A typical worker with a bachelor's degree earns two-thirds more than someone with just a high school diploma. But not all college degrees are created equal. What you study matters, too.
We analyzed data for 126 popular college majors to determine which majors typically come with the best hiring prospects and pay, both now and in the future. Here are the top 5 majors for a lucrative career.
1. Nursing
Starting salary: $58,200 (median for all majors: $43,250)
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Mid-career salary: $76,300 (median for all majors: $74,700)
Annual online job postings: 1.9 million
Related job: Registered Nurse
Projected 10-year job growth: 17.2% (all occupations: 8.6%)
2. Biomedical Engineering
Starting salary: $62,900
Mid-career salary: $103,500
Annual online job postings: 51,070
Related job: Biomedical Engineer
Projected 10-year job growth: 23.2%
3. Civil Engineering
Starting salary: $57,700
Mid-career salary: $98,500
Annual online job postings: 201,886
Related job: Civil Engineer
Projected 10-year job growth: 10.5%
4. Mechanical Engineering
Starting salary: $64,000
Mid-career salary: $106,800
Annual online job postings: 241,345
Related job: Mechanical Engineer
Projected 10-year job growth: 9.4%
5. Computer Science
Starting salary: $65,900
Mid-career salary: $110,100
Annual online job postings: 2.0 million
Related job: Software Developer
Projected 10-year job growth: 21.6%
See more of the best college majors for your career.
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