Debt-to-Earnings Ratio by Major (2026 stats)
TL;DR
The typical bachelor's graduate owes federal loans equal to 56.6% of first-year earnings, in EDsmart Data's analysis of 23,734 College Scorecard programs. The lightest burden is in Engineering (33.8%); the heaviest is in Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services (114.1%).
Key Facts
- Median bachelor's debt-to-earnings: 56.6% of first-year pay
- Lowest-burden major: Systems Engineering (23.8%)
- Highest-burden major: Behavioral Sciences (130.7%)
- Majors where median debt exceeds a year of pay: 8 of 188
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Debt as a share of first-year earnings, by field of study
Where debt outruns pay
Our analysis finds graduates in Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services carry debt worth 114.1% of a year's pay, more than 237% heavier than in Engineering.
Bachelor's programs only. Lowest and highest 10 field families with at least 15 reporting programs.
Debt-to-earnings ratio by field family (bachelor's)
| Field family | Debt as % of year-1 earnings | Median debt | Median year-1 earnings | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | 33.8% | $24,904 | $72,690 | 1,648 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | 39.3% | $26,000 | $66,209 | 1,102 |
| Transportation and Materials Moving | 40.1% | $22,000 | $54,827 | 54 |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | 40.4% | $26,875 | $66,749 | 343 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 41.9% | $21,488 | $53,132 | 329 |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | 47.1% | $31,000 | $78,165 | 2,293 |
| Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields | 52.9% | $21,500 | $40,194 | 327 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services | 53.3% | $26,000 | $52,758 | 3,922 |
| Physical Sciences | 54.8% | $23,625 | $42,204 | 384 |
| Architecture and Related Services | 55.6% | $26,000 | $46,954 | 138 |
| Social Sciences | 56.9% | $22,907 | $37,767 | 1,841 |
| Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies | 57.7% | $19,000 | $31,955 | 140 |
| Education | 62.1% | $26,000 | $41,720 | 1,229 |
| Legal Professions and Studies | 62.3% | $24,753 | $39,558 | 73 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 62.7% | $25,000 | $39,839 | 513 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs | 63.9% | $24,208 | $36,666 | 1,100 |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 65.5% | $21,000 | $31,969 | 293 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation | 66.9% | $22,692 | $34,000 | 321 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services | 69.8% | $26,000 | $37,792 | 716 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions | 70.7% | $26,970 | $38,638 | 519 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 71.5% | $26,599 | $37,786 | 427 |
| History | 72.6% | $23,100 | $31,852 | 381 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 73.6% | $24,000 | $32,925 | 1,348 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies | 73.8% | $24,072 | $34,666 | 94 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | 74.0% | $25,275 | $34,030 | 325 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology | 75.8% | $25,000 | $31,492 | 620 |
| Psychology | 77.2% | $25,000 | $32,276 | 1,072 |
| English Language and Literature/Letters | 78.5% | $24,822 | $29,848 | 620 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations | 78.6% | $25,454 | $33,308 | 91 |
| Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services | 82.4% | $27,000 | $32,775 | 15 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 94.5% | $25,988 | $25,359 | 1,356 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services | 114.1% | $26,748 | $25,848 | 67 |
Debt-to-earnings ratio for 188 bachelor's majors, lowest to highest
Majors (4-digit CIP) with at least 10 programs reporting both debt and earnings.
| Major | Debt as % of year-1 earnings | Median debt | Year-1 earnings | Year-5 earnings | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineering | 23.8% | $19,500 | $81,785 | $108,020 | 11 |
| Fire Protection | 28.0% | $21,248 | $81,637 | $87,490 | 20 |
| Computer Science | 29.4% | $22,500 | $77,385 | $110,266 | 317 |
| Computer Engineering | 30.7% | $24,337 | $81,123 | $110,493 | 161 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 31.0% | $21,457 | $69,520 | $91,738 | 12 |
| Nuclear Engineering | 31.2% | $23,000 | $74,540 | $94,372 | 10 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 31.3% | $25,000 | $77,971 | $99,424 | 242 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 31.9% | $22,750 | $74,199 | $94,660 | 38 |
| Industrial Engineering | 32.0% | $24,889 | $76,390 | $102,365 | 89 |
| Chemical Engineering | 32.6% | $23,875 | $75,340 | $97,829 | 152 |
| Construction Engineering | 33.4% | $26,698 | $80,936 | $102,183 | 10 |
| Construction Management | 33.9% | $24,600 | $72,779 | $93,016 | 51 |
| Engineering, Other | 34.1% | $22,875 | $74,204 | $94,292 | 17 |
| Statistics | 34.6% | $20,150 | $59,718 | $92,382 | 43 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 34.7% | $25,000 | $70,763 | $91,528 | 316 |
| Materials Engineering | 35.1% | $23,125 | $74,496 | $89,572 | 30 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 35.3% | $23,500 | $64,486 | $85,404 | 21 |
| Civil Engineering | 35.4% | $25,000 | $69,424 | $85,902 | 221 |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other | 35.4% | $25,000 | $70,620 | $86,205 | 14 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 35.4% | $26,000 | $75,036 | $97,915 | 58 |
| Insurance | 35.9% | $23,016 | $64,131 | $94,228 | 16 |
| Engineering, General | 36.1% | $26,113 | $68,331 | $88,670 | 46 |
| Applied Mathematics | 36.2% | $19,000 | $61,741 | $90,036 | 38 |
| Architectural Engineering | 36.4% | $25,880 | $76,272 | $97,098 | 12 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 36.6% | $23,250 | $66,075 | $94,444 | 115 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 36.9% | $26,917 | $66,588 | $78,421 | 94 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | 37.0% | $26,404 | $71,117 | $90,243 | 27 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 37.1% | $23,497 | $63,324 | $77,547 | 46 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | 37.3% | $26,000 | $67,072 | $86,067 | 19 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | 37.4% | $22,000 | $51,066 | $73,389 | 26 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 37.7% | $24,638 | $68,913 | $100,791 | 18 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 38.2% | $23,000 | $57,777 | $85,456 | 413 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 38.4% | $24,350 | $64,453 | $80,259 | 42 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 38.7% | $25,250 | $67,315 | $92,993 | 411 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | 39.0% | $19,802 | $50,740 | $73,457 | 28 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 39.2% | $24,500 | $63,023 | $85,514 | 142 |
| Real Estate | 39.3% | $21,032 | $55,257 | $85,275 | 23 |
| Information Science/Studies | 39.3% | $26,000 | $66,209 | $92,982 | 136 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 39.7% | $24,250 | $58,140 | $73,253 | 122 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 39.8% | $20,000 | $50,136 | $68,687 | 68 |
| Air Transportation | 40.1% | $22,000 | $54,827 | $83,811 | 48 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | 40.1% | $21,375 | $52,029 | $83,645 | 72 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | 40.7% | $26,990 | $64,284 | $81,374 | 50 |
| International Business | 40.8% | $23,472 | $51,843 | $69,652 | 91 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | 41.5% | $27,000 | $65,043 | $83,399 | 22 |
| Food Science and Technology | 42.1% | $20,945 | $52,084 | $66,527 | 23 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | 42.2% | $26,325 | $62,089 | $84,655 | 34 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 42.2% | $26,731 | $66,750 | $68,561 | 178 |
| Mathematics | 42.9% | $21,750 | $49,919 | $73,553 | 242 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 43.2% | $27,000 | $65,935 | $73,354 | 81 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 43.5% | $25,299 | $55,203 | $72,738 | 677 |
| Economics | 43.6% | $22,907 | $53,024 | $84,140 | 336 |
| Biotechnology | 43.8% | $20,618 | $49,916 | $81,038 | 17 |
| Cognitive Science | 43.9% | $17,481 | $39,839 | $78,267 | 17 |
| Homeland Security | 43.9% | $23,250 | $51,200 | $68,149 | 28 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 44.1% | $25,880 | $59,772 | $63,442 | 72 |
| Plant Sciences | 44.2% | $20,500 | $45,163 | $53,958 | 41 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 44.9% | $22,341 | $49,685 | $67,947 | 36 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | 47.1% | $25,000 | $45,696 | $61,750 | 11 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 47.1% | $38,145 | $83,188 | $92,768 | 990 |
| Public Administration | 48.2% | $21,000 | $46,281 | $61,050 | 43 |
| Marketing | 49.3% | $23,896 | $47,664 | $69,084 | 482 |
| Landscape Architecture | 49.3% | $27,000 | $53,355 | $63,416 | 11 |
| Security Science and Technology | 50.3% | $19,500 | $38,789 | $56,046 | 37 |
| Agriculture, General | 50.4% | $20,000 | $39,438 | $52,293 | 42 |
| Physics | 50.7% | $23,357 | $43,461 | $82,775 | 70 |
| Forestry | 52.0% | $22,173 | $41,189 | $60,170 | 27 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 52.1% | $27,000 | $51,664 | $67,094 | 160 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 52.6% | $21,977 | $43,249 | $67,400 | 102 |
| Sustainability Studies | 52.9% | $19,500 | $37,223 | $62,841 | 17 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 53.7% | $29,000 | $50,115 | $66,275 | 26 |
| Chemistry | 54.9% | $23,250 | $43,061 | $68,591 | 194 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 54.9% | $20,500 | $47,882 | $82,523 | 12 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 55.0% | $25,406 | $45,265 | $61,513 | 49 |
| Area Studies | 55.0% | $19,000 | $35,304 | $62,041 | 55 |
| Architecture | 55.6% | $26,000 | $46,347 | $67,436 | 63 |
| Science, Technology and Society | 55.6% | $18,006 | $40,297 | $80,699 | 10 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 55.6% | $20,250 | $38,985 | $69,587 | 126 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 56.3% | $27,000 | $51,562 | $62,344 | 1,122 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 56.8% | $25,000 | $45,875 | $54,523 | 187 |
| Geography and Cartography | 56.9% | $22,775 | $39,960 | $57,002 | 82 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 57.1% | $24,500 | $42,099 | $64,008 | 174 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 57.5% | $27,000 | $46,954 | $61,411 | 15 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 57.6% | $26,878 | $45,167 | $49,952 | 151 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 57.7% | $19,000 | $31,140 | $55,202 | 85 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 57.9% | $22,123 | $35,167 | $49,633 | 15 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 58.2% | $20,500 | $37,610 | $65,144 | 55 |
| Computer Programming | 59.1% | $28,000 | $50,242 | $79,507 | 28 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 59.1% | $20,250 | $36,883 | $62,793 | 77 |
| Interior Architecture | 59.4% | $27,000 | $45,345 | $59,006 | 13 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 59.6% | $21,250 | $33,705 | $55,893 | 181 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 60.1% | $19,000 | $32,301 | $62,401 | 84 |
| Political Science and Government | 60.5% | $22,375 | $37,009 | $67,019 | 513 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 60.8% | $25,000 | $39,997 | $59,465 | 100 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 60.9% | $24,386 | $39,558 | $62,817 | 38 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 61.0% | $23,000 | $40,294 | $60,709 | 23 |
| Animal Sciences | 61.3% | $21,745 | $34,933 | $54,287 | 81 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 61.5% | $22,000 | $36,532 | $70,181 | 35 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 61.5% | $25,523 | $42,589 | $51,417 | 321 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 61.7% | $23,448 | $35,277 | $51,398 | 133 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 61.7% | $26,000 | $41,595 | $46,217 | 647 |
| Apparel and Textiles | 61.9% | $24,750 | $38,262 | $55,279 | 51 |
| Human Biology | 62.0% | $14,500 | $31,891 | $79,098 | 10 |
| Criminology | 62.8% | $23,887 | $37,108 | $54,589 | 107 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 63.0% | $21,366 | $36,279 | $62,975 | 29 |
| Public Health | 63.9% | $25,000 | $37,548 | $56,290 | 211 |
| Philosophy | 64.2% | $20,000 | $32,749 | $55,124 | 72 |
| Journalism | 64.5% | $24,208 | $36,468 | $58,392 | 171 |
| Genetics | 64.9% | $21,216 | $31,800 | $68,301 | 11 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 65.2% | $24,068 | $36,424 | $55,642 | 598 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 65.3% | $22,500 | $34,742 | $50,742 | 46 |
| Education, General | 66.0% | $27,000 | $41,421 | $47,043 | 60 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 66.2% | $22,309 | $33,976 | $54,775 | 224 |
| Sociology | 66.2% | $23,503 | $34,121 | $52,284 | 399 |
| Housing and Human Environments | 66.5% | $25,683 | $38,637 | $51,755 | 11 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | 66.9% | $25,479 | $34,432 | $62,022 | 18 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 67.2% | $25,000 | $35,476 | $50,442 | 50 |
| Education, Other | 67.6% | $25,367 | $35,712 | $48,016 | 21 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | 68.2% | $24,752 | $36,280 | $49,656 | 16 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 68.3% | $26,000 | $36,625 | $57,478 | 39 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 68.3% | $22,500 | $32,919 | $83,413 | 10 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 68.4% | $23,875 | $35,746 | $56,837 | 152 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 69.1% | $29,913 | $43,160 | $50,265 | 19 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 69.8% | $26,000 | $37,542 | $54,929 | 620 |
| Social Work | 70.1% | $26,500 | $37,990 | $48,856 | 334 |
| Social Sciences, General | 70.3% | $25,409 | $37,335 | $53,776 | 71 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 70.5% | $25,998 | $39,422 | $51,456 | 26 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 71.5% | $26,599 | $37,786 | $49,421 | 427 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 72.1% | $19,899 | $27,629 | $48,759 | 75 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 72.1% | $25,993 | $34,923 | $59,581 | 34 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 72.3% | $27,000 | $37,693 | $47,716 | 46 |
| History | 72.6% | $23,100 | $31,852 | $50,950 | 381 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 72.6% | $23,125 | $29,884 | $67,874 | 61 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 72.8% | $26,000 | $33,401 | $53,363 | 112 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 73.0% | $26,000 | $35,639 | $66,382 | 34 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 73.0% | $25,000 | $31,873 | $50,488 | 48 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 73.6% | $26,000 | $35,324 | $80,065 | 13 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 74.0% | $20,750 | $27,331 | $50,651 | 15 |
| Biology, General | 74.5% | $24,161 | $32,940 | $63,464 | 825 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 74.9% | $22,286 | $29,765 | $67,848 | 90 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 75.1% | $26,000 | $35,973 | $60,572 | 43 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | 75.2% | $25,125 | $32,008 | $46,144 | 39 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 75.5% | $24,586 | $32,525 | $56,205 | 49 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 75.7% | $24,250 | $29,388 | $48,482 | 138 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 76.0% | $24,500 | $35,114 | $42,215 | 31 |
| American Sign Language | 76.0% | $25,287 | $33,775 | $46,831 | 14 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 76.3% | $25,000 | $31,165 | $56,525 | 524 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 76.7% | $26,000 | $34,030 | $44,784 | 165 |
| Natural Sciences | 77.3% | $26,000 | $28,107 | $64,442 | 10 |
| Legal Support Services | 77.6% | $27,750 | $41,375 | $47,680 | 23 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 77.9% | $23,774 | $32,202 | $48,541 | 24 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 78.1% | $21,000 | $26,286 | $59,735 | 104 |
| Psychology, General | 78.3% | $25,000 | $32,276 | $51,142 | 932 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 78.6% | $24,529 | $29,848 | $48,554 | 484 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 78.7% | $53,062 | $67,395 | $85,005 | 37 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 78.8% | $26,500 | $29,054 | $43,809 | 10 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 79.2% | $26,899 | $32,665 | $53,422 | 259 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 79.3% | $48,014 | $60,540 | $73,315 | 36 |
| Anthropology | 79.4% | $22,523 | $28,314 | $47,132 | 168 |
| Business/Corporate Communications | 80.1% | $26,000 | $32,445 | $56,837 | 23 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 80.3% | $38,210 | $44,580 | $51,707 | 256 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 80.6% | $23,461 | $29,074 | $45,407 | 58 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 81.4% | $27,000 | $33,153 | $50,801 | 57 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 81.7% | $26,750 | $34,083 | $40,556 | 16 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 82.5% | $27,000 | $34,166 | $44,884 | 53 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | 82.9% | $27,000 | $32,586 | $41,943 | 35 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 84.6% | $27,000 | $35,065 | $51,988 | 52 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 86.0% | $25,000 | $29,303 | $52,434 | 50 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 87.0% | $25,798 | $36,834 | $53,146 | 35 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 87.3% | $25,000 | $28,178 | $44,778 | 34 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | 88.8% | $46,000 | $51,805 | $74,585 | 19 |
| Music | 91.6% | $26,000 | $26,011 | $40,816 | 217 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 92.2% | $25,468 | $28,449 | $40,061 | 39 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 94.7% | $25,293 | $24,419 | $42,040 | 363 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 94.7% | $36,495 | $38,540 | $49,603 | 21 |
| Religious Education | 95.1% | $35,436 | $35,803 | $42,169 | 12 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 95.2% | $35,697 | $37,480 | $42,810 | 15 |
| Human Services, General | 95.6% | $35,750 | $37,571 | $46,004 | 80 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 95.7% | $25,000 | $24,078 | $42,807 | 129 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 99.2% | $26,000 | $25,702 | $41,226 | 54 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 102.0% | $56,517 | $55,431 | $63,772 | 250 |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other | 105.2% | $25,500 | $24,239 | $51,372 | 16 |
| Graphic Communications | 110.5% | $26,748 | $25,358 | $49,983 | 49 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 110.7% | $27,000 | $29,736 | $34,940 | 14 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 113.5% | $55,425 | $48,829 | $81,090 | 22 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 114.8% | $25,000 | $20,532 | $33,461 | 234 |
| Dance | 117.4% | $25,000 | $21,877 | $33,041 | 51 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 130.7% | $49,770 | $37,661 | $43,712 | 14 |
What the data shows
A common rule of thumb says total student debt should not exceed your first-year salary. By that yardstick, 8 of the 188 majors we measured fail at the median, meaning the typical graduate owes more than a full year of pay.
Systems Engineering has the lightest burden (23.8%: $19,500 of debt against $81,785 in first-year pay). Behavioral Sciences has the heaviest (130.7%).
Debt is driven mostly by where you enroll and how much aid you get, while earnings are driven mostly by the field. That is why the same major can look very different school to school; check the program-level numbers on individual school pages before you borrow.
Methodology
Program figures come from the College Scorecard field-of-study file: one record per institution × 4-digit CIP code × credential level. Earnings are median annual earnings of federal-aid recipients who completed the program and were working and not enrolled, measured 1, 4, and 5 years after completion (in the dollar year of the Scorecard release). Debt is the median federal loan balance (Stafford and Grad PLUS) at completion; private loans and Parent PLUS are excluded. Programs with too few graduates are suppressed by the Department of Education and drop out of each column.
The debt-to-earnings ratio for each program is median federal debt at completion divided by median earnings one year after completion, shown as a percentage. Field and family figures are the median program ratio weighted by the number of borrowers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good debt-to-earnings ratio for a college major?
Debt at or below first-year earnings (100%) is a common benchmark. The typical bachelor's program sits at 56.6%, based on College Scorecard program data.
Which majors have the lowest debt compared with earnings?
Systems Engineering, Fire Protection, and Computer Science have the lowest ratios among majors with at least 10 reporting programs (23.8%, 28.0%, and 29.4%).
Which majors have the highest debt compared with earnings?
Behavioral Sciences (130.7%) and Dance (117.4%) have the heaviest burdens at the median.
Does this include private student loans?
No. College Scorecard reports federal loans only (Direct Stafford and Grad PLUS). Private loans and Parent PLUS loans are not included, so total borrowing can be higher.
Data sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard institution and field-of-study files (latest release in our extract)