There is plenty of talk about college being worth it; there are just as many nay-sayers. Does that mean college should be put on the backburner? Definitely not. It’s about choosing the right career over one that might leave you stuck.
Of course, it can be challenging to know which degrees are truly worth getting. The good news is, this article is geared towards discussing the five best degrees that are 100% worth getting. Below, you will hopefully find your next new goal towards a fascinating (and equitable) career.
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What Makes a Degree Worth Getting?
You should never act hastily when choosing a degree. Not all degrees are created equal. Some will certainly leave you in debt without the opportunity for a steady salary and potential advancement. So how can you know which degrees are worth getting? Here are a few key factors.
Potential Salary
When looking for the right degree, your end game is to land a job. Right? Knowing the potential salary makes the difference between a degree worth getting and a degree not worth getting. Many websites can help you determine what potential salaries you can earn with your degree, such as Salary.
When looking at salary, don’t forget to look at specific benefits offered at the type of employment. Things such as 401K, health insurance, life insurance, and bonuses are things to look for. Work-life balance is also ideal. Find jobs that will provide their employees with time off, vacation days, and other perks.
Salary Growth
Aside from knowing that there will be a good salary right out of school, there should also be the potential to make more. So, it is important to look at how the salary has changed from one year to the next. If the pay is steadily (or rapidly) increasing, you can be confident in choosing the degree.
Job Growth
Even the best degrees mean nothing if you can’t find a job in the end. That’s why it is important to find out which careers are booming and projected to grow – and which ones aren’t. Again, it all comes down to proper research. BLS.gov is a great place to see job growth. Check and see if your degree and career path are on the list of positive growth aspects.
Advancement Opportunities
Being stuck in the same humdrum position for years is one of the leading causes of job abandonment. That doesn’t have to be you – with the right degree under your belt. Having a degree that allows you to enter a company and move up within the company is highly beneficial for plenty of individuals.
It’s Your Passion
You can read this entire list, knowing that it’s a degree worth getting, yet not feel the spark. Honestly, getting a degree should come down to your passion. If you’re not passionate about your degree or career choice, it won’t be worthwhile in the long run. Sure, you will have financial security, but money doesn’t equal happiness. Remember that!
Which Degrees Are Worth Getting?
What makes a degree “worthy” is basically how well it will impact your future. But which ones are definite “worthy” degrees to consider? If you’re stuck, don’t panic – below are the top five degrees definitely worth getting, plus some handy information about each one.
5 Degrees Definitely Worth Getting!
Engineering (STEM)
There’s a reason why STEM is becoming such a popular subject – it pays off. STEM is the gateway to better learning and earning potential. One degree that focuses on STEM specifically is engineering.
Engineering is one of the best degrees because the job outlook is strong, and personnel can bring in a hefty salary. A bachelor’s degree in engineering will take four years to complete. From there, you have the opportunity to earn a dual-degree or master’s in engineering, thus rendering a higher paycheck.
An engineer’s salary is quite steep, even right out of college. You can step into a different field of engineering to increase your salary, too. For example, a petroleum engineer’s starting salary is just under $80k, while the highest earners make close to $200k.
So, if you consider yourself a problem-solver and enjoy working with technology and mathematics, an engineering degree might be the ideal option for you.
Nursing (Healthcare)
Healthcare will always be an excellent option for employees whether they opt for nursing or not. The job growth is strong in the healthcare industry, although each title will carry its pay scale. If you’re looking to step out of college and into the “big bucks,” nursing is the way to go.
Surprisingly, you don’t have to become a doctor or dentist to make a lot of money in the health field. Nursing is a viable option and is known as being one of the best-paying jobs in the country.
As a bonus, you don’t need to do as much schooling to get a higher paycheck. In fact, a nursing degree can be achieved in just four years. Don’t forget that there are some pretty intense clinical during that time. Don’t worry – it’s all part of the learning process.
Right out of the gate, nurses can make a salary of around $77k. The earnings don’t have to cap out there, though. With continued schooling, one can become a nurse practitioner (NP), nurse-midwife (CNM), or nurse anesthetist (CRNA). These positions make $100k+ per year.
If you are interested in the healthcare field, want to help individuals and make a difference in the world, nursing is a very lucrative career you won’t regret getting.
Software Developer (Computer Science)
You can’t go wrong with any degree in computer sciences. This century is all about technology, and computer sciences are behind the advancements and new creations. But the number one outlook for computer science degrees currently is a software developer.
The job growth for software developer careers is projected to grow over %20 within the next ten years, making it one of the fastest-growing career paths out there. And why wouldn’t it? Software developers create the apps, programs, and other day-to-day tech most people use and enjoy. There is no end in sight for the need of developers or new technology.
Not only that, but software developers have a median pay of around $110k – more than enough to pay off schooling fees.
To become a software developer, the best degree to earn is a computer science degree. However, don’t hesitate to opt for an engineering degree or another related degree. Remember – these degrees can go beyond the “typical” job, so you can always change or advance careers at a later time.
Human Resources
When people think of degrees that make big money, human resources might not be the first thing that pops into mind. Well, think again. A human resources career opens up many doors, and with a 9% projected growth in the upcoming years, it’s a degree you can rely on.
Human resources are all about keeping a company organized, whether reviewing resumes, hiring and firing, or coming up with reliable policies that keep employees happy. You are the go-to for managing a company and making sure it (and everything within it) runs smoothly. Sounds like you? Then consider this lucrative degree.
An employee in the human resources department will typically earn around $60k. Not too shabby, especially if you have an associate’s degree. If you advance to a master’s degree and beyond, you can join other departments within the field. For example, a compensation and benefits manager makes a median salary of $94k, while a manager makes $87k.
Economics
If economics was your favorite subject in high school, you might consider making it your long-term gig. An economics degree is specially designed to examine allocations, wealth, incentives, and other related aspects of the economy.
Sounds interesting? Then consider an economics degree. Careers utilizing this career have an expected job growth of over 10%, which is great news for anyone considering this interesting and rewarding degree path.
Moneywise, an economist, grosses over $100k annually across the nation. Keep in mind that most jobs will require a master’s degree, though, which adds several years on top of the four years for a bachelor’s degree. As you can see, this job will pay off in the future regardless of financial loss for schooling.
FAQs
Now you know which degrees you should be considering for your future. Some are better suited for mathematicians, while others are geared towards healthcare and technology. If you still have some pondering questions about the topic, keep reading these important FAQs.
What Degree Has The Most Job Opportunities?
Computer science and health science are tied for number one. That is because there is a huge need for these employees. As technology continues to grow, companies seek out individuals that can program, create, etc. As the healthcare crisis grows, more workers are needed.
What Majors Are In High Demand?
Nursing is one of the most highly demanded majors in the workforce right now. Other fields in healthcare, such as medical assisting, are also needed, but the salary is much lower. Computer science is also in high demand as technology continues to grow and advance.
What Are The Most Useless Degrees?
Unfortunately, some degrees are hit-and-miss. Don’t let anything deter you from a degree if it’s your passion, but know that the competition is much steeper (and pay not be as great) for degrees in anthropology, tourism, criminal justice, and communications.
What Is The Hardest Degree To Get?
If you want to choose a degree but don’t want to spend countless hours studying and working towards your goal, you should avoid these careers: architecture, chemical engineering, astronautical engineering, and biomedical engineering.
What Is The Easiest Degree With Highest Pay?
If you’re looking for quick and simple without enduring hard work, consider one of these rather simple degrees but have good starting wages: philosophy, creative writing, English, psychology, finance, and marketing.
Final Words
Choosing a degree can be tricky, especially if you’re worried about the degree not paying off. The good news is that many lucrative degrees will provide a steady (and fairly high) salary while also giving you the confidence to find a job. Whether you’re interested in engineering, nursing, development, human resources, or economics, you can find a great future with any one of these degrees.
