Less Affluent Alumni
For many students, graduating from college means getting a shot at a full-time job and long-lasting career. But some careers come with low pay, although they can bring satisfaction in other ways, such as allowing graduates to help families in need or share important news with a large audience.
Using data from PayScale, here are the 10 college majors where graduates whose highest degree is a bachelor’s and who have zero to five years of postgraduation work experience have the lowest median salaries. Also included for each major is the school where alumni make the most.
10. Radio, Television and Digital Communication
Median starting salary: $38,328
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: Arizona State University–Tempe
U.S. News rank and category: 115 (tie), National Universities
Median salary for ASU–Tempe graduates in this field: $54,000
9. Special Education
Median starting salary: $37,965
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: Central Michigan University
U.S. News rank and category: 207 (tie), National Universities
Median salary for Central Michigan graduates in this field: $50,200
8. Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
Median starting salary: $37,491
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: California State University–East Bay
U.S. News rank and category: RNP, Regional Universities (West)
Median salary for CSU–East Bay graduates in this field: $53,000
7. Education
Median starting salary: $37,426
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: Adelphi University (NY)
U.S. News rank and category: 151 (tie), National Universities
Median salary for Adelphi graduates in this field: $60,900
6. Legal Support Services
Median starting salary: $36,655
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: University of Washington
U.S. News rank and category: 56 (tie), National Universities
Median salary for University of Washington graduates in this field: $52,400
5. Animal Science
Median starting salary: $36,261
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: Auburn University (AL)
U.S. News rank and category: 103 (tie), National Universities
Median salary for Auburn graduates in this field: $46,200
4. Theological and Ministerial Studies
Median starting salary: $35,768
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: Bethel University (MN)
U.S. News rank and category: 11 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
Median salary for Bethel graduates in this field: $56,400
3. Social Work
Median starting salary: $35,344
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: Humboldt State University (CA)
U.S. News rank and category: 47 (tie), Regional Universities (West)
Median salary for Humboldt graduates in this field: $68,000
2. Work and Family Studies
Median starting salary: $34,854
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: University of Maryland–College Park
U.S. News rank and category: 61 (tie), National Universities
Median salary for UMD–College Park graduates in this field: $46,100
1. Child Development and Psychology
Median starting salary: $33,704
School with alumni earning the highest salary for this major: University of Texas–Austin
U.S. News rank and category: 56 (tie), National Universities
Median salary for UT–Austin graduates in this field: $44,600
Learn More About College Majors
Find out what to consider when choosing a college major, and use the 2018 Best Colleges rankings to help inform your college decision.
For more advice and information on how to select a college, connect with U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook.
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10 College Majors With the Lowest Starting Salaries originally appeared on usnews.com
