If you just graduated college with a degree in the liberal arts, there's good news for you. <\/p>\n
First of all, average salaries for new college graduates are at an all-time high, according to executive search firm Korn Ferry. <\/p>\n
The class of 2017 will make an average $49,785 annually, it said. That's up 3% from last year. <\/p>\n
We know that your choice in major certainly matters. Yes, grads with science, technology, engineering and math degrees are on a fast track to a big paycheck. The five highest-paying fields analyzed by Korn Ferry are in the STEM fields. Entry-level engineers can expect to earn $63,036 on average. <\/p>\n
But that doesn't mean liberal arts majors can't get there. <\/p>\n
Related: How to pay off your student loans faster <\/p>\n
Your career choice also plays a big role in how much you earn, and for liberal arts majors, career options are pretty broad, according to a new report from The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution. <\/p>\n
Ryan Nunn, an author of the report, said he was shocked to see just how much variety there actually is among people with the same major. <\/p>\n
The most popular occupation for people with degrees in communications is a manager in marketing, advertising, and public relations. They actually do earn above average, with a median salary of $56,000 for 25- to 34-year-olds. <\/p>\n
But that kind of position is held by less than 5% of those graduates, according to data from The Hamilton Project. <\/p>\n
And sometimes a liberal arts major needs another degree to get ahead. <\/p>\n
More than 5% of those with a degree in English or literature make a median salary of $69,000 before the age of 34 by getting their law degree and becoming lawyers or judges. They're earning nearly $140,000 by the end of their career. <\/p>\n
Broke No More: How can I pay off my student debt and still have a life? <\/p>\n
Psychology majors end up in a number of different fields, like teachers, social workers, counselors and, of course, psychologists. <\/p>\n
Those who become psychologists start out earning the most -- about $49,000 a year -- and end up making about $80,000 by age 34, though nearly all of them have an advanced degree. <\/p>\n
The most popular occupation for psychology majors is a counselor. About 8% of them go into that field, but they start out making a median salary of just $37,000. <\/p>\n
Your job can explain up to 25% of the variation in earnings within the same major, the report said. <\/p>\n
Take the often criticized philosophy major. About 1.2% of them will enter the corporate sector and become management analysts earning a median salary of $72,000, while the 8% who become college professors earn $51,000. <\/p>\n
\"There's a lot of variety across majors, but STEM majors do have a more clear path to the higher paying jobs,\" said Nunn. <\/p>\n
Are you starting your first job? We'd love to hear about how you landed the gig and how it's going. Share your story by emailing Katie.Lobosco@cnn.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n CNNMoney (New York) First published June 2, 2017: 11:33 AM ET <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Liberal arts majors can get high-paying jobs, too - CNNMoney<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you just graduated college with a degree in the liberal arts, there's good news for you. First of all, average salaries for new college graduates are at an all-time high, according to executive search firm Korn Ferry. Continue reading