Highest Paying Master’s Degrees

• Job Title: IT Manager
• Median Salary: $146,360 per year
• Primary Duties: According to US News’s ‘Best Paying Jobs of 2020’ report,  this is the highest-paying non-medical role attainable with a graduate degree. The main responsibilities of IT managers include planning, coordinating, and directing online or computer-based work for an organization. Although an entry-level role in this field can be obtained with a bachelor’s degree, to reach the full career potential, employees must obtain an MBA, most commonly with a concentration in technology.

• Job Title: Marketing Manager
• Median Salary: $135,900 per year
• Primary Duties: Although some debate whether the best route for a high-level career in marketing is an MBA or a direct master’s in marketing, the high Salary associated with this role is directly correlated with obtaining an advanced degree. Marketing managers are known for working on promoting an organization, its products, and its services.

• Job Title: Strategic Planning Analyst
• Median Salary: $127,116 per year
• Primary Duties: Strategic Planning Analyst is responsible for developing long-term goals and strategic objectives for an organization. The strategic analyst identifies, analyzes, and monitors issues that affect profitability, growth, and productivity. Being a strategic planning analyst recommends financial and non-financial strategic alternatives and develops and maintains operational plans.

• Job Title: Political Scientist
• Median Salary: $125,350 per year
• Primary Duties: Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They research political ideas and analyze governments, policies, political trends, and related issues. Political scientists usually research one of the following areas: national politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory.

• Job Title: Public Relations and Fund-Raising Managers
• Median Salary: $118,430 per year
• Primary Duties: Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization. Public relations managers review press releases and sponsor corporate events to help maintain and improve the image of their organization or client.

• Job Title: Registered Nurse
• Median Salary: $113,025 per year
• Primary Duties: Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Most registered nurses work as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Some registered nurses oversee licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.

• Job Title: Financial Analyst
• Median Salary: $108,518 per year
• Primary Duties: A Master of Finance prepares graduates to oversee companies’ investments, financial reports, mergers and acquisitions, cash management, and capital. If you pursue a Master of Science in Finance degree, you will learn advanced accounting and management skills. With this degree, you can get a job in local or international finance as a financial manager or officer, controller, financial planner, investment banker, money manager, or risk manager.

• Job Title: Medical and Health Services Managers
• Median Salary: $104,280 per year
• Primary Duties: Medical and health services managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They may manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians. Medical and health services managers must adapt to changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and technology.

• Job Title: Statistician
• Median Salary: $104,009 per year
• Primary Duties: With a Master of Science in Statistics, you will gain advanced knowledge on collecting, analyzing, and presenting data. Concepts you will learn about and apply to real-world scenarios include probability theory, regression analysis, bioinformatics, and linear modeling. Statisticians can find high-paying jobs managing and analyzing data for companies in nearly any field. These might include medical statisticians, public health statisticians, and educational testing statisticians.

• Job Title: Economist
• Median Salary: $94,319 per year
• Primary Duties: A Master of Science in Economics gives degree-holders a deep understanding of economic theories such as micro-and macroeconomics, econometrics, economic forecasting, and growth and applied financial and computational economics. You can specialize in the finances of a particular industry and find work as a financial economist, micro- or macroeconomics, or industrial economist. You can also earn an MBA in economics if you want to study industry, marketing, trade, and investments locally or globally. With this degree, you can specialize in labor or urban economics and economic analysis.

• Job Title: Physicist
• Median Salary: $91,080 per year
• Primary Duties: Through physics, students study the correlation between space, time, energy, and matter. You might pursue a Master of Science in Physics if you want to specialize in fields such as biophysics, astrophysics, quantum physics, nonlinear dynamics, bio-photonics, computational physics, electrodynamics, or solid-state physics. With this degree, you can find work as a scientist or physicist in a research laboratory or at an educational institution as a high school or college professor.

• Job Title: Psychologist
• Median Salary: $82,180 per year
• Primary Duties: Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors. Psychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behavior. They use observation, assessment, and experimentation to develop theories about the beliefs and feelings that influence individuals.

• Job Title: Engineer
• Median Salary: $82,330 per year
• Primary Duties: Petroleum engineers design extraction methods for crude oil or natural gas development and production. Professionals pursuing this niche degree will understand concepts ranging from physics and chemistry to geology and thermodynamics to economics and mathematics. Jobs you might qualify for upon obtaining a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering include petroleum geologist, production engineer or drilling engineer, petroleum engineer, among others.

• Job Title: Mathematician
• Median Salary: $79,815 peryear
• Primary Duties: If you are interested in the advanced function of mathematics in fields such as engineering, management, and science, Master of Science in Applied Mathematics is one of the top-paying master’s degrees. In this program, you can specialize in focus areas such as numerical analysis, scientific computing, and mathematical biology. With this degree, you can find mathematician jobs that require you to research and apply complex math concepts to business, economics, engineering, computing, or other industries.

• Job Title: Auditors
• Median Salary: $73,560 per year
• Primary Duties: Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, identify potential areas of opportunity and risk, and provide solutions for businesses and individuals. They ensure that financial records are accurate, that financial and data risks are evaluated, and that taxes are paid properly. They also assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently.

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a top 10 public research university with nearly 40,000 students who study in person at the main campus in Atlanta. Tech’s engineering and computing Colleges are the largest and among the highest-ranked in the nation. The Institute also offers outstanding programs in business, design, liberal arts, and sciences.

With more than $1 billion annually in research awards across all six Colleges and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Georgia Tech is among the nation’s most research-intensive universities. It is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation.

The program for the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) prepares students for more highly productive careers in the industry. Students may apply to the program if they possess a bachelor’s degree in computer science from an accredited institution. According to their prior academic record, all applicants are evaluated, scores on the Graduate Record Examination, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Applicants are selected for fall semester admission only. The application deadline is February 1.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The flagship of the University of North Carolina system is considered a Public Ivy or a public institution that offers an academic experience similar to that of an Ivy League university.

Ranked a top online MBA in Marketing, MBA@UNC equips students with the skills to become marketing-savvy leaders. MBA@UNC’s marketing concentration prepares students to begin or advance their careers in this rapidly changing landscape.

University of Texas, Dallas — Created by bold visionaries and tech pioneers, UT Dallas has nurtured generations of innovators in its first 50 years. A top value public university with more than 28,000 students across eight schools, we’ve graduated more than 115,000 Comets who are leading Texas, the nation, and the world.

The Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT Dallas offers several nationally ranked Master of Business Administration degree program options. MBA students can choose among the Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA Flex, Professional MBA Evening Cohort, Professional MBA Online, Professional MBA Healthcare, or Executive MBA. For students who cannot attend on-campus classes, the Professional MBA Online program provides access to all the same core and some of the elective classes/concentrations offered to students in the Professional MBA Program.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — Virginia Tech (formally the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and informally VT or VA Tech) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. It also has educational facilities in six regions statewide and a study-abroad site in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. Through its Corps of Cadets ROTC program, Virginia Tech is a senior military college.

The Online Master of Arts in Political Science is identical in course content, requirements, and workload to the residential MA degree program. Building upon the experience and expertise of Virginia Tech faculty in teaching online undergraduate courses through the Virginia Tech Cyber-school. Since 1995 this online learning site is aimed at place-bound students who want to earn a graduate degree but cannot begin a residential degree program at Virginia Tech’s main campus in Blacksburg. Participants in this Online Master of Arts program complete their course work over the Internet through asynchronously conducted online graduate courses.

Villanova University — Villanova University was founded in 1842 by order of Saint Augustine. There are 11,000 undergraduate, graduate, and law students in the University’s six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies, and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. These colleges are the setting for an experience that develops both the heart and the mind and creates the atmosphere where students are called to ignite change. Villanova University is located in a suburban community 12 miles west of Philadelphia, Pa.

Villanova’s Graduate Master’s in Public Relations develop leaders capable of strategic and ethical thinking, speaking, writing, and research on communication issues and problems, fostering critical competence and analytical rigor in the practice and study of communication.

The Ohio State University, commonly Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. The flagship of the University System of Ohio is considered a Public Ivy and has been ranked by major institutional rankings among the best public universities in the United States.

The Master of Science in Nursing is a graduate degree at the master’s level of the College of Nursing. The online program prepares graduates for nursing in various clinical settings ranging from private practices, clinics, hospitals, and businesses to managed care organizations and governmental agencies. Graduates will acquire knowledge, values, and skills through coursework, clinical experience, and evidence-based practice. There are four specializations in the online format, and each track will prepare you to sit for specialty certification.

Located on the historic Hudson Riverbank and at its Florence, Italy campus, Marist College is a comprehensive, independent institution grounded in the liberal arts. Its mission is to “help students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.” Marist educates more than 5,000 traditional-age undergraduate students and 1,400 adult and graduate students in 47 undergraduate majors and numerous graduate programs, including fully online MBA, MPA, MS, MA degrees, and Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs. Health care administrators and managers face problems unique to their industry, from working within the framework of extensive regulation, ongoing reimbursement and profitability difficulties, and managing a diverse and highly educated workforce. Meeting those challenges effectively requires specialized preparation. The online MBA or MPA Healthcare Administration Master’s degree concentration provides graduate students with critical information to optimize both a health care organization and career.

North Carolina State University: NC State University began as a land-grant institution grounded in agriculture and engineering. Today, we’re a leading public research university that excels across disciplines. NC State is a powerhouse in science, technology, engineering, and math. It is at the forefront of teaching and research in design, the humanities, and the social sciences. And it is home to one of the planet’s best colleges of veterinary medicine. It has around 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its ranks.

North Carolina State University’s Department of Statistics is committed to providing outstanding training both on-campus and worldwide. The online Master of Statistics degree is the same degree that on-campus students receive, with the same requirements. Thirty credit hours (10 courses) are required; all requirements are available online.

The Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1876, the university was named for its first benefactor, the American entrepreneur and philanthropist Johns Hopkins.

The economics master’s degree program at Johns Hopkins brings together those looking to enter the field and professionals from around DC and beyond looking to advance, expand, or change their careers. Students have undergraduate degrees in various fields, and they work for government agencies, congressional committees, international lending institutions, trade associations, think tanks, and private businesses of all kinds.

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1817 in Detroit, University of Michigan, 20 years before the territory became a state, the university is Michigan’s oldest. It has around 45,000 students in its ranks. It is also considered to be the number 1 public university in the country.

Michigan has a distinguished record of innovation in Applied Physics. With a broad range of multidisciplinary research and access to the most advanced facilities, the master’s program in physics offers a dynamic environment for graduate training. Structured to meet individual goals, our curriculum allows research training blending the discipline of physics with chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, medicine, natural resources, and public policy.

Touro University Worldwide is a nonprofit institution of higher learning established by philanthropic visionaries committed to developing a passionate, connected learning community that can help students achieve their individual academic goals. In addition to providing both on-campus and online academic opportunities, the university provides outstanding administrative services, cutting-edge technology, and a highly qualified academic faculty. As a nonprofit institution, all resources are directed and reinvested to improve the already excellent education at TUW.

The online Master of Science in Forensic Psychology is a 36-credit program of study displaying mental and behavioral health interaction with the law and criminal justice system. The Forensic Psychology Program is designed to provide a gateway to the knowledge and applications of forensic psychology in a variety of contemporary settings.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the 40 best universities in the world. It supports some 51,000 diverse students with top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. And as Texas’ leading research university, UT attracts more than $650 million annually for discovery.

The University of Texas at Austin’s petroleum engineering graduate program, by the numbers, is a strong and influential community that is dedicated to changing the world — 160 students, $13.7 million in research funding, and 1,200 alumni with graduate degrees. You will learn and develop in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities for energy and technology. UT PGE’s education and research enable students to impact society by finding solutions to our greatest energy issues. The program, which ranks No. 1 by US News and World Report.

Texas A&M opened its doors in 1876 as the state’s first public institution of higher learning. Today, we stand as a research-intensive flagship university dedicated to sending Aggie leaders out into the world prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow. Texas A&M’s main campus in College Station is home to more than 69,000 students. Another 5,200 are at the branch campuses in Galveston and Qatar and at the School of Law, Higher Education Center at McAllen, and Health Science Center locations across Texas.

Our Master’s in Science in Mathematics Program’s main objective is to fully prepare students to pursue successful careers as professional mathematicians working in business, industry, and education. Program requirements include a spectrum of mathematics classes complemented by required courses outside the department and targeted to the specific track chosen. These courses provide a breadth of training and depth of knowledge in an area of specialization, and they are complemented by various internship opportunities and teaching experiences for the students.

Northeastern University (NU or NEU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1898, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs on its main campus in Boston and satellite campuses in Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; San Francisco, California; Portland, Maine; and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. In the 2020–21 school year, the university has committed $355 million in grant and scholarship assistance.[11] In 2019, the North-eastern six-year graduation rate was 89 percent.

This accelerated and respected master’s degree in taxation is your opportunity to dive headfirst into the intricacies that separate top tax experts from their competition. Students analyze complex tax statutes, regulations, related cases, and rulings while interacting with expert faculty with decades of academic and industry experience. In just 16 months, you can develop a sophisticated and contextual understanding of tax planning and compliance that can immediately translate to the workplace and beyond.

Northern State University (NSU) is recognized as one of the best public baccalaureate colleges in the Midwest by US News & World Report for more than a decade. Home to nearly 3,500 students from across the country and worldwide, it has a great 20:1 student-faculty ratio. Eighty-two percent of students receive some form of financial aid – including ​the WolfPACT, the largest four-year guaranteed scholarship in South Dakota.