15 Highest-Paying Masters Degrees in 2025

Pursuing a master's degree is one of the best ways to open up job opportunities with the potential for higher earnings. With higher-than-average salaries and improved job security, earning a degree in the highest paying college majors is sure to set you up for success.

Read on to learn more about the highest-paying master's degrees in 2025 and what careers you can pursue with each degree.

Highest Paying Master's Degrees

The highest-paying master's degrees are generally those that require the most technical or advanced skills. As a result, they also end up being among the most useful master's degrees.

The following salary information was sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which provides official data on wages, employment trends, and job outlooks across various industries. Please note that these salaries are based on national averages. The actual salary will vary depending on experience level, geographic area, and other factors.

Below is our list of the 15 most useful master's degrees for finding a high-paying job.

1. Nursing

Median Salary: $129,480

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is among the most challenging degrees to earn. An MSN is a common path for students who have completed their bachelor's degree in nursing. The curriculum varies by school, but students can expect to take courses such as physiology, pharmacology, and healthcare management.

There's no shortage of jobs in the field of nursing, with the industry expecting to grow by 40% in the next 10 years, according to the BLS. Career opportunities include anesthetists, midwives, and practitioners in various settings.

2. Economics

Median Salary:$115,730

While a master's degree in economics is typically a stepping stone toward a PhD, there are terminal options for economics degrees. To earn their degree, students can expect to take courses in statistics, micro and macroeconomics, and algebra.

The field is expected to grow by 5% over the next decade, which is an average increase across the entire job market. Economics graduates can pursue careers in industries such as banking, business, research, and consulting.

3. Computer Science

Median Salary:$145,080

As we become more dependent on technology, computer science professionals will continue to be in demand. Students pursuing a master's in computer science will likely take courses in programming, data management, and machine learning.

With the industry expecting to grow 26% by 2033, computer science students will be entering an in-demand job market. Career options include computer programmer, software engineer, and machine learning engineer.

4. Data Science

Median Salary:$108,020

Data science is another career path with growing demand. Earning a Master of Science (MS) in data science is a great start to a high-paying job. Data science master's programs typically include courses in data statistics, machine learning, and computer modeling.

Data science employment is expected to increase 36% in the coming years, meaning there's a good amount of job security in the industry. Career options include data analyst, data engineer, and data architect.

5. Health Informatics

Median Salary: $110,680

Health informatics is the science of using data to improve healthcare settings, making it an invaluable career field these days. Health informatics master's degree programs include courses in healthcare information systems, biomedical data science, and machine learning.

The job growth for the industry is healthy, with employment opportunities expected to increase by 29% over the next decade. Students pursuing health informatics degrees can find jobs as biostatisticians, medical data analysts, and clinical health informatics managers.

6. Information Technology

Median Salary: $104,420

Information technology is among the fastest-growing career paths, with over 51,000 master's students graduating in 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Students pursuing degrees in IT will likely take courses in data management, ethics, machine learning, and project management.

Careers in the IT industry are expected to see massive increases, with approximately 356,700 new jobs available annually. These degrees open the doors to many career opportunities, including roles as software engineers, computer systems analysts, and database architects.

7. Business Administration

Median Salary: $79,050

A Master of Business Administration degree sets graduate school students up with the skills needed to thrive in the business world. MBA program courses generally include:

• marketing
• accounting
• business ethics
• supply chain management

The business field is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next 10 years, with 963,500 jobs added annually. This high-demand degree can lead to jobs as business managers, organization directors, and consultants.

8. Marketing

Median Salary: $156,580

With career paths in advertising and promotions, marketing students can expect to take courses in statistics, market research, and communications. The marketing industry is expected to see a relatively small increase in demand, with 8% growth by 2033.

Grads can expect jobs in marketing management, brand management, market research, and public relations.

9. Engineering

Median Salary: $118,350

With the industry expecting to add 195,000 jobs yearly through 2033, a degree in engineering is a safe bet in a high-paying sector. Engineering grad students can expect to take courses in design, project management, and engineering management. After completing their degrees, graduates can pursue careers in the fields of aerospace, product development, and construction.

10. Industrial Organizational Psychology

Median Salary: $154,380

A degree in industrial organizational psychology prepares graduates for careers in business consulting, employee and manager training, and management analysis. Courses typically include research methods, organizational development, and quantitative analysis. The BLS expects the I/O psychology industry to grow by 14.2% in the coming years, making it one of the best graduate degrees.

11. Web Design

Median Salary: $92,750

Students interested in building websites can pursue web design master's degrees for a creative career with high pay. Courses in these graduate programs include digital media layout, database management, and coding. With an 8% increase in job growth, web design graduates can find careers as:

• website builders
• database managers
• web interface developers

12. Cybersecurity

Median Salary: $120,360

As more and more of our lives and careers rely on the internet, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is only set to rise. Students pursuing a cybersecurity master's degree can expect to take courses in security measures, hacking countermeasures, and cloud security.

This industry is certainly booming, with an expected job growth of 33% by 2033. Cybersecurity grads can pursue careers in data analytics, security system design, and cybercrime team management.

13. Mathematics

Median Salary: $104,860

With career paths in data analytics, data science, cryptography, and market research, there is no shortage of options for mathematics majors. Courses include algebra, statistics, number theory, and topology. The market for mathematicians is promising, with the industry expecting to increase by 11% by 2033.

14. Finance

Median Salary: $99,890

While economics and finance may seem similar, the former is a social science, while the latter is more concerned with the spending habits of individuals and businesses. Finance graduate students take courses in financial mathematics, statistics and data analysis, and financial modeling.

According to the BLS, the finance industry is expected to moderately increase by 9%, though that's still well above the average. Graduates can pursue careers as:

• financial analysts
• advisers
• accountants
• portfolio managers

15. Architecture

Median Salary :$93,310

Whether you're interested in a career as a practicing architect, city planner, or building surveyor, a master's degree in architecture could be a great choice. Courses in these advanced degree programs typically include the history of architecture, algebra, urban planning, and construction design.

While the industry is only expecting to add 8,500 jobs per year through 2033, this is still higher than the average.

FAQs About the Best Master's Degrees in the U.S.

If you're considering pursuing a master's degree, you likely have a lot of questions. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about master's degrees in the U.S.

What Master's Degree Pays the Most?

Many experts agree that a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in economics or finance is among the highest-paying graduate degrees. However, all of the programs on our list are good options if you're looking for master's degrees that pay well.

What Jobs Require a Master's Degree?

Most management-level jobs require at least a master's degree, as do many healthcare specialty roles. Specific jobs include professors, occupational therapists, and physician assistants.

What Is the Highest-Paying Master's Degree in Education?

The highest-paying master's degrees in education typically include those that focus on administration, leading to roles as superintendents and higher education administrators.

What Is the Most In-Demand Master's Degree for the Future?

While there is no definitive answer to this question, degrees in the field of information technologies are likely to be the most in-demand in the future. Specifically, degrees in data science, artificial intelligence, and software engineering are expected to have the greatest return on investment.

Explore Master's Degrees

The best master's degree to get is one that leads you to a career you're passionate about. While there are many graduate degrees that pay six figures, others are stepping stones to doctorate programs. Whether you're looking for in-person programs or online colleges, explore the master's degree options available in the U.S. on Learn.org.