CollegeRanker · Master's
Master's Degrees, Ranked by Outcomes
A master’s can open career ceilings — or add debt without proportionate return. We ranked every master’s program by salary, growth, ROI, and school-level outcomes so you can tell the difference. Federal data and Opportunity Insights, never ads or surveys.
44
Master's programs
7
Fields covered
$165,000
Top median salary
8
Rankings
Why the Master's Matters
A master’s should open doors, not just add debt. The ROI varies dramatically by field — some master’s degrees double median earnings, while others barely move the needle. We sorted by the ones that actually pay off.
Key insight
Before committing to a master’s, compare the median salary bump against the total cost of attendance (including opportunity cost of 1–2 years out of the workforce). If the payback period exceeds 5 years, the credential may not be worth it.
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Find Your Master's Program
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Highest-Paying Master's Degrees
Fastest-Growing Master's Fields
Top Master's Rankings
Schools ranked by what graduates earn, how far they climb, and whether the degree pays for itself.
Best Master's in Computer Science
Best Master's in Engineering
Best Master's in Business
Best Master's in Health Professions
Best Master's in Psychology
Best Master's in Education
Best Master's in Public Health
Best Master's in Healthcare Administration
Healthcare
17 master's programs ranked by outcomes
Nursing (MSN)
$129,480 median · 40% growth
Public Health (MPH)
$78,520 median · 5% growth
Healthcare Administration (MHA)
$110,680 median · 29% growth
Health Informatics
$104,830 median · 16% growth
Physician Assistant
$130,020 median · 28% growth
Occupational Therapy
$96,370 median · 12% growth
Counseling
$53,490 median · 18% growth
Social Work (MSW)
$55,350 median · 7% growth
Speech-Language Pathology
$89,290 median · 19% growth
Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
$126,260 median · 40% growth
Nurse-Midwifery (MSN/DNP)
$129,650 median · 40% growth
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
$126,260 median · 40% growth
Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP)
$126,260 median · 40% growth
Adult-Gerontology NP (AGNP)
$126,260 median · 40% growth
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
$126,260 median · 40% growth
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
$126,260 median · 40% growth
Women's Health NP (WHNP)
$126,260 median · 40% growth
Business
13 master's programs ranked by outcomes
Business Administration (MBA)
$125,000 median · 6% growth
Accounting
$98,000 median · 5% growth
Finance
$139,790 median · 17% growth
Marketing
$98,000 median · 8% growth
Human Resources Management
$130,000 median · 8% growth
Project Management
$98,580 median · 6% growth
MBA — Finance Concentration
$139,790 median · 17% growth
MBA — Healthcare Management
$110,680 median · 29% growth
MBA — Technology Management
$148,000 median · 15% growth
MBA — Marketing Concentration
$98,000 median · 8% growth
MBA — Entrepreneurship
$125,000 median · 6% growth
MBA — Supply Chain & Operations
$98,580 median · 18% growth
Executive MBA (EMBA)
$165,000 median · 6% growth
Technology
4 master's programs ranked by outcomes
Social Sciences
3 master's programs ranked by outcomes
Humanities
3 master's programs ranked by outcomes
Education
2 master's programs ranked by outcomes
Public Service
2 master's programs ranked by outcomes
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