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At this early point in the reporting cycle, Class of 2018 graduates with master’s degrees in multi/interdisciplinary studies and computer and information sciences are the top-paid in the class as their salaries average more than $90,000, according to results of NACE’s Fall 2018 Salary Survey.
It’s important to note, however, that the results for Class of 2018 graduates are based upon early outcome reports; at this time, the volume of data is not as significant as the final figures reported almost a full year after graduation in the summer.
Still, with an average salary of $90,647, multi/interdisciplinary studies are the top-paid major among Class of 2018 master’s graduates in disciplines that have at least 100 salaries reported. Computer and information sciences ($90,155) and engineering ($87,247) are following closely behind. (See Figure 1.)
Meanwhile, salaries for master’s graduates in the health professions ($73,080) and business, management, and marketing ($70,239) topped $70,000.
The Fall 2018 Salary Survey report provides actual starting salaries (not projections) for the college Class of 2018. Data were collected from July 25, 2018, through September 7, 2018, and were provided by 71 colleges and universities nationwide that participate in NACE’s national First-Destination Survey. The data are preliminary salaries for Class of 2018 graduates in the date range July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018. The Fall 2018 Salary Survey report is available to members in MyNACE. An executive summary report is available at http://www.naceweb.org/research/reports/.
Figure 1: Average starting salaries by discipline, master’s degrees
| Broad Category |
2018 Average Salary |
| Multi/interdisciplinary studies |
$90,647 |
| Computer and information sciences |
$90,155 |
| Engineering |
$87,247 |
| Health professions and related programs |
$73,080 |
| Business, management, and marketing |
$70,239 |
Source: Fall 2018 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers