25 of the Most Useful College Majors To Pursue Today

Updated June 7, 2023

Your college major can determine what classes you take and what career you pursue later in life. Many majors allow for a wide range of careers, while some may limit your possibilities. If you're choosing a college major, learning more about useful subjects can help you determine which is best for you.

In this article, we discuss some of the most useful college majors you can pursue.

25 valuable majors for college students

Here's a list of the most useful college majors based on post-graduate employment and median annual wage from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the links provided.

1. Biomedical engineering

A degree in biomedical engineering prepares individuals for work in various fields, including manufacturing, medical device development, and research and development. The goal of biomedical engineers is to design and develop technology to solve problems in the medical world. Biomedical engineers may expect a growth rate of 10% from 2021 to 2031 and a median annual wage of $97,410 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

2. Computer science

Computer science and information technology is an increasingly popular major and career choice. The BLS projects a growth of 21% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than the average growth rate of 5% for all occupations.

The median annual wage for computer science and information research majors is $131,490 per year. People who major in computer science learn how to use various computational processes to program computer operating systems, build websites and other complex computer-related tasks.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Read more: Is a Computer Science Degree for You? Top Majors and Jobs

3. Marine engineering

Marine engineering prepares students with knowledge about various marine operating systems including offshore structures, boats and submarines. Core courses to study include physics, mechanical engineering and differential equations. According to the BLS, marine engineers and naval architects can expect a growth of 4% from 2021 to 2031, and may earn about $93,370 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

4. Pharmaceutical sciences

A major in pharmaceutical sciences prepares students to apply biology, chemistry and other sciences to the study and development of medicines. According to the BLS, pharmacists may expect a 2% growth from 2021 to 2031, which is slower than the average growth rate for all health care diagnosing and treating practitioners. As a pharmaceutical science major, you may expect a career with an average salary of $128,570 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Read more: FAQ: What Is a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences?

5. Computer engineering

A computer engineering major learns how to assess, create and implement various computer software and hardware through the use of physics, mathematics and computer science. Computer engineering majors may make an average of $128,170 per year in their careers, and expect a 5% growth from 2021 to 2031.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

6. Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering majors learn how to assess, design and develop various types of electrical equipment. These engineers can work with a variety of electronics including computers, robotics and power systems. Electrical and electronics engineers may expect a growth of 5% from 2021 to 2031, and may earn an average of $100,420 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Read more: What Can You Do With an Electrical Engineering Degree?

7. Finance

A bachelor's degree in finance provides various career opportunities for graduates including occupations as an accountant, financial analyst and financial advisor. According to the BLS, financial managers may expect an average salary of $131,710 per year and an industry growth rate of 17% from 2021 to 2031, a rate much higher than the average.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

8. Software engineering

Software engineering majors typically go on to be software developers, which is a career path that's high in demand. Software developers, quality assurance analysts and tests may expect a 25% growth from 2021 to 2031. The average median pay for a person in this field is $109,020 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Read more: What Degree Do You Need To Be a Software Engineer?

9. Civil engineering

Civil engineering majors learn how to develop, build and oversee the creation of infrastructure systems such as those found in construction projects. Civil engineers also oversee projects that build and repair airports, bridges and other types of structures within the community. These engineers may expect a 7% growth in their field from 2021 to 2031 and an average salary of $88,050 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

10. Applied mathematics

An applied mathematics college degree prepares individuals for careers in engineering, science and computer science. According to the BLS, there are 887,590 jobs for those with applied mathematics degrees, with a median wage of $75,000 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Read more: 10 Jobs Can You Get With an Applied Mathematics Degree

11. Statistics

A degree in statistics focuses on data and mathematics. The BLS projects this field to grow by 31% from 2021 to 2031, with an additional 11,200 available roles. The median wage for an expert in this field is $96,280 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

12. Medical and health preparatory programs

Medical and health preparatory programs prepare individuals for medical school or other health-related programs and careers. Common areas of study for medical and health preparatory students include dentistry, nursing and pharmacy. The BLS notes there's an average of 4,916,820 roles for those with this degree, in which they can earn an average wage of $63,000 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Related: How To Choose the Best Pre-Med Major for You

13. Economics

Economics majors learn how economic systems work and how they impact society. According to the BLS, economists may earn an average wage of $105,630 per year, and can expect a 6% growth in their field between 2021 and 2031.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

14. Genetics

A genetics major provides individuals with in-depth knowledge of how genetics affects modern society. The demand for geneticists and genetic counselors may increase over the decade, with a projected growth rate of 18% from 2021 to 2031. Genetic experts may expect an average wage of $80,150 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Related: FAQ: What Degree Does a Genetic Counselor Need? (With Tips)

15. Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering degrees provide students with in-depth knowledge of how to analyze and develop various machines. Common courses taught in this field include dynamics, principles of design and chemistry. This career path may grow by 2% from 2021 to 2031 and offers a median wage of $95,300 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

16. Management information systems

A management information systems major provides students with knowledge of information systems and how they function in the business world. According to the BLS, computer and information systems managers may expect an average wage of $159,010 per year and a 16% growth from 2021 to 2031 in their field.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Read more: What Is the Career Path for a Management Information Systems Degree? (With FAQs)

17. Mathematics

A degree in mathematics prepares students for a career in several positions including as a math professor, investment banker and researcher. Most professions pursued by math majors are in high demand and provide an excellent return on investment. Mathematicians and statisticians may earn an average wage of $96,280 per year and can expect a 31% growth rate from 2021 to 2031, which may result in an additional 11,200 roles.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

18. Physics

People who major in physics have a broad range of career paths to choose from, including application engineering, data analysis and design engineering. Physics majors learn various forms of science and mathematics and ways to apply these principles in the real world. Physicists and astronomers may earn an average wage of $147,450 per year and may expect a growth rate of 8% from 2021 to 2031.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Read more: 30 Jobs for Physics Majors (Plus Salary Info and Duties)

19. Political science

Political science majors prepare for careers in politics and study the creation and evolution of political systems. According to the BLS, political scientists earn an average wage of $122,510 per year and can expect a growth rate of 6% from 2021 to 2031 in their field.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

20. Business administration

People with a business administration degree can pursue a variety of career paths including those in accounting, management and finance. The BLS projects there are 12,449,900 roles for those with a business administration degree, with a median wage of $65,000 per year. Of the people in these roles, about 25% have an advanced degree.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Read more: What Can You Do With a Business Administration Degree?

21. Nursing

A degree in nursing provides individuals with the education and training needed to pursue a career as a registered nurse or another type of nurse. Registered nurses may expect a 6% growth in their industry from 2021 to 2031 and a median wage of $77,600 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

22. Meteorology

Individuals with a degree in meteorology study climate and weather and often work as meteorologists or atmospheric scientists. According to the BLS, atmospheric scientists and meteorologists may expect a 4% growth from 2021 to 2031 an average salary of $94,570 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Related: What Does an Atmospheric Scientist Do? (With Key Job Duties)

23. General engineering

A degree in general engineering prepares people for a career in various branches of engineering, including chemical, architectural and computer engineering. The BLS projects a 4% growth rate for all engineers and a median annual wage of $79,840 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

24. Materials science

Materials science degrees equip students with the skills needed to study, analyze and manipulate various materials found in the environment. This career is an important part of various aspects of society, including energy, computer science and transportation. Chemists and materials scientists may expect an average salary of $79,760 per year and a growth rate of 6% from 2021 to 2031.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Related: What Is a Materials Scientist and What Do They Do?

25. Chemical engineering

Chemical engineering is a major that teaches people the principles of chemistry, physics and biology and ways to apply them to solve challenges in society. Chemical engineers may expect a 14% growth from 2021 to 2031, a rate much faster than the average. The median wage for chemical engineers is $105,550 per year.

These are some jobs you can get with this major:

Note that figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) help supplement data from Indeed.

 

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