A new report shows some undergraduate degrees pay off more than others — literally. Using data from the U.S. Census, the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce's "What's It Worth: The Economic Value of College Majors" report, issued May 24, looked at 171 different majors and found that the difference in earning potential between one field of study and another can be more than 300%. TIME took a look at the 10 highest- and the 10 lowest-earning majors
Median earnings per year: $85,000
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 there were some 301,500 electrical and electronics engineers working in the U.S. Many worked for companies that make medical machines, communications equipment or electronics — industries that continue to grow, fueling the need for qualified engineers.
