Lowest Starting Salaries by College Degree 

Not everyone chooses a career in a high-paying field. Money is not everything, and fulfillment and satisfaction are just as important as income. Perhaps you chose a major that will allow you to get a job serving people. Maybe you are following your passions.

Students that graduate with the following college majors typically end up with the lowest salaries three years after receiving their bachelor’s degree. But graduating from certain colleges can put you ahead of the competition and help you earn thousands more than the lowest salaries for that job.

Education

Unfortunately, students with college majors in education go into the workforce earning some of the lowest salaries. But we rely on teachers to educate and guide our children. Classes that make up an education major may include psychology and public policy.

The median starting salary for someone with a major in education is $39,000. However, people who graduate from Boston University with this major earn a median salary of $53,000.

Animal Sciences

Students who major in animal sciences study the biology of animals and learn how to keep animals healthy. They often get a job in the livestock, ranching or farming industry. Some people enter this field in hopes of going into veterinary medicine.

These grads earn some of the lowest salaries, though. The median starting salary for college majors in animal sciences is about $40,000. However, students who graduate from Colorado State with this major are more likely to earn $55,000.

Health and Fitness

A degree in health or physical education can get you a job as an athletic trainer, recreation or gym teacher or operations planner at a fitness facility. People with this major might take classes in injury prevention, sports rules, and exercise methods. But they still earn some of the lowest salaries.

The median starting salary for college majors in health and physical fitness is about $42,000. However, students who graduate from Rice University with this major are more likely to earn $57,000.

Human Development

Someone who majors in human development learns about the physical, emotional, cultural, and social aspects of human progress and growth. People with this major might get a job in social justice, psychology, public policy, public health, or childcare.

The median starting salary for college majors in human development is about $42,000. However, people who graduate from Cornell University with this major are more apt to earn at least $14,000 more than the lowest salaries.

Liberal Arts

A liberal arts degree is sometimes referred to as general studies or liberal studies. This major covers a wide range of topics, including math, communication, history, and science. Someone with this major can explore a variety of interests. They will usually narrow down their coursework to a more specific area as they get closer to graduation and can get a job in a variety of industries.

The median starting salary for college majors in liberal arts is about $43,000. However, people who graduate from Biola University with this major are more likely to earn at least $20,000 more than the lowest salaries.

Design and Applied Arts

A degree in design and applied arts can get you a job in various fields, including illustration, game and media design, graphic design, interior design, industrial and product design and fashion design. Students with this major will take art-related courses, including art history and typography.

About 617 U.S. colleges offer this degree. The median starting salary for college majors in design and applied arts is about $43,000. However, people who graduate from Carnegie Mellon with this major earn a median salary of $76,000.