Six Figures Right Out of College? Here’s Where the Money Is in 2025

The Class of 2025 is dreaming big: graduates anticipate an average starting salary of $101,500, according to ZipRecruiter. But reality is grittier—actual salaries hover around $68,400. Still, a select few fields are closing the gap, offering paths to six figures by mid-career or even earlier. Let’s dissect the data to find the golden tickets for ambitious graduates—and investors.

The Gap Between Dreams and Reality

While student expectations are inflated by social media and economic pressures, certain fields are bucking the trend. According to NACE, top earners in engineering and computer sciences start at $78,731 and $76,251, respectively. But specialized roles—like aerospace engineers or software architects—can leapfrog into six figures with a few years of experience.

The key? Technical expertise paired with high-demand industries. Let’s break down the winners.

Top Fields to Hit Six Figures (and How to Play Them)

1. Engineering Management ($146,868 Mid-Career)

This hybrid field merges engineering know-how with business strategy, making graduates project leaders in tech, aerospace, and manufacturing. With a 6% job growth rate, this role is a magnet for companies needing to balance innovation and profitability.

Why it matters: Aerospace giants like LMT and BA rely on engineering managers to drive projects like next-gen satellites or electric planes. Investors bullish on infrastructure and defense spending should watch these stocks.

2. Architecture ($128,756 Mid-Career)

Sustainable design and urbanization are fueling demand for architects, with an 8% job growth rate. This field isn’t just about blueprints—it’s about shaping smart cities and green infrastructure.

Investment angle: Firms like Bechtel (a private company, but publicly traded contractors like Fluor (FLR) mirror its trends) profit from infrastructure spending. Pair this with materials suppliers to capture the full value chain.

3. Computer Engineering ($121,515 Mid-Career)

Hardware-software wizards dominate AI, IoT, and cybersecurity. Early-career salaries start at $82,565, with top earners in Silicon Valley hitting six figures quickly.

Why now?: Chipmakers like NVDA and AMD are the engines of the AI revolution. As demand for GPUs and specialized processors skyrockets, their shares reflect this growth.

4. Electrical Engineering ($111,091 Mid-Career)

From renewable energy grids to 5G telecom networks, electrical engineers are critical to modernizing infrastructure. A 9% growth rate underscores this field’s staying power.

Investment thesis: SPWR’s role in solar tech and AT&T’s 5G rollout highlight the sector’s breadth. Diversify between clean energy and telecom to hedge bets.

5. Aerospace Engineering ($108,638 Mid-Career)

Rocket science pays—literally. This niche field is booming thanks to space exploration (e.g., SpaceX) and military contracts.

Why it’s hot: While SpaceX is private, RTX—a major defense contractor—offers public exposure to aerospace innovation.

The Gender and Racial Pay Gaps: A Hidden Opportunity

Women earn 20.9% less than men in bachelor’s roles, and Asian graduates outearn Hispanic peers by 53% in master’s programs. This inequity creates opportunities for investors:

• Support diversity-driven companies: Firms prioritizing DEI (e.g., Salesforce (CRM)) may attract top talent and outperform peers.
• Watch sectors with inclusive hiring: Tech and healthcare, which are already high-growth, could see accelerated growth as underrepresented groups gain access.

Where to Park Your Money Now

1. ETFs for Diversification:
2. Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) for tech exposure.

3. iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IGF) for construction and utilities.

4. Stock Picks:

5. Microsoft (MSFT): Cloud computing and AI dominance.

6. General Electric (GE): Aerospace and renewable energy plays.

7. Avoid the Overhyped:

8. Liberal arts and communications majors lag, with salaries $40k below expectations. Avoid sectors reliant on soft skills unless paired with STEM.

Conclusion: Six Figures Require Strategy

The data is clear: engineering and tech fields are the gold mines for graduates—and their investors. By 2025, mid-career salaries in these areas regularly surpass $100K, with growth rates outpacing the economy.

For investors, the path is twofold:
- Back the enablers: Chipmakers, aerospace firms, and infrastructure projects.
- Bet on talent pipelines: Universities and coding bootcamps (e.g., Coursera (COUR)) feeding these fields.

With student debt at $1.7 trillion and salaries lagging expectations, graduates must pick majors wisely. Investors who align with these trends can profit from the $38,270/year average college cost and the $146K mid-career payouts they enable.

The message? Follow the math—and the money.

The numbers don’t lie: STEM graduates earn 2–3x more than their humanities peers, with debt ratios 15% lower.

Final Takeaway: The six-figure dream isn’t dead—it’s alive in fields that solve today’s biggest challenges. Invest in the engineers, architects, and coders of tomorrow, and watch your portfolio take flight.