Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at Carnegie Mellon University by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at Carnegie Mellon University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
19
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$534,809
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$80,514
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$2,839,817 | $201,541 | $80,514 | $21,442 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$1,390,146 | $129,112 | $80,514 | $22,250 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Finance and Financial Management Services.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$1,090,504 | $112,628 | $80,514 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Design and Applied Arts.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$926,589 | $106,086 | $80,514 | $24,500 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Statistics.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$886,147 | $103,853 | $80,514 | $21,375 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Systems Science and Theory.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$882,656 | $103,805 | $80,514 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$862,776 | $102,811 | $80,514 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Civil Engineering.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$713,324 | $93,769 | $80,514 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$640,615 | $91,671 | $80,514 | $22,777 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Chemical Engineering.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$581,265 | $88,727 | $80,514 | $23,125 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$520,917 | $85,635 | $80,514 | $22,020 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$487,204 | $82,463 | $80,514 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Materials Sciences.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$247,544 | $70,480 | $80,514 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$103,124 | $63,259 | $80,514 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Architecture.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
+$49,124 | $60,559 | $80,514 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
-$320,681 | $43,791 | $80,514 | $25,515 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Psychology, General.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
-$325,256 | $41,840 | $80,514 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
-$587,586 | $30,411 | $80,514 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Music.
Grad rate: 92.0% |
-$826,857 | $18,409 | $80,514 | $24,431 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.