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Grads With Engineering Degrees Receive Top Starting Salaries

By Edward Cardenas

EAST LANSING (CBS Detroit) - Students graduating with degrees in engineering can expect the highest starting salaries, according to  the "Recruiting Trends 2014-15" study from Michigan State University's College Employment Research Institute.

The study found engineering majors graduating with associate, bachelor's and master's degrees led all majors with starting salaries ranging from $48,558 for an engineering associate's degree to $69,284 for a master's in engineering.

Overall, graduates this year can expect higher salaries. The study found 37 percent of employees will increase starting salaries by 3 to 5 percent.

"This year competition for qualified job candidates is heating up," the study stated. "More employers are increasing their incentives to attract the best candidates."

Employers in the manufacturing, finance and insurance services, and professional, business, and scientific services will increase salaries by more than 10 percent. The study also found that government, education and utilities will offer the smallest increases at 4 percent.

According to the College Employment Research Institute, the top starting salaries by degrees are:

  • Electrical Engineering $57,030
  • Computer Engineering $56,576
  • Mechanical Engineering $56,055
  • Software Design $54,183
  • Computer Programming $54,065
  • Chemical Engineering $53,622
  • Computer Science $52,237
  • Civil Engineering $51,622
  • Mathematics (includes applied) $47,952
  • Construction $45,591
  • Supply Chain $45,508
  • Finance $44,699
  • Accounting $44,525
  • Nursing $43,481
  • Chemistry $43,344
  • Human Resources $42,495
  • Marketing $41,481
  • Economics $41,118
  • Humanities & Liberal Arts $39,162
  • Agricultural Sciences $38,854
  • Biology $38,806
  • Public Relations $38,568
  • Psychology $36,973
  • Social Work $36,639
  • Advertising $36,638
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