When making decisions about pursuing a degree, you’re likely torn between the following questions:
In 2026, the answer to each of these questions will be based on a singular factor: whether your course of study falls under STEM or non-STEM.
While many non-STEM fields of study provide valuable, world-changing opportunities for graduating students, the area of immigration, post-graduation work permits, salary outcomes, and pathways to permanent residency is significantly biased towards STEM.
Here’s what it means to be a STEM or non-STEM student at the moment of graduation.
| Country | STEM Comparison | Key Insights |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3x OPT Work Time | STEM graduates are awarded an additional 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) work visa, which means 3x the work time of non-STEM graduates (36 months vs 12 months). 68,188 Indian students were on OPT in 2021–2022, the highest number of any country. In 2019, there were 78,000 Indian students on STEM OPT vs 30,000 students from China. |
| Germany | Lower Salary Threshold | The salary threshold for the EU Blue Card skilled work visa is significantly lower (by approximately €11,500 or ₹10 lakhs) for STEM occupations and shortage occupations. Clearing the lower threshold for STEM is much easier for fresh graduates. |
| Canada | In-demand Occupations | Canada’s new Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) system favours STEM, healthcare, trades, education, and agriculture students. Many non-STEM programs, especially those at private institutions, are no longer eligible for PGWP if they’re less than two years in duration. Additionally, Express Entry (EE) has category-based draws that prioritise STEM, healthcare, and French language proficiency. |
| Australia | Longer 485 Visa Duration | Bachelor’s degree holders in non-STEM fields can stay for 2 years on a 485 post-graduation work visa, whereas STEM students can stay for 2+ years with a possible extension. For research master’s and PhD graduates, post-graduation work rights extend to 3+ years with a possible regional bonus for STEM students. Non-STEM students in major cities only get 2 years of post-graduation work rights. |
| Ireland | Occupations on Critical Skills List | Ireland maintains a Critical Skills Occupation List of in-demand professions, including many technology and engineering fields. Critical Skills permit holders can bring dependents directly and have a faster route to permanent residency (PR). Non-STEM students can apply under the standard work permit regime. |
| UAE | Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030 | The UAE’s long-term growth plan prioritises technology, healthcare, and renewable energy, creating opportunities for STEM graduates. Khalifa University and other UAE educational institutions offer scholarships to students pursuing STEM courses. |
| Sample Field | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Science/Software Engineering | $85,000 – $130,000 |
| Data Science/AI/ML | $90,000 – $140,000 |
| Mechanical/Electrical Engineering | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Pharmacy/Biotech | $65,000 – $90,000 |
| Business/Management | $55,000 – $80,000 |
| Humanities/Social Sciences | $40,000 – $55,000 |
Gap vs non-STEM: 2–3x higher salaries at entry level
| Sample Field | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Science/Software Engineering | €50,000 – €70,000 |
| Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical) | €48,000 – €65,000 |
| Data Science/AI | €55,000 – €75,000 |
| Business/Management | €42,000 – €55,000 |
| Humanities/Arts | €30,000 – €40,000 |
Gap vs non-STEM: 40–80% higher salaries
| Sample Field | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Engineering/IT | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Engineering | $65,000 – $85,000 |
| Data Science/Analytics | $70,000 – $90,000 |
| Accounting/Finance | $55,000 – $70,000 |
| Marketing/Communications | $50,000 – $62,000 |
| Arts/Humanities | $48,000 – $55,000 |
| Sample Field | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Science/Software Engineering | $60,000 – $90,000 |
| Engineering | $55,000 – $75,000 |
| Data Science/AI | $65,000 – $95,000 |
| Business/Finance | $55,000 – $72,000 |
| Humanities/Social Sciences | $42,000 – $55,000 |
Here are the recommended fields of study for those committed to a STEM degree:
If you’re set on a non-STEM degree, here are the recommended fields of study:
| Area of Study | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| General business management | Oversupply in this area makes it challenging to get good outcomes |
| Marketing and communications | Competitive area; specialisation in digital marketing can help |
| Humanities and social sciences | Beautiful but challenging area; requires a master’s or professional conversion to get good outcomes |
| Fine arts and design | Specialisation and a strong portfolio are required for good outcomes |
If you’re set on a STEM degree, focus on:
If you’re set on a non-STEM degree, focus on:
If you’re undecided about which field of study to pursue, consider going with a hybrid approach, such as:
Here are five important considerations when choosing a field of study:
If you have negative answers to any of the above questions, it might be a good time to rethink your field of study or your destination country.
To conclude, the advantages of STEM over non-STEM extend to the area of immigration and work authorization. For almost all major destinations, STEM graduates have better odds of getting work authorization and better starting salaries.
This does not mean that non-STEM students should not pursue their passions, but it does mean that non-STEM students should be strategic about which area of study they choose and which country to study in.
The more competitive fields of study (nursing, healthcare, pharmacy, education, and accounting) should be prioritised for non-STEM students, and they should also consider getting the relevant certifications (CPA, ACCA, CFA, CIMA, and TEFL/TESOL). If possible, they should get at least two years of work experience in India before relocating abroad.
Hybrid STEM/non-STEM areas of study (data analytics, financial engineering, health informatics, educational technology, and bioinformatics) provide an attractive middle ground between a pure STEM and a pure non-STEM field of study.
We can summarise our final thoughts on choosing a field of study for studying abroad as follows: the best students do not blindly follow their passions but instead understand the system and navigate it to achieve their goals. Choose wisely.
– The Author is Mr. Ajay Thiara, Founder & Managing Director of 360 College Review
