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Cheapest Degrees That Pay Well (2026)

100 programs ranked · Updated 2026

Programs under $40K tuition where graduates still earn $50K+ in Year 1.

Programs Ranked

100

Avg Earnings

$87,937/yr

Avg DW Score

76/100

#1 Program

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration

Sonoma State University

Cheapest Degrees That Pay Well

Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.

#	Program	DW Score	Earnings	Tuition (4yr)	AI Risk	ROI
1	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA	91 88–91	$125,646/yr	High	39.1x	$32,760
2	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA	91 88–92	$124,392/yr	High	56.0x	$28,220
3	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA	91 88–91	$119,356/yr	High	38.2x	$31,304
4	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA	91 88–91	$117,532/yr	High	47.6x	$29,696
5	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA	91 88–91	$117,088/yr	High	43.4x	$29,748
6	Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Southwestern Oklahoma State University · Weatherford, OK	78 75–78	$115,284/yr	High	33.7x	$33,180
7	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research CUNY York College · Jamaica, NY	65 64–65	$105,425/yr	Moderate	34.8x	$29,432
8	Allied Health Diagnostic California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA	83 81–83	$100,724/yr	Moderate	36.4x	$28,380
9	Business Administration Bismarck State College · Bismarck, ND	89 85–90	$100,668/yr	High	61.8x	$20,780
10	Construction Management California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA	75 71–76	$99,649/yr	High	34.3x	$28,220
11	Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies California State University Maritime Academy · Vallejo, CA	66 64–66	$98,661/yr	Moderate	31.1x	$30,688
12	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Farmingdale State College · Farmingdale, NY	76 74–75	$95,766/yr	Moderate	26.5x	$34,304
13	Computer Software and Media Applications Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT	76 70–77	$95,292/yr	Very High	27.7x	$33,200
14	Computer Science Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN	90 83–91	$94,786/yr	Very High	36.4x	$39,968
15	General Sales Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT	86 84–87	$93,151/yr	High	29.3x	$33,200
16	Allied Health Diagnostic CUNY New York City College of Technology · Brooklyn, NY	70 68–70	$92,818/yr	Moderate	30.6x	$29,328
17	Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering SUNY Maritime College · Throggs Neck, NY	76 73–76	$92,559/yr	High	33.7x	$34,160
18	Computer/Information Technology Administration Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT	77 71–79	$92,416/yr	Very High	26.8x	$33,200
19	Mechanical Engineering California State University Maritime Academy · Vallejo, CA	79 75–80	$92,315/yr	Very High	36.4x	$30,688
20	Industrial Engineering SUNY Maritime College · Throggs Neck, NY	78 75–78	$91,470/yr	High	35.1x	$34,160
21	Construction Engineering California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA	80 77–81	$90,836/yr	High	41.0x	$30,408
22	Computer and Information Sciences, General University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	91 84–92	$90,651/yr	Very High	49.2x	$25,524
23	Computer and Information Sciences, General University of Florida-Online · Gainesville, FL	91 84–92	$90,651/yr	Very High	81.6x	$15,504
24	Computer Science Brigham Young University · Provo, UT	90 83–91	$90,625/yr	Very High	47.1x	$25,984
25	Computer Science University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC	90 83–91	$90,293/yr	Very High	33.8x	$35,956
26	Computer Science University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT	90 82–91	$90,282/yr	Very High	30.2x	$37,260
27	Computer Engineering Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN	86 80–88	$89,965/yr	Very High	28.5x	$39,968
28	Computer Engineering University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT	74 67–75	$89,605/yr	Very High	23.0x	$37,260
29	Computer and Information Sciences, General University of New Mexico-Main Campus · Albuquerque, NM	91 84–92	$89,498/yr	Very High	34.8x	$32,460
30	Construction Management California State University-Chico · Chico, CA	86 83–87	$89,075/yr	High	35.2x	$32,256
31	Construction Engineering Technologies California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA	74 71–76	$89,003/yr	Very High	40.4x	$28,032
32	Computer Engineering Brigham Young University · Provo, UT	87 81–89	$88,785/yr	Very High	55.5x	$25,984
33	Construction Engineering Technologies California State University-Chico · Chico, CA	62 58–63	$88,648/yr	Very High	26.5x	$32,256
34	Computer Science West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX	89 82–91	$88,391/yr	Very High	29.5x	$36,404
35	Air Transportation Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus · Portales, NM	61 59–62	$88,085/yr	Moderate	31.1x	$27,452
36	Construction Engineering Technologies California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA	74 71–75	$87,960/yr	Very High	36.4x	$29,756
37	Computer Engineering University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	87 80–88	$87,949/yr	Very High	44.0x	$25,524
38	Electrical Engineering Technologies University of Arkansas Grantham · LIttle Rock, AR	59 57–60	$87,606/yr	High	25.5x	$33,120
39	Marine Transportation California State University Maritime Academy · Vallejo, CA	70 70–70	$87,464/yr	Low	37.1x	$30,688
40	Chemical Engineering Lamar University · Beaumont, TX	77 74–78	$87,284/yr	High	30.8x	$34,760
41	Marine Transportation Northwestern Michigan College · Traverse City, MI	71 71–70	$87,281/yr	Low	61.2x	$21,400
42	Chemical Engineering University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	77 74–78	$87,164/yr	High	40.0x	$25,524
43	Fire Protection University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	64 60–64	$86,740/yr	Moderate	33.0x	$25,524
44	Fire Protection University of Florida-Online · Gainesville, FL	65 60–65	$86,740/yr	Moderate	54.9x	$15,504
45	Computer/Information Technology Administration University of Arkansas Grantham · LIttle Rock, AR	76 70–78	$86,607/yr	Very High	25.1x	$33,120
46	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research College of Staten Island CUNY · Staten Island, NY	75 74–74	$86,226/yr	Moderate	30.2x	$29,960
47	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research CUNY Hunter College · New York, NY	75 74–75	$86,173/yr	Moderate	31.5x	$29,528
48	Electrical University of Houston · Houston, TX	77 73–78	$86,136/yr	Very High	26.6x	$38,844
49	Mining and Mineral Engineering West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV	73 70–74	$85,897/yr	High	22.9x	$38,592
50	Systems Engineering University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	77 73–78	$85,698/yr	Very High	41.3x	$25,524
51	Science, Technology and Society Troy University · Troy, AL	58 58–58	$85,672/yr	Moderate	20.9x	$39,168
52	Business Administration University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC	87 83–87	$85,618/yr	High	33.9x	$35,956
53	Computer Engineering Utah Valley University · Orem, UT	86 80–88	$85,564/yr	Very High	39.1x	$25,080
54	Industrial Production Technologies Brigham Young University-Idaho · Rexburg, ID	63 62–63	$85,411/yr	Moderate	44.9x	$18,624
55	Electrical University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	77 73–79	$85,243/yr	Very High	39.8x	$25,524
56	Industrial Production Technologies Lamar University · Beaumont, TX	71 70–71	$84,746/yr	Moderate	21.8x	$34,760
57	Chemical Engineering University of Houston · Houston, TX	76 73–77	$84,468/yr	High	24.5x	$38,844
58	Electrical Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN	76 72–77	$84,300/yr	Very High	23.0x	$39,968
59	Computer and Information Sciences, General Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT	90 83–91	$84,242/yr	Very High	30.3x	$33,200
60	Chemical Engineering University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI	64 61–65	$84,047/yr	High	22.8x	$35,336
61	Allied Health Diagnostic Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL	69 68–69	$83,927/yr	Moderate	35.1x	$23,232
62	Finance and Financial Management Services Brigham Young University · Provo, UT	90 87–92	$83,876/yr	Very High	44.7x	$25,984
63	Computer/Information Technology Administration Brigham Young University · Provo, UT	76 70–78	$83,533/yr	Very High	31.1x	$25,984
64	Electrical University of Wyoming · Laramie, WY	65 61–66	$83,493/yr	Very High	29.1x	$27,752
65	Computer Software and Media Applications University of Phoenix-Arizona · Phoenix, AZ	80 73–81	$83,476/yr	Very High	16.3x	$38,208
66	Manufacturing Engineering Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA	66 63–67	$83,438/yr	High	34.3x	$23,620
67	Industrial Engineering North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC	76 73–76	$83,427/yr	High	33.1x	$26,992
68	Electrical Lamar University · Beaumont, TX	76 72–78	$83,155/yr	Very High	27.2x	$34,760
69	Construction Management Weber State University · Ogden, UT	74 70–75	$82,914/yr	High	31.4x	$25,564
70	Fire Protection Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL	75 70–75	$82,718/yr	Moderate	36.8x	$23,232
71	Data Processing Bellevue College · Bellevue, WA	65 60–66	$81,892/yr	High	46.6x	$17,220
72	Construction Management Central Washington University · Ellensburg, WA	85 82–86	$81,666/yr	High	27.2x	$36,768
73	Construction Engineering Technologies San Diego State University · San Diego, CA	60 57–61	$81,608/yr	Very High	23.6x	$33,160
74	Chemical Engineering North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC	76 73–77	$81,492/yr	High	28.1x	$35,580
75	Industrial Engineering Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN	75 73–76	$81,379/yr	High	24.1x	$39,968
76	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Central Washington University · Ellensburg, WA	78 73–78	$81,377/yr	Very High	21.1x	$36,768
77	Dental Support Services Foothill College · Los Altos Hills, CA	64 63–64	$81,255/yr	Moderate	128.8x	$6,260
78	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research University of Alaska Anchorage · Anchorage, AK	63 62–62	$81,203/yr	Moderate	25.8x	$30,264
79	Industrial Engineering North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC	75 73–76	$81,055/yr	High	26.1x	$35,580
80	Computer and Information Sciences, General Brigham Young University · Provo, UT	90 83–91	$80,934/yr	Very High	46.6x	$25,984
81	Mechatronics & Robotics Utah Valley University · Orem, UT	63 60–64	$80,491/yr	High	31.1x	$25,080
82	Mechanical Engineering Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN	76 73–78	$80,374/yr	Very High	23.4x	$39,968
83	Civil Engineering Montana Technological University · Butte, MT	66 63–67	$80,327/yr	High	23.9x	$32,200
84	Electromechanical Instrumentation Murray State University · Murray, KY	57 56–58	$79,974/yr	Moderate	19.6x	$38,832
85	Information Science/Studies Utah Valley University · Orem, UT	86 80–87	$79,918/yr	Very High	39.5x	$25,080
86	Marine Transportation SUNY Maritime College · Throggs Neck, NY	68 69–68	$79,797/yr	Low	28.7x	$34,160
87	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Brigham Young University · Provo, UT	78 74–79	$79,777/yr	Very High	29.7x	$25,984
88	Computer/Information Technology Administration University of Nebraska at Omaha · Omaha, NE	75 69–77	$79,671/yr	Very High	22.8x	$33,480
89	Manufacturing Engineering California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA	76 74–77	$79,549/yr	High	30.4x	$29,756
90	Mechanical Engineering University of Alaska Fairbanks · Fairbanks, AK	76 73–78	$79,438/yr	Very High	26.4x	$34,560
91	Construction Engineering Technologies University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	73 70–74	$79,410/yr	Very High	43.2x	$25,524
92	Materials Engineering University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	73 71–74	$79,200/yr	High	32.7x	$25,524
93	Quality Control Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL	75 73–75	$78,532/yr	High	38.5x	$23,232
94	Engineering-Related Technologies California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA	58 57–58	$78,518/yr	Moderate	27.1x	$27,920
95	Aerospace California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA	77 74–77	$78,320/yr	High	31.6x	$29,756
96	Materials Engineering Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN	61 58–62	$78,265/yr	High	18.6x	$39,968
97	Engineering, Other SUNY Polytechnic Institute · Utica, NY	61 59–62	$78,264/yr	High	21.8x	$34,312
98	Industrial Production Technologies Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN	60 59–60	$78,215/yr	Moderate	18.6x	$39,968
99	Allied Health Diagnostic Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA	78 77–77	$78,175/yr	Moderate	23.5x	$33,912
100	Mechanical Engineering West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX	75 72–77	$78,028/yr	Very High	23.6x	$36,404

Methodology

Programs are ranked by DegreeWorth Score (0–100), combining graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and tuition ROI. Earnings data is from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (earnings, debt), Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 (employment projections), OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs research (AI task exposure), Felten et al. AIOE. Last updated 2025.