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An engineering bachelors degree or a pHd in Liberal Arts?
Let's say for arguments sake that they are both from good state schools.
Engineering by a long shot.
Majoring in engineering from even the most rinky dink university is more lucrative in the long run than a PhD in a softology from an Ivy League school - especially if things like student loans are factored in. But, even if both educations were free, a person will make a lot more money and be in demand and have more opportunities and choices with an BSEE than with a liberal arts doctorate.
The starting salary for an undergraduate in a STEM field like engineering will often be greater than that of a PhD in liberal arts.
But over a person's lifetime, there is NO guarantee that the engineering graduate will do any better. Its just as likely that the the PhD can end up in management, as a consultant, as a high-paid journalist, in the higher ranks of government or civil service, and of course, in academia. Yes, it does depend on the field, but the same canb e said of engineering. And there are plenty of undergraduate engineering majors who because of bad timing, bad luck, or thier own incomeptnece, will never make more than six figures in any year of their life.
The starting salary for an undergraduate in a STEM field like engineering will often be greater than that of a PhD in liberal arts.
But over a person's lifetime, there is NO guarantee that the engineering graduate will do any better. Its just as likely that the the PhD can end up in management, as a consultant, as a high-paid journalist, in the higher ranks of government or civil service, and of course, in academia. Yes, it does depend on the field, but the same canb e said of engineering. And there are plenty of undergraduate engineering majors who because of bad timing, bad luck, or thier own incomeptnece, will never make more than six figures in any year of their life.
And a lottery winner will beat both of them.
You're comparing 1 in 20 to 1 in 20.
Sure one in 20 PhDs in LA will make it in some high paying management position and 1 in 20 engineers will end up unemployed for a couple months a couple times in their careers.
An engineering bachelors degree or a pHd in Liberal Arts?
Let's say for arguments sake that they are both from good state schools.
Is there a general engineering degree/program? I have never heard of one, yet, practically everyone who posts something regarding engineering in this forum seems to think so. All engineers are problem solvers for the most part as that is what engineers do: solve problems. Yet, what kind? Electrical? Civil? Mechanical? Petroleum? And so on, with the added necessity that even within the broad areas such electrical, civil, and mechanical, come subfields: aeronautical, industrial, and on and on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by plmokn
Engineering by a long shot.
Majoring in engineering from even the most rinky dink university is more lucrative in the long run than a PhD in a softology from an Ivy League school - especially if things like student loans are factored in. But, even if both educations were free, a person will make a lot more money and be in demand and have more opportunities and choices with an BSEE than with a liberal arts doctorate.
Engineers tend to have higher starting salaries, yet, also have a tendency to hit the pay ceiling earlier on in their careers unless they move up into management. A Ph.D in a Liberal Art has far more flexibility....even going as far as to be hidden from a resume without compromising any real job-related skill.
Wow, what a wild deviation. BA in engineering vs PhD in a liberal art? how can anyone compare the two? For the most part, a person who does a PhD in a liberal art usually is very committed to that field and is doing what they want despite the $ they may or may not make. That really matter a lot.
But to anwer this silly question more directly, I would say engineering. If you put the word engineer in any title, it'll add a ton. For example a person who calls themselves a food engineer is more likely to get hired than one who calls themselves a chef (that's a joke). But yeah, an engineering degree from most any school will make someone an OK prospect for a job.
Depends on what the liberal arts major is. Let's take Psych. With a Psych D, I'd say if you went into academia, on the high university end, your salary could crush that of an engineer. As a Psych D outside of academia, probably on even footing with most engineers.
English or History professors can make really good $ teaching at the top universities. More than most engineers.
I'd say job prospects are better for engineers. It's not clear what you would do with a pHd in a lot of liberal arts fields if you don't go into academia.
Job security, I don't know, but it's not good for most engineers.
Majoring in engineering from even the most rinky dink university is more lucrative in the long run than a PhD in a softology from an Ivy League school - especially if things like student loans are factored in. But, even if both educations were free, a person will make a lot more money and be in demand and have more opportunities and choices with an BSEE than with a liberal arts doctorate.
Well, what if you would be a terrible engineer but the greatest tenured history professor? The way I look at it, you have to play to your strengths. Doing something that you are motivated to succeed at is probably a better policy than doing something you perceive as more practical.
If you want to hear about the Ph.D. humanities market, have a look at the Chronicle of Higher Education.
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