20 Highest-paying University Degrees in the World in 2024

When choosing what to study, vocation is not the only thing that is taken into account. The thing is that many times the economic factor ends up imposing itself. Therefore, if you want to ensure a high salary, we bring you a list of the 20 highest-paying university degrees in the world.

In this article, you will not only find the approximate salaries of the best careers, but also advice for choosing a well-paid career. In addition, they will learn what the careers of the future are, with a guaranteed job opportunity in the coming years.

The 20 Highest-Paying University Courses

To put together this list of the best-paying university careers in the world, we rely on studies carried out by Indeed and Glassdoor, two of the most important and recognized job portals in the United States.

On these pages, you can find all kinds of information regarding the labor market: job offers, salary data, job opportunities, experiences in different companies and much more!

The salaries included in this list of the best-paying university careers correspond to the United States labor market. Although the figures may vary in other countries, this ranking will help you get a general idea of the global labor market.

Also, keep in mind that this is an approximate base salary for recent graduates. The figure may increase depending on factors such as the experience of the professional, the employer and the type of employment.

Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering is one of the highest-paying careers in the world, given that the oil industry moves millions of dollars. Here you will learn the methods necessary to discover, exploit, transform and transport hydrocarbons. The average starting salary exceeds USD 80,000 annually.

Computer Science

Computer Science covers the areas of study where data and algorithms are used to build digital ecosystems and solve highly complex computing problems. The knowledge gained can be applied in artificial intelligence, computer architecture, databases, software development and much more. According to Glassdoor, the average base salary is $70,000 per year.

Dentistry and Orthodontics

Dentistry (dentistry) deals with oral health, covering all the elements inside the mouth: teeth, gums, nerves, jaw, etc. It is one of the highest-paying careers in the world, with annual salaries for dentists starting at around $70,000.

Electric Engineering

With an average base salary of USD 68,438 per year, Electrical Engineering is positioned as one of the best-paying careers. It is the study and application of electricity, electromechanics and electronics to electrical power systems such as those used in airplanes, railway systems, automobiles, electrical energy networks, etc.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is responsible for the analysis, design and manufacture of electromechanical systems intended for various purposes, such as thermal, hydraulic, robotic, manufacturing and transportation, among others. The average starting salary is USD 68,000 per year.

Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Pharmaceuticals is one of the industries that moves the most money in the world, so professionals with a degree in Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics) enjoy well-paid salaries that start at about USD 68,000 per year. The degree focuses on knowledge about the preparation, distribution and use of medicines, both for human and animal use.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering focuses on the design, development and management of processes that optimize the transformation of raw materials for the manufacture of new products. It has job opportunities in various industries, such as pharmaceutical, food, chemical and metallurgical, among others. It has an average base salary of USD 65,000 per year.

Industrial Engineering

Industrial Engineering has an average base salary of USD 64,381 per year. The goal of the degree is to train professionals who are capable of optimizing processes and systems to increase productivity, reducing costs and waste in the production process.

Statistics

Statistics (Statistics) is a branch of mathematics that is responsible for studying scientific methods to collect, organize and analyze data related to all types of aspects of reality, interpreting the information to obtain conclusions that are based on probabilities. The average base salary is about USD 60,000 per year.

Nursing

With an average base salary of USD 58,928 annually, Nursing is one of the highest paying careers in the world. After finishing their studies, they will be able to enjoy a broad career path with positions in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, daycare centers and private care of people.

Math

Mathematics investigates and formulates mathematical systems and methods, finding solutions to practical problems. He has a very wide and varied career path, with the possibility of working in computing, artificial intelligence, the financial sector, logistics, data analysis and teaching. The starting salary is about USD 54,018 per year.

Accounting

For those passionate about numbers, studying Accounting is a great option. The job option includes positions in both public and private companies, where they must manage the budget, carry out banking operations, manage cash movement and take care of the company’s accounts, among other tasks. The average starting salary is about USD 54,000 per year.

Economy

The Bachelor’s Degree in Economics (Economics degree) provides solid tools to carry out economic analysis, diagnoses and projections, both in public and private entities. It has an average base salary of USD 52,000 per year and a wide career path, including positions such as financial analyst, consultant and accountant, among many others.

Biotechnology

The Biotechnology degree focuses on the biological and molecular knowledge necessary to develop biological technologies and systems. It is about the fusion between technology and living organisms. Job opportunities include the pharmaceutical, perfume and cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food and agribusiness industries, among others. The average base salary is USD 50,000 per year.

Architecture

In Architecture (Architecture) they will be trained as professionals capable of designing, building, optimizing and restoring spaces and physical structures to meet different needs. As for work opportunities, they can be in charge of devising projects, providing advice, supervising works, creating environmental designs and being in charge of decorating spaces, among other jobs. The salary for someone who has just graduated starts at about USD 50,000 a year.

Marketing

In Marketing, they will learn techniques, strategies and processes that a brand or company uses to promote and increase sales of a product or service. It is a career with high demand at present, offering base salaries of about USD 50,000 per year.

Fashion design

Fashion Design, also called Textile and Clothing Design, trains expert professionals in the process of creating clothing and accessories, contemplating the cultural and social influences of the environment. The average starting salary is USD 50,000 per year.

International Business

With an average base salary of USD 47,850 per year, International Business is one of the best paying careers in the world. The objective of this career is to train professionals capable of preparing, directing and developing commercial operations in the international market.

International relations

International Relations (International Relations) covers the study of foreign affairs and the international system in political, economic, legal and diplomatic matters. The average base salary is about USD 46,000 per year and job opportunities include positions in government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private companies, international organizations and more.

Graphic design

In Graphic Design (Graphic Design) they will learn to project and design visual communications that transmit specific messages to certain target audiences. Creativity, innovations and lateral thinking are some of the characteristics of graduates, who can get jobs with starting salaries of about USD 45,800 per year.

Countries with the best salaries

According to the latest ranking prepared by Paylab, an international platform that collects information on the salaries of employees in different positions worldwide, the 10 countries with the best average gross salaries per month are Switzerland (USD 8,244), Liechtenstein (USD 6,648), Denmark (USD 6,369), United States (USD 6,331), Luxembourg (USD 5,244), Monaco (USD 5,139), Singapore (USD 5,112 ), Germany (USD 4,887), Norway (USD 4,784) and Netherlands (USD 4,652).

The Top 20 is completed by Australia (USD 4,486), Austria (USD 4,383), Belgium (USD 4,327), Canada (USD 4,241), Finland (USD 4,199), Sweden (USD 4,144), Ireland (USD 4,093), France (USD 3,851), United Kingdom (USD 3,776) and New Zealand (USD 3,697).

Next, we are going to leave you a list of the countries that make up this ranking and that provide different visas to be able to work legally, whether Working Holiday, work or student visas.

Denmark

High salaries are not the only advantage of Denmark‘s labor market. It also highlights the great combination between work and private life, since you only work for 37 hours a week and there are 5 weeks of vacation per year. As if that were not enough, Denmark is the second country with the best quality of life in the world, according to the annual survey carried out by US News & World Report.

If you want to emigrate to this destination, a great option is the Working Holiday Denmark visa, which allows you to stay for 12 months and work for up to 9 months. In addition, they will be able to extend their stay for up to four years with the Pay Limit Scheme residence and work permit.

Germany

Germany, the seventh country with the best quality of life in the world, has a consolidated economy, so looking for work in Germany is not a challenge for foreigners looking for qualified employment.

To travel to this country, you can apply for the Working Holiday Germany visa, with which you will be able to work legally for 12 months, although for a maximum of 6 months with the same employer. If you want to extend your stay, you have the option of obtaining a work visa in Germany

Norway

Norway‘s labor market is positioned as one of the strongest in Europe, with one of the highest average salaries on the continent. Added to this is the attractiveness of the high degree of gender equality that exists in different jobs, as well as the incredible balance between work life and free time.

If you are interested in emigrating to this country and are Argentine, you can take advantage of the Norwegian Working Holiday visa, which allows you to stay for 12 months and work throughout the year, although never for more than 6 months with the same employer.

Australia

Australia has a large number of job opportunities, so looking for a job is not a complicated process. Not only will they be able to work in major cities, but there is also a high demand to work in the countryside in Australia. Added to all this is a high savings capacity.

If you are interested in traveling to this country, one of the best options is to apply for the Working Holiday Australia visa. However, it is not the only alternative. They can also get a student visa to work part-time.

Canada

In Canada, you will find a high demand for skilled jobs that offer high salaries, such as accountant, web developer, mechanical engineer, nurse and many others.

To emigrate to this destination you can apply for the Working Holiday Canada visa. An alternative is the student visa, which contemplates programs that include work experience in their study plan.

Ireland

In addition to high salaries, hospitality towards foreigners is highlighted in the Irish labor market. Therefore, it is an ideal destination for those immigrants who want to start their professional career in this country, which is home to the headquarters of multinationals such as Facebook, Google and Apple.

To emigrate, they can start applying for the Ireland Working Holiday visa , which allows them to stay for 12 months. If there are no more places available, they can obtain a student visa, which enables them to work part-time during the time they study.

New Zealand

According to the experiences of many who have already lived in New Zealand, finding a job does not take more than 2 or 3 weeks. Additionally, there is a wide variety of jobs, both skilled and unskilled.

If your goal is to live and work in this country, we recommend applying for the New Zealand Working Holiday visa. There are also other incredible options such as the student visa, which allows you to have a part-time job. In addition, there is a Work visa (Work Permit), although it is not easy to obtain because there are many requirements.

Tips for choosing a well-paying career

Research the labor market

The first thing you have to do to choose a well-paying career is to research the job market. This means visiting job portals daily, talking to family, friends or acquaintances who work in different areas and searching the internet for salary surveys.

In this way, they will be able to identify those jobs that have the highest salaries and that are in high demand. Once they do that, they’re going to have to choose which jobs appeal to them the most. Finally, they only have to look for what career they have to study to be able to apply for these positions.

Think about the careers of the future

Although it is necessary to research the job market, it is also essential to think about the future. The thing is that you are going to spend three, four, five, six or even more years studying a degree. In that time, there are many things that can change.

Therefore, it is also important that they inform themselves about what the careers of the future are. There are many industries, such as technology, that are constantly evolving, creating new jobs.