Reported by The Education Magazine | 10 February 2026
The College Salary Report 2026, released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), reveals a widening earnings gap between technology-driven degrees and non-technical fields, reigniting debate over the financial value of different college majors.
According to the Winter 2026 survey, average starting salaries for computer science graduates rose 6.9% to approximately $81,000, while social science majors experienced a 1.7% decline in starting pay, the first drop recorded for the category in several years.
Education analysts say the data reflects shifting employer priorities as artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven roles continue to dominate hiring demand.
Key Findings from the College Salary Report 2026
| Major Category | Average Starting Salary (2026) | Year-over-Year Change |
| Computer Science | ~$81,535 | +6.9% |
| Engineering (avg.) | ~$74,000 | +4.2% |
| Healthcare Fields | ~$68,000 | +3.1% |
| Social Sciences | ~$56,000 | −1.7% |
Career experts note that the table highlights a clear market signal favoring technical and applied skill sets, particularly in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure.
For a deeper look at specific roles, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook provides detailed growth projections for data-centric careers through 2034.
What Graduates and Career Advisors Are Seeing on the Ground
University career counselors say the salary divide is already influencing student behavior.
“In the past year alone, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in students switching into data and computing-related majors by their second year,” said Anita Reynolds, Senior Career Advisor at a large public university. “Salary transparency is changing how students define ‘safe’ degree choices.”
Recent graduates echo the sentiment.
“I loved political science, but the job offers just weren’t there,” said Rohan Mehta, a 2026 graduate now working as a data analyst. “Adding technical skills made the difference between a $50k offer and an $80k one.”
These firsthand experiences reinforce the trends identified in the College Salary Report 2026, particularly among cost-conscious students facing rising tuition and loan burdens.
Why These Salary Trends Matter Now
The timing of the report is critical. As families question whether college is still “worth it,” early-career salary outcomes have become a decisive metric for return on investment (ROI).
Advisors warn that while social science degrees still offer long-term value in leadership, policy, and graduate study pathways, students without complementary technical or analytical skills may face tougher early-career outcomes.
Universities are increasingly responding by blending disciplines, pairing economics with data science or sociology with analytics, to improve employability without abandoning foundational fields.
Global Implications for Students
Although based on U.S. data, the College Salary Report 2026 is closely monitored by international students planning to study abroad. Salary benchmarks strongly influence global enrollment demand, particularly from regions where students seek high-mobility careers after graduation.
Experts say sustained growth in tech salaries could further boost international demand for computer science, AI, and engineering programs, where students are increasingly utilizing the best college AI tools to gain a competitive edge in the global market.
What Happens Next
NACE is expected to release additional employer hiring outlooks later in 2026, which will clarify whether the decline in social science starting salaries represents a short-term correction or a longer-term structural shift.
Current data from the NACE Job Outlook 2026 report suggests that nearly 70% of employers are now pivoting toward skills-based hiring to bridge this gap.
Education leaders say the next phase will depend on how effectively institutions align degree programs with evolving workforce needs without reducing education solely to salary outcomes.
FAQs
- What is the College Salary Report?
It is an annual survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) that tracks starting salaries for new graduates across academic majors.
- Which majors saw the highest salary growth in 2026?
Computer science and technology-related majors recorded the strongest salary increases, driven by demand for digital and AI-related skills.
