Loading...
Career Outcomes by Major
Real Bureau of Labor Statistics wage and growth data for the careers most graduates of each major actually go into. Not the dream-job lottery, not the worst-case scare story, just the typical paths and what they pay.
Programming, algorithms, systems design, and increasingly machine learning.
Parent honest-take
Among the highest-earning bachelor's degrees. Entry-level pay varies dramatically: Big Tech and quant trading firms recruit aggressively from a narrow set of schools, while non-tech employers pay closer to the BLS 25th percentile.
Typical pay across 6 careers
Range of BLS median wages across this major's primary and common careers. Individual pay depends on employer, location, and seniority.
The most direct, common destinations for this major.
SOC 15-1252
Designs and builds applications, websites, and systems.
Median pay
$132,270
Entry / 25th
$100,170
Top 10%
$208,620
Reality check: Compensation varies wildly by employer. Big Tech early-career total comp can exceed median; non-tech-firm devs land near the entry quartile.
SOC 15-1212
Protects an organization's computer networks and systems.
Median pay
$124,910
Entry / 25th
$95,110
Top 10%
$182,370
Reality check: Among the fastest-growing white-collar roles in the country.
SOC 15-2051
Builds models that turn data into business decisions.
Median pay
$108,020
Entry / 25th
$80,250
Top 10%
$184,090
Reality check: Many data-science roles increasingly require a master's; bachelor's-only candidates often start as analysts.
Frequent landing spots, often through related skills or grad school.
SOC 15-1241
Designs corporate data communication networks.
Median pay
$130,390
Entry / 25th
$99,000
Top 10%
$195,910
SOC 13-1111
Analyzes business problems and recommends operational improvements.
Median pay
$99,410
Entry / 25th
$71,810
Top 10%
$167,650
Reality check: MBB / Big-3 firms recruit from a narrow set of schools; their first-year compensation runs ~50% above BLS median.
SOC 15-1244
Keeps an organization's network and servers running.
Median pay
$95,360
Entry / 25th
$73,420
Top 10%
$138,590
Career destinations many parents don't think to consider.
SOC 23-1011
Advises clients and represents them in legal matters.
Median pay
$148,030
Entry / 25th
$92,790
Top 10%
$239,200
Reality check: Bimodal pay: BigLaw first-years start at $225K; the rest of the field starts $60-80K. Law school cost makes the math brutal outside the top tier.
SOC 15-2011
Analyzes financial risk using statistics and probability.
Median pay
$120,000
Entry / 25th
$87,780
Top 10%
$213,970
Reality check: 10-exam credentialing process. Pay tracks exam progress closely; junior actuaries advance fast if they pass exams quickly.
SOC 15-2031
Uses analytics to help organizations make better decisions.
Median pay
$83,640
Entry / 25th
$60,510
Top 10%
$156,400