Which college majors have the highest ROI?

According to Georgetown CEW research, STEM fields — particularly petroleum engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics — deliver the highest lifetime earnings premiums. The College Scorecard shows median early-career earnings above $70,000 for many CS and engineering programmes at top schools.

Which majors have the lowest ROI?

Fine arts, social work, early childhood education, and some humanities majors tend to have the lowest 20-year financial ROI relative to debt burden. However, non-financial values (fulfilment, social impact) and graduate school pathways (law, medicine) can substantially change long-term outcomes for these fields.

College ROI by Free Online Calculator and Tools

How It Works

Compare the financial return on investment by college major, using median earnings data from the US Census Bureau and the College Scorecard to estimate 20-year ROI

Each component has a specific meaning:

Median earnings data from the US Census Bureau — The median earnings data from the us census bureau recorded for the scenario being assessed.
College Scorecard — The college scorecard recorded for the scenario being assessed.

Note: Interpret the college roi by major result against the thresholds and context described above.

How to Use

Enter the median earnings data from the US Census Bureau, College Scorecard for the scenario you are assessing. Compare the financial return on investment by college major, using median earnings data from the US Census Bureau and the College Scorecard to estimate 20-year ROI. Use the college roi by major result to inform your calculation.

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