Graduates from California colleges who major in math and science fields, such as engineering and computer science, can expect to earn the highest annual incomes, reaching up to $140,000, a new study by the HEA Group revealed.
The report, which analyzed federal earnings data for over 276,000 graduates from 386 California institutions across more than 200 fields of study, found that nursing degrees also place graduates among top earners, with annual incomes around $125,000. The healthcare sector has shown consistent hiring amid a challenging labor market.
In contrast, graduates with degrees in humanities, arts, and social sciences, including fields like theater, music, dance, and fine arts, reported the lowest annual salaries, ranging between $40,000 and $60,000.
Graduates in business administration and urban studies earned approximately $70,000 per year, according to the study. The analysis highlighted that a college degree continues to hold economic value, as typical high school graduates in California earn about $36,082 annually. Associate degree holders earned roughly $24,000 more than high school graduates, while bachelor's degree holders earned about $35,000 more.
Michael Itzkowitz, president of the HEA Group, cautioned against pursuing specific degrees solely for financial gain. "The outcomes in this report aren’t meant to rank one major against another," he stated. "A degree in social work and a degree in computer science exist for different reasons, and both carry societal value beyond pure economics."
The study also noted a trend where recent U.S. college graduates earned 50% more than their peers with only high school diplomas in 2025, a decrease from the 69% premium observed in 2015. This shift in economic return on investment for higher education comes as public perception of its value wavers, with a recent survey indicating that only 33% of students believe college is worth the cost, while 29% disagree. The increasing prominence of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the job market is also cited as a factor influencing this sentiment.