Choosing a Major
Your choice of major will influence the course of your college career and your life. Intimidating, right? No wonder why so many students change their major multiple times. However common the practice, changing your major often is costly. Changing your major multiple times you will delay your graduation date, adding at least another semester’s tuition to the bill. Also, choosing the wrong major will negatively impact your GPA and cause unnecessary stress. Avoid the trial and error approach to choosing a major, and do your research ahead of time.
How to Choose a Major
Things to consider before choosing your major include personal interests, talents, career potential of the major, and the cost and location of colleges that offer the major. Assess you interests, skills, and long-term plans. Understand how different majors will strengthen your skills. Make a list of majors that meet your interests and will best help you achieve your career goals. Remember, your major should work for you. If you are still unsure about choosing a major, check out our 10 Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Major to help you make a decision.
Popular and High-Paying Majors
To start your search, look at majors that are popular and lucrative. This information will help you choose between your majors of interest if you are confident about your ability to succeed in a variety of disciplines.
Look at our list of most popular college majors to help you make a decision. These majors are at most colleges, therefore students who have less freedom in choosing a school because of budget will be able to find these programs a school that fits their criteria. Scholarship opportunities are widely available for students studying these majors. Keep in mind that popular majors are extremely competitive in school and within the job market.
Top Ten High Paying Majors
These degrees are going to be the ones that typically result in the highest average starting salaries. This information is based on data provided by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), PayScale, and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
- Petroleum Engineering: Graduates often work in the oil and gas industry, focusing on the extraction of hydrocarbons.
Median early career salary: $94,500
Median mid-career salary: $187,300 - Computer Science: This field covers software development, systems analysis, and more.
Median early career salary: $75,100
Median mid-career salary: $146,200 - Electrical Engineering: Involves the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
Median early career salary: $73,100
Median mid-career salary: $134,100 - Aerospace Engineering: Focuses on the development of aircraft and spacecraft.
Median early career salary: $73,000
Median mid-career salary: $133,100 - Chemical Engineering: Combines physical sciences with life sciences to convert raw materials into valuable products.
Median early career salary: $73,900
Median mid-career salary: $132,700 - Actuarial Science: Involves assessing risk in insurance, finance, and other industries using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory.
Median early career salary: $70,100
Median mid-career salary: $132,100 - Nuclear Engineering: Deals with the application of nuclear processes, such as in energy production and medical treatments.
Median early career salary: $73,800
Median mid-career salary: $127,500 - Information Technology: Covers a wide range of areas, including networking, cybersecurity, and data management.
Median early career salary: $65,800
Median mid-career salary: $123,800 - Mechanical Engineering: Involves the design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems.
Median early career salary: $69,700
Median mid-career salary: $123,500 - Finance: Prepares graduates for careers in investment banking, financial planning, and analysis.
Median early career salary: $61,700
Median mid-career salary: $121,000
If you are able to complete one of these majors and successfully find a job in that field, you will heighten your standard of living post-graduation. Keep in mind that high paying majors do not guarantee a high paying job. You must work hard to reap the rewards. Also keep in mind that most of these degrees are STEM degrees. If you struggle in math, science, or any class required for STEM degrees, you are likely ill-suited for a career in fields like chemical engineering.
Working With Your College Goals
Simply “getting a degree” will not produce an ideal outcome. Find a way to align your choice of major with your academic and career goals. If your major deters you from your goals, you have chosen the wrong major. Pick a major that will push you towards your dream career, and be ready to work hard towards that dream. Be sure your major gives you time to work on other interests. Being well-rounded will make you more marketable in the working world, and make for a fulfilling college experience.