Best High Salary Courses After 12th to Study Abroad in 2026
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The journey through class 12th for any Indian student is both emotional and full of anxiety. While students want to create lifelong memories at this last step of their school journey, they also need to ensure that they choose the right track and high salary courses after 12th to study abroad.
There are various high salary courses available after 12th, based on the subject/streams you choose, like PCM, PCMB, commerce or arts. If you are still in class 12th and want to pick the right high salary course after 12th for your abroad education, then you need to consider various factors such as your strengths, aptitude, interest, budget, living conditions, proximity from India and other preferences. You need to weigh out each of these separately and choose a course that will not only ensure that you get paid well after its completion but also give you lifelong happiness and satisfaction, as this course will ultimately turn into your career.
Students must note that some courses after 12th are professional courses, and their curriculum is sufficient in a way that they make you ready for jobs right after completion. While some other courses may require you to earn a postgraduate or master's degree to get a good high paying job in the future. The latter mainly includes core science disciplines that are taught in theoretical concepts and require one to go for a master's to achieve a thorough understanding of the subject.
- Is Salary Everything? Look Beyond the Numbers while Choosing Your Choose
- Top 10 High Salary Courses after 12th
- Stream-Specific High Paying Courses After 12th to Study Abroad
- Average Salaries of High Salary Courses After 12th
- Beyond Streams: Career Paths After 12th to Obtaining High Salaries
- Factors to Consider for Choosing the Right Course Abroad After 12th
- Best Courses After 12th with High Salary Abroad
- High Salary Courses After 12th FAQs
Is Salary Everything? Look Beyond the Numbers while Choosing Your Choose
Before you check the high salary courses after class 12th, know that the salary potential is affected by various factors such as the industry, experience, skills, qualifications, recommendations, the location where you choose to work and more. Remember that a high salary is not definitive but a relative aspect of the job sector you choose which means that a salary should not be the sole criterion for choosing your career. Instead, you must look for other factors as well like the companies/sectors you want to ultimately settle in or the work you want to do for the rest of your life.
Even though you can change your stream and even career line later in life, spending your resources on the right choices right from the beginning may prove advantageous. While many courses provide a promising and lucrative career, there are other courses as well that may pay well according to your expertise and decision-making skills in the field.
Imagine yourself sitting in a big, lavish cabin but not interested in the work you do anymore. That can be the case if you basis your career on high income only. Hence, while choosing a course, you must not fall for the high salary gimmick. Instead, you must choose a course that is future-oriented and the one that serves your purpose and interests alongside paying well.
Top 10 High Salary Courses after 12th
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Below is a list and summary of the high salary courses after 12th, along with their course duration, general eligibility criteria and career prospects. Note that when studied these courses abroad, your earning potential increases multi-folds.👇
| High Salary Courses after 12th in 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | Duration | General Eligibility Requirements | Career Prospects |
| MBBS | 5-6 years, including a mandatory internship of 1 year |
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| B.Tech Computer Science | 4 years |
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| Commercial Pilot Training | 1-2 years |
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| B.Tech in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering | 4 years |
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| B.Tech in Civil Engineering | 4 years | Class 12th with PCM |
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| LLB | 3-4 years |
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| B.Tech in Chemical Engineering | 4 years | Class 12 with PCM |
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| B.Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy) | 4 years |
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| Biotechnology/Biomedical Engineering | 4 years | 10+2 with PCB or PCM, depending on the specific program (Engineering vs. Science focus) |
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| Data Science and Analytics | 3-4 years | 10+2 with Math as a compulsory subject. |
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Stream-Specific High Paying Courses After 12th to Study Abroad
You cannot bucket out the best career options after 12th with a high salary based on one criterion. So, below are some of the best career streams that can help you get the highest paying jobs after completion.
- Science Stream (PCM): There is no limit to the high salary courses after 12th science in India and abroad. Fields like medicine, engineering, pharmacy, and research often provide an umbrella full of streams to choose from to get yourself the highest-paying jobs anywhere in the world. Each of these fields opens the path to numerous different career fields that not just pay high but serve a diverse range of interests. Courses like BSc in Physics/Chemistry/Biology, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Computer Science, Data Science, AI & ML, and biotechnology are some of the high salary courses after 12th science.
- Medicine (PCMB): The PCMB stream of class 12th opens up the path to securing a career in medicine. Students can opt for an MBBS, BAMS, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, biotechnology, BSc in food and nutrition or BSc in microbiology degree after class 12th. All these courses abroad come with high chances of providing you a high paying job.
- Commerce Stream: Some traditional courses like the BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies), and CA (Chartered Accountant) are some of the high salary courses after 12th commerce. However, you can also try to enroll yourself in emerging fields like finance, marketing analytics, or business analytics to get the best career options after 12th with high earning potential.
- Arts Stream: Diverse options like the law (LLB), design (graphic, interior, animation), mass communication (journalism, content writing), and hotel management are some of the high-salary courses after 12th arts.
- Aviation: Pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers or aviation managers are some of the highest paid professions in the aviation field after 12th.
- Architecture: Architecture is a very creative field and a course in architecture can help you get a high salary job or start your own venture with great profit. Professionals in the architecture field may also get a chance to work on government projects and contracted projects with big real estate firms.
- Law: An LLB after 12th is a high earning course as well and this course may help one get a chance to earn a high earning job like a corporate lawyer, civil lawyer, criminal lawyer, intellectual property lawyer, tax lawyer and legal consultant.
- Fashion Design: Successful fashion designers, especially those with their own labels, can earn substantial income. Even those working for established brands can have lucrative careers. One can start his high income job journey after 12th with pursuing courses like Bachelor of Design and Diploma in Fashion Design.
- Makeup: Only a diploma or certificate course is enough to start your journey as a makeup artist after 12th. Successful makeup artists, especially those working in the film and television industry or with high-profile clients, can earn substantial incomes.
Also Read:
Average Salaries of High Salary Courses After 12th
Here are the average salaries of the high salary courses after 12th in different streams:
| Courses | Average Starting Salary Per Year* |
|---|---|
| MBBS | $80,000 |
| B.Tech (AI & ML) | $110,000 |
| Chartered Accountancy (CA) | $51,000 |
| Data Science and Analytics | $90,000 |
| Commercial Pilot | $105,000 |
| Law (LLB) | $60,000 |
| Hotel Management | $55,000 |
| Supply Chain Management | $70,000 |
*Average starting salaries may vary slightly or greatly with the country you choose to pursue the course and career at.
Check: Difference between Data Science and Data Analytics
Beyond Streams: Career Paths After 12th to Obtaining High Salaries
One must not restrict themselves to the traditional streams like science, commerce, medicine, arts and management fields. Emerging courses like animation, artificial intelligence (AI), digital marketing, cyber security and web development are in high demand and will be some of the highest-paying jobs even in future. Below courses other than science, medicine and commerce provide high paying career after 12th with high salary.
- Design- Graphic design, interior design, animation offer hive paying careers after 12th
- Media and Communication- Journalism, content writing, and public relations offer emerging diverse career goals requiring strong communication, storytelling and digital marketing skills
- Hospitality and Tourism- Hotel management, event management and travel & tourism offer exciting careers and require you to develop interpersonal skills, customer service expertise and intercultural awareness
- Performing Arts and Music- online teaching, independent performances and collaboration opportunities in terms of growing in field of performing arts and music.
- Cybersecurity- With growing online presence of businesses and accounts - an increase in cybersecurity thread has been observed. Attackers online keep updating their programs, malware and software to get into systems of organisations and potentially harm them in terms of money and reputation.
- Machine Learning- Machine learning is type of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn without explicit programming. It uses algorithms to analyse data and improve its accuracy at certain tasks over time.
- Website Development and Design: As businesses shift online, the continuous need for web development, design and improvement remains.
- Commercial Pilot: The commercial pilot training course can be taken after 12th given that you have studied the relevant subjects in your qualifying exam.
Factors to Consider for Choosing the Right Course Abroad After 12th
Below are some of the important factors that everyone must consider before making their decision to choose a subject/course.
- Interests: Choose a course that aligns with your passions and strengths. You may take aptitude tests and explore career guidance resources for that reason.
- Job Market Demand: Research future job opportunities and growth trends in potential fields. Use resources like government reports and industry publications to figure out what are the requirements of the future job market. Stay updated with big companies’ news and websites so that you will remain updated with what’s new in the market and which skills are desired by employers in the current work scenario.
- College Reputation and Rankings: Consider the quality of education, faculty expertise, and alumni network while choosing a college to get your degree done. However, remember that college rankings shouldn't be the sole deciding factor.
- Fees and Scholarship Options: Evaluate course fees, living expenses, and scholarship opportunities to ensure the affordability of your chosen course. Explore government schemes and merit-based scholarships to remain on the safer side.
- Location and Lifestyle Preferences: Choose an environment that suits your learning style and future aspirations. Consider proximity to industry hubs and internship opportunities if that helps you to get closer to your dream of earning the highest paying jobs in India and abroad.
Also Read: Top 10 Part-time Jobs for Students Abroad
Best Courses After 12th with High Salary Abroad
| Best Careers after 12th | |
|---|---|
| Fields | High-paying Specialisations |
| CS & IT |
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| Engineering |
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| Healthcare |
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| Management |
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| Law |
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Also Read-
This was all about the high-paying courses after 12th to study abroad. If you wish to study abroad then, you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.
High Salary Courses After 12th FAQs
Explore alternative paths like vocational courses, Diploma programs, or skill development initiatives. Consider retaking exams or pursuing entrance exams for specific universities with lower cut-offs. Remember, your career path is not defined by a single test score.
No course guarantees a high salary. Remember, your success depends on several factors, including your hard work, continuous learning, adaptability to market trends, and networking skills. Choose a path that aligns with your passion and invest in your personal and professional development.
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Any skills-based job can pay well, irrespective of the gender. As one grows experience in the in-demand skills, the payout that they may get is unimaginable because several big companies remain in the lookout for people who can do their jobs and have expertise in these fields. Below are some top Science courses that one can pursue after 12th for high salaries:
However, the highest paying jobs after 12th in India for girls are in the teaching line, medical, software engineering, pilot, research and civil services. These jobs not only pay well but also provide recognition.