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While the average starting salaries for new college graduates have been stagnant over the last few years, the preliminary average starting salary for Class of 2019 graduates shows substantial growth, according to results of NACE’s Fall 2019 Salary Survey.
This year’s fall average stands at $55,280, which is 10.6 percent higher than last year’s reported fall average of $50,004 for Class of 2018 graduates. However, it is extremely important to note that these are preliminary salaries based on a small number of reporting institutions.
Within the analysis of the broad categories of majors, findings show how limited data is producing results that are not consistent with those collected in the last several years. However, the yearly comparisons of the individual disciplines show exactly which areas are driving the overall increase.
Of the top-paid categories, the highest paid (computer and information science) also shows one of the highest increases. In addition, the top-paid categories are showing increases across the board, creating a perfect scenario for a large increase in salaries. (See Figure 1.)
The Fall 2019 Salary Survey report provides actual starting salaries (not projections) for the college Class of 2019. Data were collected from July 10, 2019, through September 27, 2019, and were provided by 89 colleges and universities nationwide, who are participants in NACE’s national First-Destination Survey. The data are preliminary salaries for Class of 2019 graduates in the date range from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019. The Fall 2019 Salary Survey report will be available later this fall.
Figure 1: CHANGES IN PRELIMINARY REPORTED AVERAGE STARTING SALARIES, 2019 & 2018
| Broad Category |
2019 Average Salary |
2018 Average Salary |
Percent Change |
| Computer & Information Sciences |
$81,292 |
$73,768 |
10.2% |
| Engineering |
$69,180 |
$65,455 |
5.7% |
| Mathematics & Statistics |
$68,785 |
$65,349 |
5.3% |
| Engineering Technologies |
$60,473 |
$57,267 |
5.6% |
| Health Professions & Related Programs |
$54,175 |
$52,711 |
2.8% |
| Business |
$53,912 |
$51,872 |
3.9% |
| Social Sciences |
$53,729 |
$44,047 |
22.0% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies |
$50,302 |
$48,966 |
2.7% |
Source: Fall 2019 Salary Survey report, National Association of Colleges and Employers