The two are the only degrees in a list of 40 conducted by GCA to crack the figure - more than $20,000 above the median salary of $52,000.

Mining engineers took out the top spot with graduates expecting to earn about $80,000 in their first year, while dentistry students earn an average of about $75,300.

Geologists came in third with an average of $65,000, and chemical engineering and electrical engineering graduates rounded out the top five with $61,000 and $60,000 respectively.

Some of the lowest money-earning degrees according to GCA were pharmacy ($35,000) and visual and performing arts ($40,000).

Third year Charles Sturt University dentistry student Adam Barrett said it would be nice to be earning more than $70,000 first year out of university but it was not the main point.

“If you are money driven then you probably are in it for the wrong reason,” Mr Barrett said.

“I am more patient focused.”

Although dentistry students will be earning good coin fresh out of university, it’s certainly not an easy ride for them during their studies.

“We have to put it in perspective. Their HECS fees are more than that,” associate head of school of dentistry and health sciences Dr Sabrina Manickam said.

Dentistry students can expect to have a HECS debt of more than $100,000.

“The pay salary is relevant to the amount of time and effort they put in,” she said.

“This is a profession. They put in the hard yards and are paid well but there comes a huge responsibility.”

Top graduate salaries

1. Mining engineering $80,000

2. Dentistry $75,300

3. Geology $65,000

4. Chemical engineering $61,000

5. Electrical engineering $60,000

6. Mechanical engineering $59,000

7. Civil Engineering $58,000

8. Legal Studies $56,000

9. Physical Sciences $56,000

10. Medicine $55,000