Petroleum engineering degrees teach students to extract oil safely.
PayScale.com offers rankings of some of the highest paying careers for those who graduate with a bachelor's degree. These degree programs involve science, mathematics, finance and engineering, and prepare students for careers in private industries, government agencies and research opportunities. In addition to academic coursework, these degrees require students to complete extensive research and laboratory work.
Petroleum Engineering
A bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering teaches students about the exploration and production of natural gas and oil. Students in the program learn about drilling methods, geologic formation and monitoring production operations. According to PayScale.com, those who graduate with a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering earn a starting salary of $97,000 per year and a mid-career median of $157,000, as of the date of publication. Graduates of the program are prepared to design the equipment and process necessary to recover oil and gas.
Applied Mathematics
Students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in applied mathematics learn to apply mathematical techniques in business and industry. In addition to providing students with analytical skills, students also have an opportunity to become proficient in computer analysis, actuarial mathematics, applied statistics and industrial mathematics. The curriculum includes courses in differential equations, linear algebra, probability and statistics, numerical methods and computational mathematics. As of the date of publication, PayScale.com reports that the starting salary for graduates with an applied mathematics degree is $56,400, and the mid-career median salary is $101,000 per year.
Physics
A bachelor's degree in physics prepares students for careers in research or continuing educational opportunities in the field. In addition to taking academic courses, students spend much of their time learning in a lab environment. Students are required to take courses that cover astronomy, modern physics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, condensed matter and computational physics. The starting salary for those with a bachelor's degree in physics is $50,700, while the mid-career median is $99,600, according to PayScale.com as of the date of publication.
Economics
A bachelor's degree in economics prepares students for entry-level careers in business or continuing educational opportunities in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Students in the program learn how the economy operates and about shifting economic circumstances. Course topics cover managerial economics, international trade, history of economic thought, money and banking, and labor economics. PayScale.com reports that as of the date of publication, graduates with a bachelor's degree earned a starting salary of $48,800 and had a mid-career median of $97,800.
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