Quick guide for new homebuyers – which degrees boost your odds and why.
Why education matters – fast facts
Higher earnings = easier mortgage qualification.
In 2024, median weekly earnings rose with education: workers with a bachelor’s or higher earn substantially more than those with only a high-school diploma. Higher pay improves your debt-to-income ratio and down-payment potential.
Income matters a lot.
The Federal Reserve shows homeownership strongly tracks family income – households earning $100k+ have far higher ownership rates than those under $50k.
Top degrees that move the needle (short list)
| Degree | Why | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering – fastest path to higher pay | Top starting and mid-career salaries; steady demand | Bigger income → larger mortgage capacity + easier down payment |
| Computer Science / IT – high pay + flexibility | Strong starting salaries, remote/hybrid options for side gigs, high job growth | Cashflow flexibility helps save for a down payment and handle mortgage qualifying ratios |
| Health professions (Nursing, Allied Health, Pharmacy) | Reliable demand, competitive pay, lower unemployment | Income stability reduces lender risk; easier to get favorable mortgage terms |
| Business / Finance / Accounting | Good early-career pay and clear career ladder; finance roles especially help with higher income and bonus potential | Higher earnings + financial literacy (budgeting, credit management) → smoother path to homebuying |
| STEM adjacent (Data Science, Economics, Math) | Strong salaries, cross-industry demand, fast growth | High earning potential with fewer barriers to entry than some engineering tracks |
Top-Earning Trades & Technical Jobs
If a college education isn’t in your future, you can still achieve homeownership in these fields. Trades can be stable and often require only a few years of training and apprenticeship avoiding large educational debts.
| Trade / Occupation | Training / Entry Path | Homeownership Pros – Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Electricians | High school + 4‑5‑yr apprenticeship + license | Steady demand, good base wages, strong for qualifying for mortgages – especially with experience |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | High school + apprenticeship/trade school + license | Essential trade; stable demand (residential & commercial); income allows reasonable mortgage size |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC) Technicians | Post‑secondary certificate or trade program + on‑the-job training / certification | Reliable demand (every home needs HVAC), manageable training path, good income potential over time |
| Carpenters | High school + apprenticeship / on‑the-job training | Steady work in residential building; earnings + possible overtime can support home purchase over time |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades | Years of experience in trade + leadership/hands‑on skills | Supervisory roles raise income significantly; once in this role, mortgage and down‑payment potential are much stronger |
Bottom line: A degree that leads to higher, steady income and low unemployment (engineering, CS, health, business, STEM) materially improves your chances of qualifying for a mortgage and affording a new-construction home. Education isn’t the only path as some trades can be a lucrative way to finance your way into a new home also.
Search the comprehensive new home listings on NewHomeSource and check out our first-time homebuyer articles.
Julie Gordey
A lifelong educator, Julie Gordey, is a retired school administrator. After years of focusing on education, this University of Texas graduate now travels and enjoys freelance writing for BDX and NewHomeSource.com.