Higher pay leads to surge in STEM graduates. Science, tech majors are 'the most lucrative,' says expert

Getty ImagesYourearnings potentiallargely depends on your choice of major incollege, many studies show.When it comes to the highest-paying bachelor's degrees, engineering and other STEM-related fields of study continue to dominate. STEM is shorthand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.Students are taking note, according to Eric Greenberg, president ofGreenberg Educational Group, a New York-based consulting firm.More from Personal Finance:These top colleges all promise no student loan debtPublic colleges aren't as cheap as you'd thinkShould you apply early to college?"Today a lot of people will pick a niche program because there are more opportunities there," Greenberg said. "The STEM majors tend to be the most lucrative and that's bringing people in."Highest-paying majors are mostly STEMPayscale's recentcollege salary reportfound that petroleum engineering is currently the highest-paying major overall. Graduates in the field earn nearly six figures just starting out an...