistics |
Four Ways to Pay Up to Your University Debt After Graduate
College affordability remains a problem for millions of Americans, so when other aid is scarce, many will turn into student loans. In fact, 51% of undergraduates at universities are leaving the university. Student loan debt.
Bank Rate Money and Mental Health Survey Money has a negative impact on the mental health of nearly half of American adults (43%), causing problems such as increased stress, depression, sleep loss and anxiety. If you pay to borrow money from school, there are several ways to effectively manage your debts and avoid negatively affecting your life and finances.
Don’t start to start paying your student loan debt… Factors for savings and debt service First, build a lifestyle about what’s left.
– Greg McBride, Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst
Conclusion
Despite the declining trend in degree-based employment, median college graduates’ revenues still outperform high school graduates’ earnings. University alumni earn more than 50% of high school alumni.
The market still reflects age, race and gender disparities. If you need to fund your education costs, look into employer and state support. You may also be able to refinance your loan.