According to a recent report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the average starting salary of 2020 college graduates is 55,260 US dollars, 2.5% higher than 2019 graduates of 5,3889 dollars, and 8.5% higher than the 50,944 US dollars of 2018 graduates.

The NACE survey found that graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics earned more on average. NACE Executive Director Shawn VanderZiel (Shawn VanderZiel) said: “In some cases, salary increases are likely a reflection of this special period. For example, the increased demand for frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to a 2.1% increase in the average starting salary for registered nursing majors, from $57,416 for 2019 graduates to $58,626 in 2020.”

NACE Research Manager Andrea J. Koncz explained, “Tech majors are generally the highest-paid majors because they're usually the most sought-after. Additionally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and greater demand for technology in the new 'virtual world' where we live and work, computer-related majors accounted for four of the top ten highest-paying majors for 2020 graduates.”