To determine which conclusion is best supported by the information in the chart, we need to compare the average starting salaries of various major categories with the overall average starting salary. The overall average starting salary provided in the chart is [tex]$48,707. Let's analyze the given major categories one by one and see if their average starting salaries are above or below this overall average.
1. Engineering:
- Average starting salary: \$[/tex]62,891
- Comparison with overall average: \[tex]$62,891 > \$[/tex]48,707
2. Computer science:
- Average starting salary: \[tex]$62,103
- Comparison with overall average: \$[/tex]62,103 > \[tex]$48,707
3. Business:
- Average starting salary: \$[/tex]57,229
- Comparison with overall average: \[tex]$57,229 > \$[/tex]48,707
4. Communications:
- Average starting salary: \[tex]$48,253
- Comparison with overall average: \$[/tex]48,253 < \[tex]$48,707
5. Math and sciences:
- Average starting salary: \$[/tex]44,299
- Comparison with overall average: \[tex]$44,299 < \$[/tex]48,707
6. Education:
- Average starting salary: \[tex]$40,267
- Comparison with overall average: \$[/tex]40,267 < \[tex]$48,707
7. Humanities and social sciences:
- Average starting salary: \$[/tex]38,049
- Comparison with overall average: \[tex]$38,049 < \$[/tex]48,707
Now, let's summarize the findings:
- Majors in Engineering and Computer Science have starting salaries that are above the overall average.
- Majors in Business also have starting salaries above the overall average.
- Majors in Communications, Math and sciences, Education, and Humanities and social sciences have starting salaries below the overall average.
Given these comparisons, the best-supported conclusion is:
Majors in engineering and tech lead to above-average starting salaries.
This conclusion is supported because both Engineering and Computer Science, which are considered tech-related fields, have average starting salaries that are above the overall average starting salary of $48,707.
