Getting a college degree can be expensive and time-consuming. One of the best ways to make sure your investment pays off is to keep the future in mind when picking your course of study. While some majors feel timeless, others may be more timely — and a smarter bet for landing a well-paying job after graduating.
We’ve picked ten of the best degrees for the future to help guide your choice. Find out which majors have the most promising career paths below.
The world is changing faster than ever before thanks to new technologies and societal shifts. As automation transforms entire industries, it’s crucial that today’s students choose a major that will equip them with future-proof skills.
In this blog, I’ll countdown the top 8 most useful and future-focused college degrees based on job growth projections and median salaries. I’ll also look at key reasons each major makes the list, plus associated career paths.
Let’s dive in!
#8 Business Administration
With a projected 8% job growth between 2019-2029, a business administration degree provides strong employment prospects. Core courses in management, HR, marketing, finance and economics give you a robust generalist skillset. This flexibility enables business admin grads to enter many different industries and job roles.
Potential career paths include
- Business Analyst
- Project Manager
- Sales Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Marketing Specialist
Median Salary: $94,000
#7 Human Resources
HR specialists are in high demand, with a projected 15% growth rate in jobs. Companies rely on skilled HR pros to attract and retain top talent, especially with unemployment at record lows Core HR skills like recruitment, compensation, employee relations and diversity initiatives will continue growing in importance
Typical HR careers include:
- Recruiter
- HR Generalist
- Compensation & Benefits Manager
- Training Specialist
- HR Business Partner
Median Salary: $63,000
#6 Information Technology
With technology now integral to business operations, IT skills are more crucial than ever. IT grads can expect strong 11% job growth in fields like cybersecurity, database management, networks and software development. As companies become more data driven, IT infrastructure and analytics will be a priority.
IT career paths include:
- Software Developer
- Systems Analyst
- Database Administrator
- Network Architect
- IT Project Manager
Median Salary: $91,000
#5 Engineering
Engineering offers a wide range of specializations from chemical to electrical to mechanical engineering. But core skills in technical design, math, physics, problem-solving and analysis prepare students for our tech-driven world. Job opportunities in engineering are projected to grow by nearly 5% with competitive salaries.
Typical engineering roles include:
- Civil Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
Median Salary: $98,000
#4 Data Science
With demand for data scientists growing by over 28%, this is one of the hottest fields right now. Companies have massive volumes of data but need experts who can analyze it to drive strategy and results. Majors like data science, analytics and statistics teach the technical skills to manage big data.
Data careers include:
- Data Analyst
- Business Intelligence Developer
- Data Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data Scientist
Median Salary: $98,000
#3 Management Information Systems
At the intersection of business and tech, MIS provides the skills to leverage IT systems and data analytics in business. With projected 12% job growth and a median salary of $146,000, Management Information Systems grads are poised for success.
Typical MIS careers include:
- IT Project Manager
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Systems Analyst
- Technology Consultant
Median Salary: $146,000
#2 Computer Science
Computer scienceInstence: 5 graduates can look forward to incredible 22% job growth and lucrative salaries. At its core, computer science teaches problem solving using coding and computational thinking. These transferable skills open up doors across virtually every field from medicine to manufacturing.
CS career paths include:
- Software Developer
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Database Administrator
- Computer Hardware Engineer
- AI/Machine Learning Engineer
Median Salary: $126,000
#1 Data Science
With data now the world’s most valuable resource, data science and analytics will continue to dominate. Jobs for data pros are estimated to grow by 28% fuelled by Big Data and AI. Data science teaches technical skills in statistics and programming to manage large datasets and find actionable insights. A background in domains from business to healthcare will complement these technical abilities. Data science is a degree that will open up plenty of opportunities in almost any industry.
Common data science jobs are:
- Data Analyst
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data Engineer
- Business Intelligence Developer
- Data Scientist
Median Salary: $98,000
Key Takeaways
- Data science, computer science, MIS and engineering lead for job demand and salary potential.
- Degrees at the intersection of technology and business also perform strongly including IT, engineering and business administration.
- More specialized technical skills in areas like data and cybersecurity are increasingly valued.
- Data analysis and problem-solving skills have versatile applications across domains.
- Generalist business qualifications continue to provide broad career opportunities.
The most promising degrees provide the technical abilities and specialized knowledge necessary to thrive in our increasingly high-tech world. Of course your interests and strengths should play a major role in choosing a major too. But degrees with solid employment prospects and salaries will generally deliver a strong return on investment for your tuition fees and time spent studying.
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Frequently Asked Questions About College Majors
Graduates who majored in engineering fields and computer science earn the highest salaries at the start of their careers, according to 2021 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Chemical engineers and computer engineers made the most, followed by computer science majors and aerospace engineers.
7 Most Useful College Majors (2024)
What are the best college majors for the future?
The best college majors for the future will prepare you for a number of career choices. Salaries are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Petroleum Engineering is first on our list of rankings for the best college majors. It can be one of the most fruitful majors for young students.
What are the best degrees for the future?
Degrees that show the best job potential, salaries and career growth in their specific fields often designate themselves as the best degrees for the future. Other factors, such as job relevancy, may also affect predictions for the best degrees.
What is the best degree for a career?
The best degree for a career depends largely on individual interests, industry demand, and career goals. Fields like Computer Science, Healthcare, Engineering, and Business Management often top the list due to their high demand in the job market, strong salary potential, and broad applicability across industries.
Why do you need a top 10 degree?
Sustainable and Renewable Energy If you want to be a leader of green economy, you need a top 10 degree for the future. In this program, you’ll study how policy change affects our natural world. You’ll also increase your awareness of the world’s natural resources.
