Tech Majors Dominate Salary Projections for Class of 2025
As the job market continues to evolve in response to technological innovation and economic shifts, new data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reveals a sharp divergence in salary trajectories among college majors. The Winter 2025 Salary Survey shows that engineering and computer science graduates are poised to lead their peers in earning potential, while others in non-technical fields may face stagnant or declining starting wages.
STEM Majors Surge Ahead
According to the report, computer engineering majors are expected to command the highest median starting salary for the Class of 2025 at $82,565, closely followed by software engineering ($82,536) and computer science ($76,251). These numbers represent year-over-year increases of 6.5% for computer engineering and 5.8% for software engineering, underlining sustained demand for tech talent.
In fact, engineering disciplines dominate the top tiers of starting salary rankings, with an overall average increase of 2.6%, rising from $76,736 to $78,731 compared to the previous year.
This surge reflects ongoing employer demand for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) expertise amid a labor market shaped by digital transformation, data reliance, and emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity.
The Salary Divide Widens
While technical majors thrive, the landscape is less favorable for graduates in traditionally popular but non-technical disciplines. The report forecasts a 3.6% decline in starting salaries for social science majors, marking one of the steepest drops among academic fields. Communications—long a top 10 major by popularity—is also set to experience a contraction in projected earnings.
This growing gap in salary prospects underscores a fundamental shift in how employers value certain skill sets. “Social sciences sees a big drop because we’ve devalued the work of understanding people, ethics, and society,” said Driscoll, commenting on the trend. “Ironically, the very skills we desperately need in an age of polarization and automation.”
Making Education Count
With inflation and the cost of living on the rise, prospective students and their families are increasingly factoring return on investment (ROI) into college decision-making. Salary projections like those in the NACE report serve as critical tools for aligning educational choices with economic outcomes.
Yet, experts caution that earning potential isn’t the only factor to consider. Non-technical students may need to adapt by pursuing complementary certifications, graduate education, or interdisciplinary skills to remain competitive in a tight job market.
Implications for Higher Education
The data may spur colleges and universities to further prioritize career readiness and technical training within their curricula. This could mean expanded STEM offerings, increased internship opportunities, and stronger partnerships with industry to ensure graduates are job-ready.
Meanwhile, students in business, social sciences, and humanities might face mounting pressure to justify the long-term value of their degrees—especially if current salary trends persist.
The Class of 2025 faces a career landscape shaped by both opportunity and disparity. While computer science and engineering majors can expect robust starting salaries, students in non-technical fields may need to navigate a more complex path to career success. As the debate continues over how best to align higher education with labor market needs, the NACE report provides a clear signal: in today’s economy, technical skills pay off.
Origin Article: https://www.newsweek.com/list-college-majors-seeing-salaries-increase-report-2067394