California, Washington Degrees Earn Highest Salaries, Study Finds

A TIME ranking named Stanford University the top overall best college in its inaugural America’s Best Colleges of 2026-2027, highlighting Stanford’s strong student outcomes, learning environment, and appeal. In California, a HEA Group study finds that math and computer science lead to the highest early-career salaries, near $140,000, with computer engineering close behind at about $125,000 and nursing also in the high tier; humanities and social sciences tend to yield lower earnings. A Los Angeles Times summary of the same HEA Group data reinforces the stark split between STEM and humanities in earnings, while noting broader questions about the value of a college degree amid rising costs. Separately, a Northwest-focused piece reports that Washington colleges offer unusual majors, such as winemaking at Washington State University (with winemakers earning around $73,800 in Washington) and Canadian studies at the University of Washington, illustrating opportunities for niche programs. Taken together, the reports underscore that degree choice heavily influences early salaries, with STEM fields typically yielding higher pay and humanities trailing, even as institutions emphasize a mix of prestige and specialized programs.