Best College Degrees: Top Majors for Salary & Job Growth

A college degree can increase your earning potential. In fact, men with a bachelor’s degree earn around $900,000 more in median lifetime earnings than men who stopped at high school, and women with a bachelor’s degree earn around $630,000 more, according to the Social Security Administration.

While the general trend is that college graduates earn more, your degree and career path have a big impact on how much you can earn after graduation. This guide explores the highest-paying college degrees, the best degrees for job security, and the degrees that give you the best return on investment.

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What makes a college degree worth the investment?

College graduates earn approximately 60% more than their degree-less counterparts, according to the College Board. While the right college degree can help boost your earning potential, taking on a large student loan or choosing the wrong degree might not make it worth the investment.

“There are ways to avoid taking out high amounts of loans,” says Jed Macosko, Ph.D., a professor of physics at Wake Forest University. 

“One way is to attend in-state schools. Another way is to attend schools that are slightly lower than the best school that the student can get into. Those slightly lower schools offer merit-based scholarships to attract better students,” explains Macosko.

Other ways to limit your student loan debt can include working a part-time job and searching for scholarships and grants to help pay for your education. 

Beyond limiting your financial burden postgraduation, choosing a degree that offers a path to a high-earning career could increase your financial return on investment (ROI). For example, degrees with a high level of technical training, like engineering, tend to lead to higher-paying jobs after graduation. 

For many, college has much more to offer than the financial ROI. 

“College leads to understanding that life is always about learning and becoming well-rounded,” says Brian Safdari, a certified college planning specialist (CCPS) and founder and CEO of College Planning Experts.

Which college majors offer the highest salaries?

If you’re looking for a college major that offers a path to a high salary, the following degrees are worth considering:

Which college degrees have the strongest job growth?

Of the jobs that require a college degree, the following are projected to see the largest job growth in the next eight years:

How do you choose the right major for you?

Deciding on a college major is a significant milestone. Of course, only you can pick the right degree. Use the following tips to start your search:

• Strengths and interests: Start by taking an honest look at what you’re good at and what you’re interested in learning more about. 
• Career goals: Think about where you’d like to take your career after college and what degree might best support that journey. 
• Income potential: If you’re concerned about the financial ROI on your degree, it’s critical to consider the income potential of your degree after graduation. 

“If you don't have a specific career plan because you are still finding yourself, then it might make sense to take a gap year,” says Macosko. “However, if you know you are ambitious and want to work hard, but just don't know which particular career path will suit your gifts best, then go to college and find out!”