If you are in college and want to make money after you graduate, major in STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) studies.

At least that’s been the conventional wisdom for a couple of decades now. But before you go all in on that brain-twisting engineering degree, don’t give up on the liberal arts, at least according to Sunday’s issue of The Washington Post Magazine.

Data from Payscale.com does indeed show that such degrees bring in the long green. A petroleum engineer can rake it nearly $200,000 a year by midcareer. A computer wonk can earn about $115,00 a year in that time frame.

For the real pin money, try early childhood education ($42,000 by midcareer) or Biblical studies ($46,000).

But before you buy in to the media, job counselors and economic development poo-bahs, don’t give up on liberal arts.

Figures show that English lit majors make more than cell and molecular biology majors ($75,300 versus $74,800). Philosophy majors make $85,000 a year by midcareer compared to biotech majors.

In other words, it’s perfectly OK to keep studying Shakespeare and Kant. Let the wonks sweat.

Meanwhile, there’s some bad news at Virginia Commonwealth University. The College Scoreboard, a U.S. Department of Education site, reports that of Virginia public colleges, VCU grads have among the highest debt ($25,000) and the lowest post-graduation average salaries ($41,000) than any other school in the state., according to the Commonwealth Times, a student publication.

While Virginia Tech grads have as much debt, their salaries are around $52,000. University Virginia grads rate highest, with among the lowest debt and the highest salaries — $58,000