As Payscale issues its annual report on starting salaries after college, it is clear that not much has changed in recent years. In their survey of over 1,500 two-year, four-year and graduate university programs, those who studied Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (commonly known as STEM) came out on the top of the salary pile. Thirteen out of the top 15 ranked bachelor’s majors are engineering-focused.


 

Topping the pay list for bachelor degree graduates is SUNY – Maritime College, a small public college in New York State, followed by Harvey Mudd College in California. Other colleges rounding out the top 10 include (there are some ties): Harvard, United States Navel Academy, CalTech, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Babson, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, Washington and Lee, Carnegie Mellon and the United States Air Force Academy.  

For 2-year schools, Payscale found that, "When ranking 2-year schools, median school ranking for public schools is nearly 15 percent higher than private for-profit schools, and nearly 25 percent higher than private not-for-profit schools."

The report from Payscale is interesting because it highlights many smaller, less well known colleges and universities where the graduates go on to earn top salaries. While students have many factors they consider in selecting a college, the report adds another dimension to their decision.  But it is important to look beyond simply the initial starting salary as many college graduates started out with salaries that were not at the highest levels but when reviewed again 10 years post graduation were among the highest earners.

 

In sharing their data Payscale makes a couple of important points for college students:

It is important to get a summer internship, even if it is unpaid, because experience in a work setting counts for a great deal. 

College major and the course choices a student makes can matter far more than which college they attended. 

Start networking early by asking the adults your life for help and names and tapping into any alumni network. Many schools have online data bases and alumni are often happy to hear from students who are interested in their field of employment. This can be an excellent way to find an internship. 

College major can be important but experience may be even more important. Alison Doyle, job search expert for About.com warns students not to simply pick a major because it leads to a lucrative career. Students can then end up disliking their studies and later their job. She explains, "Given that the average person changes jobs 10 – 15 times during his or her career, I think it's most important to choose a major that's interesting to you. One of the worst things you can do is pick a major that you think will provide you with lucrative employment then end up hating the job you have. It's much better to spend time learning about what's important to you and then figure out where you want it to take you."

Even Payscale, who compile career earnings data by schools, experience, degrees and majors is quick to point out that none of these factors is a single determinant in how well paid a person's career turns out to be.