I recently commented on engineering starting salaries, noting that according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, entry-level engineers can expect to earn more than their counterparts in computer science, business, health science, and education (read the original post here). A master's degree can boost starting salaries further, according to an article in the Washington Post.
Indeed, Master's degrees are increasing in popularity as students seek higher salaries, reports the Post. The Post quotes Katherine S. Newman, dean of arts and sciences at Johns Hopkins, as saying, “The master’s degree has become a much more important part of the American mobility story. Once upon a time, American industry would have expected people to learn on the job. Increasingly, employers are looking to universities. We are becoming more of a training machine for American industry at the high-skill end.”
The Post article presents a regional data point for EE students: “Virginia data show that those who earn a master’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering in the state command a median salary after graduation of about $75,000. A bachelor’s degree in the same field draws $56,000.”
The article notes that emerging online access to master's degree programs is a big draw, offering flexibility for students who continue to work while pursuing advanced degrees.