Going to college is a serious investment. Over 44 million Americans collectively hold nearly $1.5 trillion in student debt because they know that earning a college degree is crucial to get ahead in the modern economy.

But some college majors pay off more than others. According to the Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce, early childhood education majors report median earnings of $36,000 a year while petroleum engineering majors see median earnings closer to $120,000. Overall, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors consistently have some of the highest rates of employment and the highest incomes.