In 2025, it’s more vital than ever to pick the correct college major. Students desire degrees that will help them get good jobs and be happy with their careers for a long time because the job market is changing, new technologies are coming out, and tuition expenses are going up.
Based on wage potential, job growth, and industry demand, this report shows the best college majors and career pathways. We’ll help you figure out what’s popular, what’s stable, and which degrees are opening doors in today’s industry, whether you’re just starting to look at your possibilities or are thinking about changing your existing plan.
Quick Overview: The Most Popular Degrees in the U.S. for 2025
Degrees in data science, engineering, healthcare, computer science, and finance are at the top of the list. These fields have high earning potential and job demand is rising. The majors below offer both security and potential, whether you like solving problems or taking care of patients.
| Major | Average Salary | Job Growth (by 2033) | Careers to Consider |
| Data Science and Analytics | $108,000 | 36% | Data scientist, business intelligence analyst |
| Computer Science | Around $90,000 for entry-level | 26% | Software developer, security analyst |
| Finance | $150,000 (CFOs) | ~8% | Investment banker, financial manager |
| Engineering (CS/EE/Aero) | Entry-level: $74,000–80,000; mid-career: $112,000+ | 15–26% | Engineer jobs in different fields |
| Nursing and Health Care | $86,000 for RNs; $129,000 for NPs | 14–40% | Nurse, nurse practitioner |
The Best College Degrees for Different Careers
Technology and Engineering
There is considerable demand for degrees in fields including computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, and data science. Data Scientists, for instance, make a median salary of $112,590 and are expected to see job growth of 36% from 2023 to 2033. Software engineers also make good money (around $104,000 a year) and have good job growth. Many graduates go on to work as software developers, systems analysts, or AI experts. Engineering fields like mechanical, aerospace, and civil also have starting incomes of $74,000 to $80,000 and mid-career wages of more than $112,000.
Business and Economics
People who study business, including finance, accounting, or economics, can work as financial analysts, investment bankers, or consultants. CFO-level finance jobs generally pay more than $150,000. People who have a degree in economics work in policy, finance, or data analysis. Many business majors also use internships and credentials, like the CFA, to make more money. Job growth is good (around 8% until 2033), especially in the fintech and sustainable finance industries.
Health and Medical Fields
Healthcare degrees are still reliable: The average wage for a nurse (RN) is about $86,000, and for a nurse practitioner, it’s about $129,000. Both jobs are expected to expand by 14 to 40 percent. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants are also in high demand. All of these jobs require a mix of healthcare degrees and licenses. As the U.S. population gets older, the need for workers in telemedicine, gerontology, and other health-related fields grows.
Arts, Media, and Communication
People with degrees in communications, media arts, or journalism can work as public relations specialists, editors, or content strategists. The average yearly compensation for people who work in media is roughly $62,340. The highest-paid PR directors make more than $202,500. As digital media, video content development, and brand storytelling grow, there are more jobs for graduates who know how to leverage multimedia, social media, and get people to interact with their brands.
Social Sciences and Humanities
Psychology, sociology, political science, and history are some majors that can lead to jobs in teaching, public service, counseling, research, and NGOs. The typical salary (around $60,000) may be lower than STEM, but job growth (5–8%) is stable. Graduates with good writing and critical thinking abilities also go to law school, work in policy, or go back to school for a master’s degree, all of which can greatly improve their earning potential and career progression.
Science and Math
You can become a statistician, biochemist, environmental analyst, or research technician with a degree in math, statistics, biology, chemistry, or environmental science. By 2026, the number of statisticians is predicted to expand by 33%, which is the fastest rate among STEM areas. Companies are hiring data scientists at a rising rate, and they make between $108,000 and $113,000 a year. Biological and environmental scientists are growing at a moderate rate (around 5–8%), but they are doing very well in new domains like biotech and green energy. Many scientific graduates also work in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, or government research, which usually requires a graduate degree.
The Most Profitable Majors (with Average Salaries)
- Petroleum Engineering: The median salary for someone just starting out is about $137,330, while the median salary for someone in the middle of their career is generally more than $170,000 to $190,000.
- Aerospace Engineering: The median wage is about $118,610, which shows that there is a lot of demand in the aviation and space industries.
- Chemical Engineering: The median salary for someone just starting out is about $75,000, and it rises to about $120,000 after a few years.
- Computer Engineering and Computer Science: Starting incomes are between $78,000 and $91,000, and they can go up a lot in the middle of a career (more than $105,000).
- Biomedical Engineering: The median wage is $100,730, which is due to the rise of medical technology and biotechnology.
- Finance and Investment Management: A lot of well-paying jobs are available to people with finance degrees. CFOs and top analysts can make over $150,000 a year.
📝 Source Note (BLS / NACE): The news and research reports looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the NACE Salary Survey. For instance, petroleum engineers have a median salary of $137,330 (BLS), aerospace engineers make $118,610, and engineering graduates start at an average salary of $80,085 (NACE).
Degrees That Lead to the Most Job Growth
In 2025, several majors will grow quickly because of new technologies, the need for healthcare, renewable energy, and developments in data analytics.
| Major | Expected Growth (2023–33) | Key Industry |
| Data Science and Analytics | Up 42% | Tech and professional services |
| Information Security and Cybersecurity | ~41% | Tech and security |
| Wind and Solar Energy Technicians | 48–60% | Renewable energy |
| Nurse Practitioners and Healthcare Managers | 36–45% | Healthcare |
| Market Research / Operations Analysts | ~30% | Business/analytics |
Choosing the Right Degree for You: How to Pick a Major That Fits Your Career Goals
If you want to be successful in the long run, you should pick a degree that fits with your job aspirations. If you want a job that will always be there, think about working in healthcare or education. Both fields have consistent demand and jobs that don’t go away during a recession.
Want to make a lot of money? Consider studying engineering, finance, or computer science.
If you want to make a difference in the world, you might want to major in something like public health or environmental science.
Think about how you want to live, work, and do your everyday tasks. Tools like the CareerOneStop Interest Profiler can help you figure out what areas of work are best for you based on your skills and interests.
Finding a Balance Between Passion and Practicality
Your passion is important, but so is the ability to make money. Find a sweet spot where your interests and what people want meet. College Scorecard and other ROI calculators allow you see how much money you can make and how much debt you can get by major and school.
Also think about how flexible your degree will be in the future. If you’re not sure what you want to do, a degree in communications, psychology, or general business can lead to a wide range of jobs. If you’re not sure, start with a lot of different things and then narrow it down with electives, certificates, or grad school.
Emerging and Niche Majors to Watch
- Game Design and Emerging Media: These multidisciplinary programs, which mix art, programming, storytelling, and user experience, are increasing quickly. Graduates get jobs in gaming studios or immersive media. The best schools for this include USC, CMU, and NYU.
- Digital Health / Health Informatics: This field uses IT, healthcare, and data analysis to make patient care better and the system work better. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs in this field will expand by about 16% between 2023 and 2033. The median salary for these jobs will be between $78,000 and $115,000, depending on the role.
- Translational and Biomedical Informatics: It combines molecular biology, genetics, and data science to speed up medical research and tailored care. This is great for students who want to learn about bioinformatics or medical AI.
- Health Care Analytics Programs: Students learn how to look at clinical, financial, and demographic data. This profession helps hospitals and public health make decisions, and it is likely to develop as digital healthcare becomes more common.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): GIS majors use geography, cartography, and IT to study data that is related to space. This specialist degree opens you unique opportunities in urban planning and environmental management as demand for geospatial technology grows.
What If You Still Don’t Know What to Do?
Still trying to figure it out? That’s very natural. Here are four smart methods to explore without getting behind:
- Take classes in general education.
Gen eds give you a taste of many subjects, like math, literature, physics, and the arts, so you may find out what really interests you while also earning credits. Most colleges want them regardless. - Try internships or job shadowing.
Even short experiences can help you figure out if you love or loathe a field. Look for local opportunities via your school’s career center or on sites like Chegg Internships. - Talk to an academic advisor.
Advisors can help you find majors and jobs that fit your interests and build a schedule that lets you explore. - Take free career tests.
Tools like MyMajors and O*NET Interest Profiler can help you choose majors that fit your personality and career aspirations.
Should You Consider a Master’s Degree or an Online Degree?
More and more people are interested in graduate school and flexible programs, especially ones that will help them make more money or move up in their careers.
Accelerated Degrees
You can get a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years at some universities that offer 4+1 programs. These help you get ready for competitive jobs in business, tech, or health while saving you time and money on school.
Online and Flexible Programs
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees earned online are generally cheaper and more convenient. You can learn from anywhere, work part-time, and choose from thousands of authorized programs.
What Is the ROI of a Graduate Degree?
Some industries, including STEM, business, or healthcare, pay a lot more after graduation, even if grad school can be pricey. Use resources like College Scorecard to always compare predicted income versus debt.
Top Degrees and Career Paths: Frequently Asked Questions
- What degree will pay the most when you first start working in 2025? According to data from NACE and BLS, Petroleum Engineering has the highest starting earnings, which are between $87,000 and $100,000. Tech and computer majors are next in line.
- What majors will help you keep your career in the future? Degrees in healthcare, data science, cybersecurity, and renewable energy are all expected to expand by double digits through 2033.
- What degree should you get if you don’t know what to do? Think about Business, Communications, or Psychology. These fields are flexible and may be used in many different fields. You can choose a specialty later on based on what you like.
- Do employers value online degrees? Yes, but only if they come from schools that are accredited. Employers care more about your abilities, experience, and GPA than how you study.
- Do degrees in the liberal arts lead to good jobs? Of course. They help people develop soft skills like writing, analyzing, and talking to others, which are very important for professions in law, journalism, teaching, and management.
Last Thoughts: How to Make Your Career Last
In a job market that changes quickly, the best thing you can do is be flexible, not just get a degree. When you combine technical skills (like programming or data analysis) with soft skills (like communication, critical thinking, and teamwork), you stand out in any field. More and more, employers want workers who can learn quickly and handle genuine challenges.
Keep your mind open, learn new things, and take online classes, get certifications, or do internships to keep your skills up to date. Coursera and edX are two tools that let you study in-demand skills in a flexible way.
Don’t be afraid of change; instead, see it as an opportunity for your career. Students that do well in 2025 and beyond will be those who see studying as a way to live their lives.
