Top-paying jobs are in engineering

top bachelor degree majors
Most top-paying degrees are in engineering, according to National Association of Colleges and Employers.



Petroleum engineering majors are the highest paid, with starting salaries averaging $93,500, according to the association. That's at least $20,000 more than the average salary for computer engineers, who are the second-highest paid group on the list.


"Engineering majors are consistently among the highest paid because the demand for them is so great," said association executive director Marilyn Mackes, in a press release.

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President Obama has, at various times in his tenure, addressed the country's need for more engineers and engineering students to stimulate the U.S. economy. In his State of the Union address earlier this year, he said he wanted to "reward schools that develop partnerships with colleges and employers, and create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering and math - the skills today's employers are looking for to fill jobs right now and in the future."

There's definitely a need to improve the prospects of college-aged Americans. As a demographic they face a higher unemployment rate -- 13.3% -- compared to 7.6% for the general population. So are students answering the call for engineers?

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