What Degree Makes a Lot of Money? Top-Paying Degrees in 2025

Not all degrees are created equal when it comes to earning power. If you’re wondering what degree makes a lot of money, the answer isn’t just about picking something you like-it’s about matching your skills with industries that pay well and are growing fast. In 2025, the highest-paying degrees aren’t just about prestige. They’re about demand, specialization, and real-world impact.

Computer Science and Software Engineering

If you want to make serious money after graduation, computer science is still the top choice. Graduates with a bachelor’s in computer science earn an average starting salary of $85,000 in North America, and that number jumps to $120,000+ within five years for those who specialize in areas like artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, or cybersecurity. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Shopify aren’t just hiring coders-they’re hiring problem solvers who can build systems that handle millions of users.

What makes this degree stand out? It’s not just the pay. It’s the flexibility. You can work remotely, freelance, or even start your own company. Many people earn six figures without ever stepping foot on a traditional campus. Online programs from schools like Georgia Tech, MIT OpenCourseWare, and Coursera’s partnerships with universities offer accredited degrees that employers respect. A 2024 survey by LinkedIn found that 68% of tech hiring managers said they valued online CS degrees just as much as traditional ones-if the candidate could prove their skills through projects and portfolios.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering

Want to work on robots, self-driving cars, or next-gen microchips? Electrical and computer engineering degrees are among the most lucrative outside of pure software. These engineers design the hardware that makes modern technology possible. Average starting salaries hover around $80,000, with senior roles in semiconductor firms or aerospace hitting $140,000+.

Unlike some degrees that become outdated, this field evolves with every new gadget. The rise of electric vehicles, smart grids, and AI-powered devices means demand is only growing. Online programs in this area are harder to find, but institutions like Purdue and the University of Illinois offer fully online master’s degrees that are respected by top employers. If you already have a bachelor’s in another field, you can often bridge into this with targeted bootcamps or graduate certificates.

Finance and Financial Engineering

Money makes money. That’s the basic idea behind degrees in finance, especially financial engineering and quantitative finance. These programs mix math, statistics, and economics to train people who build trading algorithms, manage risk for hedge funds, or design complex investment products.

Entry-level roles at banks like JPMorgan or Goldman Sachs start at $90,000-$110,000, and bonuses can push total compensation over $150,000. The catch? You need strong analytical skills and often a master’s degree. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to go to an Ivy League school. Online MBAs with a finance specialization from schools like Indiana University or the University of Texas at Austin offer the same curriculum at a fraction of the cost. Many professionals complete these part-time while working.

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmacists are among the most trusted professionals in healthcare-and one of the best-paid. A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree leads to an average salary of $130,000 in the U.S. and Canada. In specialized roles like clinical pharmacy or drug development, salaries can exceed $160,000.

Unlike other health degrees, pharmacy doesn’t require years of residency. The Pharm.D. is a four-year professional program after two years of pre-pharmacy coursework. Many universities now offer hybrid programs where core classes are online, and labs or clinical rotations are done locally. With aging populations and rising drug costs, demand for pharmacists isn’t slowing down. And unlike doctors, pharmacists rarely work overnight shifts or deal with emergency trauma.

Data Science and Analytics

Data is the new oil-and someone has to refine it. Data science degrees train people to turn raw numbers into decisions. Whether it’s predicting customer behavior for Netflix or optimizing delivery routes for Amazon, data scientists are in high demand.

Entry-level data analysts earn around $75,000. Data scientists with a master’s degree start at $95,000-$110,000. Top performers in AI-driven industries can hit $180,000+. What’s great about this field is that you don’t always need a traditional degree. Many people break in with bootcamps, online certifications, or self-taught skills. But if you want to climb to leadership roles or work in research-heavy environments, a master’s in data science from a reputable school (like Carnegie Mellon or UC Berkeley’s online program) gives you a clear edge.

Actuarial Science

If you love math and hate surprises, actuarial science might be your perfect fit. Actuaries use statistics to predict risk-for insurance companies, pensions, and even climate-related financial models. It’s a niche field, but it’s incredibly well-paid.

Entry-level actuaries earn $70,000-$80,000. By the time you’ve passed 5-7 professional exams (which you can study for online), your salary jumps to $120,000+. Many employers pay for exam fees and give bonuses for each one passed. Universities like the University of Waterloo and the University of Manitoba offer strong actuarial science programs, and there are fully online options for the prerequisite math and statistics courses.

Specialized Nursing Degrees

Nurses don’t always make headlines for their pay-but advanced practice nurses do. Nurse practitioners (NPs), especially those in anesthesia (CRNAs), earn over $180,000 on average. Even nurse anesthetists in smaller cities make $150,000+.

How? You start with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), then get a Master’s or Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP). Many of these programs are now offered online with local clinical placements. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 45% growth in NP jobs by 2032. Canada is seeing similar demand. It’s one of the few high-paying healthcare careers that doesn’t require medical school.

What Degrees Don’t Pay as Well?

It’s not about the subject-it’s about the market. Degrees in fine arts, philosophy, or elementary education rarely lead to six-figure salaries right out of school. That doesn’t mean they’re worthless. But if your goal is financial return on your education investment, you need to be realistic.

Some degrees have lower pay because they’re saturated. For example, general business or psychology degrees are common, so entry-level roles pay less-often $45,000-$55,000. The difference? Specialization. A psychology major who becomes a licensed therapist or works in organizational behavior can earn far more than someone with the same degree who just works in HR.

Online Degrees: Are They Worth It?

Yes-if you pick the right program. The stigma around online degrees is fading fast. Employers now care more about what you can do than where you learned it. A 2025 survey by PayScale showed that 72% of hiring managers couldn’t tell the difference between an online and on-campus graduate when reviewing resumes blind.

Key tips for choosing an online degree:

• Look for regional accreditation (not just program-specific)
• Check if the school has a strong alumni network in your target industry
• Make sure you can do internships or capstone projects locally
• Avoid for-profit schools that push expensive loans with low job placement rates

Top online degree providers in 2025: Arizona State University, University of Florida, Southern New Hampshire University, and Western Governors University-all offer accredited, affordable programs in high-demand fields.

What About Graduate School?

Many of the highest-paying jobs require more than a bachelor’s. A master’s in computer science, engineering, or finance can add $20,000-$40,000 to your starting salary. But not all grad degrees are worth the cost.

For example:

• A Master’s in Computer Science? Worth it. ROI is high, even with $30,000 in debt.
• A Master’s in Education? Usually not. Salaries don’t rise enough to justify the cost.
• An MBA from a top school? Can be worth it-but only if you’re targeting management roles in tech, finance, or consulting.

Many people now take online MBAs part-time while working. Programs like the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offer full-time equivalent curricula at half the price of Ivy League schools.

Final Advice: Don’t Chase Money-Chase Value

The best degree isn’t the one that pays the most. It’s the one that pays well and keeps you engaged. If you hate coding, don’t force yourself into computer science just because the salary looks good. Burnout is real, and it’s expensive.

Instead, ask yourself:

• What problems do I enjoy solving?
• What industries are growing where I live-or where I’m willing to move?
• Can I get hands-on experience while I study?

Combine your interests with market demand, and you’ll find a path that pays well and keeps you motivated. The top earners aren’t always the ones with the fanciest diplomas. They’re the ones who built skills people are willing to pay for-and kept learning after graduation.