Degrees ranked by graduate earnings (ELA data)
Looking for an answer to what the ranking of degrees by graduate earnings looks like? The most reliable public source of this information in Poland is the ELA (Economic Fates of Graduates) system, run by nauka.gov.pl. It shows indicative earnings for graduates of specific degrees and universities in their first years after graduation, as well as how long it takes them to find their first job.
How to read ELA data (and what it doesn't tell you)
ELA is based on data from Poland's social insurance institution (ZUS), so it reflects actual earnings from employment and civil-law contracts — a big advantage over surveys. Still, it has limits: the data reflects average figures for a given graduating cohort, doesn't fully capture working abroad or some forms of self-employment, and earnings vary a lot between specific universities, cities, and specializations within the same field. That's why group-level summaries, like the table below, are best treated as a first step rather than the final answer — the next step should be checking the data for the specific university you're interested in.
An indicative ranking of degrees by graduate earnings
The table below orders selected degree groups from those with indicatively higher starting earnings to those with lower ones, based on general trends from ELA data and the Occupation Barometer. These are averaged, indicative ranges, not a guarantee of a specific salary.
| Degree / field group | Indicative graduate earnings (ELA) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Computer science and related fields | High, clearly above the national average | Rising |
| Engineering and technical fields | Above average | Stable / rising |
| Medicine and medical fields | High (after a longer education path) | Stable |
| Economics, finance, management | Medium to high, depending on specialization | Stable |
| Law | Medium at the start, rising with experience | Stable |
| Social sciences and humanities | Medium to lower at the start | Varies by specialization |
| Education and pedagogy | Below the national average | Stable |
Important caveat: this is indicative, averaged data for entire groups of degrees. In practice, earnings vary a great deal depending on the specific specialization, university, city, and individual skills — always check the ELA data for the specific degree you're interested in rather than relying solely on averaged categories. The "rising" or "stable" trend in the table refers to the general direction of change across recent graduating cohorts, not a specific forecast for coming years.
Examples of specific professions
For a more detailed picture, check out our in-depth articles, such as how much a programmer earns or how much a psychologist earns. Our overview of the most profitable degree courses in Poland can also be useful, covering the topic more broadly than a single earnings ranking.
Earnings aren't everything
A high salary range shouldn't be the only selection criterion — a degree that doesn't match your aptitudes can lead to burnout or a career change after a few years despite good starting pay. It's also worth looking at jobs of the future in Poland to assess not just current earnings but also the long-term stability of a given path. A good check-in question is whether you can picture yourself doing this job for a decade or more — if the answer is "probably not," it's worth factoring that in regardless of the salary.
How earnings change over a career
ELA data mostly captures the first years after graduation, but it's worth remembering that the starting ranking doesn't always match the ranking of earnings after 5 or 10 years on the job. Some degrees offer lower starting pay but grow faster with experience and promotion (for example, law or some social-science fields with a clear specialization path), while others start high but grow less dynamically afterward. That's why, when choosing a degree, it's worth asking not just "how much will I earn at the start" but also "what does a typical earnings trajectory look like in this profession over the long run" — though it's worth stating clearly that this kind of long-term forecast is even more indicative than data on the first years of a career.
How to use this ranking in practice
Treat this table as a starting point for your own research, not a final answer. Check the ELA data for 2–3 specific degrees and universities you're interested in, compare them with the Occupation Barometer for your region, and then weigh that against your own interests. If you need help putting this together, take our free, 10-minute degree and career matching test — it shows degrees and jobs matched to your profile along with indicative earnings data.
Summary
A ranking of degrees by graduate earnings is a useful rough map, but not a roadmap to a single correct decision. ELA data is best combined with your own aptitudes, career development plans, and a conversation with a careers adviser.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ELA system and where does its data come from?
ELA (Economic Fates of Graduates) is a system run by nauka.gov.pl that combines university data with Poland's social insurance (ZUS) records, showing indicative earnings and time-to-employment for graduates of specific degrees and universities.
Which degree gives the highest earnings after graduation?
Indicatively, computer science, engineering and technical, and medical degrees rank highest in ELA data, but exact results depend on the university, specialization, and region.
Is ELA data 100% reliable?
It's one of the most reliable public sources in Poland, based on social insurance data, but it has limits — it doesn't fully capture working abroad or all forms of employment, so treat it as indicative.
Should I choose a degree based on earnings alone?
We don't recommend it — matching your own aptitudes and interests has a huge impact on job satisfaction and long-term career success, so it's best to combine earnings data with other criteria.