In this article, we’ll use recent survey data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) to find out which tech majors are best in 2026. 

NACE has compiled data from thousands of students who graduated in the past six months in order to gauge starting salaries, along with employment and unemployment rates.

Data from just a few years ago shows that bachelor’s degrees in majors like computer science and computer engineering had an ROI greater than 1,200%.

But as the use of AI has surged in recent years, there’s been a significant decline in the number of entry-level tech jobs, leaving many people to wonder if these tech-heavy college degrees are really worth it in 2026.

In this new guide we break down the data according to the top-paying majors, look at potential job opportunities for each major, and point out which majors are most likely to be displaced by AI.

Key Takeaways

Top 5 Highest-Paying Tech Majors

MajorAverage Starting Salary% Employed% Unemployed
Computer Science$101,66164%15%
Computer Engineering$93,31061%21%
Electrical Engineering$90,52663%14%
Data Analytics$88,71377%5%
Applied Mathematics$86,36059%10%

Highest-Paying Computer Science Majors for Tech Careers

Computer Science

Computer science is a broad major that covers topics like software development, computing systems, data security, and AI/ML. The major also incorporates the study of algorithms and computational theory.

Common Career Paths

A Declining Major in 2026

With starting salaries above $100K, it’d be logical to assume that computer science is the most popular tech degree. 

In fact, from 2008 to 2024, there was a 5x increase in the number of computer science degrees granted. 

But the trend is declining now, which could be due to the 15% unemployment rate among graduates.

Data shows that enrollment in computer science programs was down 8% last fall. 

One example is UC Berkley. Enrollment in the school’s computer science program is down nearly 60% when comparing the 2025-26 to the 2026-27 school year.

Some students are choosing other tech majors, like data analytics, or more specialized engineering majors, like electrical engineering. A common perception is that these fields are less susceptible to AI taking over entry-level jobs.

Information Technology Administration

Students majoring in information technology administration learn about business administration and IT systems, focusing on how technology can support company goals.

Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for information technology managers will grow by 16% through 2035. 

That will add more than 108K new jobs.

This positive job outlook is already evident in the 74% employment rate, but look for this number to climb even higher in the next few years.

Business + IT Advantage

In the coming years, blending business administration with IT systems will be a critical task for companies in all sectors. Information technology administration graduates are poised to lead those efforts.

While it’s not a programming-heavy degree, students still gain the skills necessary to step into careers as computer network architects, database administrators, or IT project managers.

Information Science

Information science studies combine computer science and data management. Classes look at the interaction between people and technology from technical, analytical, and human viewpoints.

Dozens of Career Paths

One of the reasons why information science majors have such a high rate of employment (77%) is because of the versatility of the degree. 

Graduates have the practical skills needed for managing data and the UX strategies to back it up, which is something that’s needed in any sector. 

Information science students can go on to become database administrators, research analysts, information security analysts, and UX designers, just to name a few career paths.

Computer Programming

Computer programming majors focus on software languages like Java, C++, and Python. They learn key parts of the software development process, like writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining programs.

Common Career Paths

The Threat of AI

Computer programming students typically become highly proficient in coding. What’s missing  is the knowledge of the theory, algorithms, and system design that’s taught to computer science majors.

This limits their job possibilities, especially entry-level jobs, and the programming market is already showing signs of an AI takeover.

For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects computer programming jobs to decrease 7% by 2035.

Entry-level hiring at Big Tech companies, which used to include a large number of programmers, has decreased by more than 25% in recent years. 

And, who they’re hiring has changed, too. 

There’s been a 27% increase in hiring for AI/ML roles, while areas like data, software, and product management have seen modest 3% increases.

Computer Systems Analysis

By majoring in computer systems analysis, students learn how to analyze, design, and improve IT systems within enterprises. Studies include a combination of business management, programming, and database fundamentals.

Common Career Paths

Top Sectors for Computer Systems Analysts

According to the most recent employment data, there are 544,400 computer systems analysts working in the US. Here’s where they work.

SectorNumber of Computer Systems Analysts Employed
Computer systems design125,000
Finance and insurance71,000
Management of companies and enterprises54,000
Government38,000

While there is a high unemployment rate (19%) among recent graduates, job prospects in this area are predicted to grow much faster than average in the coming years. 

Security Science and Technology

Security science and technology students focus on protecting data and people. This includes learning how to apply scientific and analytical principles to fight cybercrime.

Common Career Paths

Why Is Unemployment So High?

A recent analysis found that less than one-quarter of cybersecurity job listings at Fortune 100 companies require a four-year degree. 

This means that graduates aren’t just competing against other recent graduates for entry-level jobs. The job pool is also filled with people who have associate’s degrees and certificate-based learning, or are transitioning from another career. 

Added to that, the number of entry-level cybersecurity roles is shrinking.

Just 17% of cybersecurity employers are looking to hire for entry-level roles.

Highest-Paying Math Majors for Tech Careers

Data Analytics

With a data analytics major, students study how to collect, analyze, and interpret complex datasets. Coursework brings together classes from computer science, mathematics, and statistics. 

Data Explosion

Data is everywhere, but without the right people to manage it, data is useless. 

That’s why data analytics majors are seeing such high wages and low unemployment rates in 2026.

More than 60% of businesses say they’re “very data-driven,” but more than half of companies aren’t confident in their abilities to produce useful insights from their data. 

This translates to high demand for entry-level employees who are knowledgeable in using data analysis tools like SQL, Tableau, and Power BI. Creating data visualizations, dashboards, and databases are all specialized skills that businesses need to turn raw data into actionable decisions.

Common Career Paths

Applied Mathematics

Applied mathematics majors learn to apply core mathematical practices, like probability, statistics, and modeling, to solve real-world problems in various fields. 

Developing the Future of AI 

Mathematics provides the core foundations that are essential to the functioning of AI and machine learning models. 

Linear algebra, calculus, statistics, and even geometry are crucial for building smarter, less biased, and more efficient AI systems.

Several universities, like Harvard, are creating classes and majors that directly connect AI and mathematics. 

Students who major in applied mathematics are prepared to work in AI-centered roles in any sector, which is why unemployment levels are low (10%) compared to the other college majors on this list. 

These graduates are uniquely suited to innovate, troubleshoot, and build AI systems that can be implemented in high-demand industries like technology, finance, and healthcare.

AI-Driven Career Paths

Data Science

Data science is a broad major involving the entire data lifecycle—collection, cleaning, analysis, and results. Students typically take classes in advanced math, computer programming, algorithms, and statistics. 

Common Career Paths

Pursuing Higher Education

Much like majoring in data analytics, a degree in data science is highly regarded in 2026 because of the proliferation of data and the demand for business insights.

Data science graduates typically have more rigorous math, coding, and modeling experience than data analytics graduates. Many of these students are deeply interested in research, leading to a high percentage of students continuing their education (25%), often into PhD-level studies.

In fact, up to 80% of data scientists have a master’s or doctoral degree.

Those graduates who are satisfied with a bachelor’s degree are likely to land a job quickly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 35% increase in data scientist jobs by 2035.

Statistics

Statistics majors focus on mathematical theory, data analysis, and programming methods used to make predictions and decisions.

Common Career Paths

Low Employment Rates

Unfortunately, statistics majors can fall into the trap of knowing theory without knowing how to apply it in real-world circumstances. 

This isn’t a downfall for students who are looking at further education and research (26% of recent graduates). 

However, graduates who are looking for an entry-level job have less programming training than students in data science or computer science, which puts them at a disadvantage when competing for tech-forward roles. 

Mathematics

Studying pure mathematics involves developing deep knowledge of numbers, structures, and patterns, with an emphasis on proofs.

Common Career Paths

A Career for Academia

Majoring in pure mathematics sets up students for careers in academic research and teaching. That’s why nearly 40% of graduates in this major say they’re continuing their education—the highest level of any type of math major.

The graduates who are employed in entry-level tech roles most likely combined their mathematics major with a double-major or minor in adjacent fields like computer science, data science, or electrical engineering.

Highest-Paying Engineering Majors for Tech Careers

Computer Engineering

Computer engineering is a combination of electrical engineering and computer science. Learning focuses on both hardware design and software development.

Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering

While computer science enrollment has dropped substantially in recent years, computer engineering enrollment is growing overall.

Enrollment in computer engineering saw a small setback of 1.2% this year, but recorded a 6.5% increase between 2024 and 2025.

In the age of AI, computer engineering majors have a distinct edge over computer science students. This is because the major teaches a broader skillset. Computer science tends to be focused solely on software, but computer engineering blends hardware and software work, often incorporating electrical engineering principles. 

This results in graduates who have much broader career opportunities, many of which are resistant to being outsourced to AI. Specifically, computer engineers frequently go on to work on hardware/software projects in the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries, or work on the chips and processors that power AI.

High Salaries, Few Jobs for Software Engineers

Computer engineering’s status as the second-highest-paying tech major may be skewed by high-paying software engineering roles.

Even though they’re entry-level positions, software engineers regularly demand six-figure starting salaries (often around $150K) alongside attractive financial equity bonuses. This is especially true for graduates who get hired at Big Tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Google. 

However, these jobs are difficult to land, especially in the midst of mass layoffs at tech companies. Tech companies across the world cut 45K jobs in the first ten weeks of this year alone.

This is a contributing factor to the high unemployment rate (21%) among computer engineering majors.

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering students specialize in the design and development of electrical systems. Studies include advanced math, physics, and engineering topics like circuit theory and electromagnetics.

The high salary potential of electrical engineering is luring students to this major. 

There’s been a 23% increase in enrollment since 2023, signaling growing interest and a substantial pipeline of graduates who will replace aging Boomers in the industry.

However, to set themselves apart in an increasingly competitive job market, students are taking specialized classes in programming languages, data analytics, robotics, and systems engineering. This enables graduates to step into high-paying roles involving AI hardware, autonomous systems, and next-generation energy systems.

Energy Transition Job Outlook

Electrical engineers have the skills needed to work in high-demand energy transition careers like these.

Recent surveys show the global power sector will need up to 1.5M more engineers by 2030 in order to build and operate energy infrastructure. 

But, 40% of executives at energy companies already say they have trouble finding engineers to fill job openings.

Robotics and Automation Engineering

Robotics and automation engineering combines the fields of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Specialties can include developing automated systems for manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, and logistics applications.

Common Career Paths

A Niche Field

In many ways, robotics and automation engineering seems to be a mid-level major. 

Starting salaries are generous, but not high enough to place this major in the top five highest-paying tech majors. Employment and unemployment rates aren’t particularly notable, and many students continue on to get advanced degrees.

However, data suggests this major is a bit undervalued right now and may soon see a surge in starting salaries and employment rates.

Automation in industrial settings still remains fairly isolated. PwC reports that just 18% of industrial companies are highly-automating key processes but that number is likely to jump to 50% by 2030.

There’s likely to be a burst of job openings for robotics and automation engineers as companies transition to smart factories. These openings could cover tasks like designing, programming, testing, and deploying cobots, humanoids, or other AI-powered systems.

Look for the first signs of growth to come out of the Midwest, which accounts for about 80% of robot sales in the US.

Which Tech Major Is Best? 

In terms of earning potential, the data is clear: computer science majors command the highest starting salaries. 

But that’s also one of the majors that’s most susceptible to AI-related job losses.

Computer science classes are traditionally focused on manual coding and programming. This type of repetitive work is easily automated by AI. The same is true for computer programming majors.

If they don’t expand into broader engineering studies and develop other adaptable skills, these graduates are almost certainly going to face a shrinking job market.

In 2026, having a singular skillset, like being able to code or configure networks, isn’t sufficient. Employment rates are highest among majors that blend analytical skills and technical thinking, like data analytics, IT administration, and information science. 

Tech-oriented engineering majors also stand to benefit from their multidisciplinary skillsets. Specifically, this is likely to propel these majors into careers in some of the fastest-growing tech sectors like automation, energy, and data centers. 

But it’s likely that the most future-proof tech majors in 2026 are the ones who are actually inventing new AI systems. Graduates who contribute directly to the development of AI, like those in mathematics and engineering, are in a fundamentally secure position because they’re designing AI instead of competing with it.