If you are looking to study something that will lead to a lucrative career, look no further! Read on to learn about what makes these top 20 degrees so popular. We’ll also give you a rundown of the type of job prospects you might have after graduating.
When the area of study you want to focus on in college, it is important to look at degrees that are in demand. These degrees might have more competition, meaning you’ll have to work extra hard for admittance.
In this article, we will outline the 20 degrees that are in high demand, why students flock to them and answer a few frequently asked questions.
Let's get started!
Before choosing an educational path, it’s always a good idea to consider job availability and need. Also, remember that the best degree to get depends on your interests, career goals, and the field that aligns with your passions and strengths. Now, let’s get into our list of college degrees in demand.
Engineering is a high-demand field, offering some of the most promising career opportunities. Engineering can be broken down into many different specializations, with the original four being civil, mechanical, chemical, and electrical.
These four branches of engineering have been broken down even more to include such things as biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering and computer hardware engineering.
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Between 2022 and 2032, jobs in architecture and engineering are expected to grow faster than the average across all occupations. On average, there will be approximately 188,000 job openings each year in these fields. Keep in mind, though, that each specialization has its own specific growth projection.
Chemical engineering, for example, is projected to have 8% growth in the next decade, which makes chemical engineering one of the most in-demand majors.
Salaries among engineers are also high, with a median annual wage of $87,531. Again, depending on which specialization you choose, you could make over $100,000 a year, which makes engineering one of the degrees that are in demand.
In terms of careers, there is a wide variety of options for engineers as their skills are in high demand. Some of the most popular career choices are aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental engineering and computer hardware engineering.
With the amount of choice in terms of career path, it is no wonder why engineering is one of the college degrees that are in demand.
Applied mathematics majors will study advanced arithmetic courses, which will assist them in gaining entry into careers such as actuaries, data scientists, statisticians, and operation research analysts.
These career choices are very popular and are projected to grow by 30% in the next decade. According to the BLS, there will be 33,500 jobs in the mathematics sector per year for the next ten years. This type of growth means that students who study applied mathematics will be able to use their degree in numerous avenues.
Another reason that applied mathematics is a degree that is in demand is the high salary associated with their jobs. The average wage for applied mathematicians is around $102,500. With such a high average salary, taking applied mathematics as a major could be a very lucrative decision.
Another one of the degrees that are in high demand is computer science. Computer science incorporates subjects such as software development, web development, AI engineering and more, allowing students to work in many different positions within the technology industry.
Job growth within this industry definitely draws students to this high-demand major. According to the BLS, we can expect to see 23% growth over the next ten years. This means that if you are able to take this degree that is in high demand, you are very likely to get a job once you graduate.
Not only will you be able to get a job, but the job you get will also be very well-paid. The median annual wage for computer science degree holders is $111,952 per year, which puts this degree in high demand among college students.
There are a lot of options for students with a computer major degree, as they are able to use their skills to work as software developers, video game developers or computer programmers. These are just some of the options, which is why computer science is a high-demand degree program.
Due to the popularity of travel and tourism, one of the degrees that are in high demand is hospitality. Hospitality or hotel and restaurant management is a very popular industry where students will learn about how to run a business smoothly while keeping it profitable.
Seven out of the top 20 fastest-growing industries belong to the leisure and hospitality sector, meaning students graduating from this major would be able to find a job relatively easily. Approximately 23.1 percent of all projected new jobs are anticipated to be within the leisure and hospitality industry, which is another reason why this college degree is in demand.
The median US salary for those in the hospitality industry is $57,716. For students who want to have a good income right after college, hospitality is a great major to choose.
With a hospitality degree, you can work in hotel management, event space management or dining facilities. With this amount of choice in career, it is clear why hospitality is a high-demand degree.
Business management is a degree that's in high demand. Business management courses teach students to establish plans and policies for an organization as well as oversee people, products, and services.
There are a lot of career opportunities for people who get a business management degree, as they can get a management position for any type of business.
One reason this degree is in high demand is that there is good job growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected growth in the industry of 8%, which translates to around 1.1 million new jobs this coming decade.
This means that people with a business management degree will be able to find a job after graduating, which is what differentiates degrees that are in demand from those that are not.
Another good reason for this degree to be in high demand is that salary rates are high. Business management's median average wage is $87,366 in 2024. Having a high salary right after school can drive more interest in a subject, and business management degrees are in demand due to this association.
Some examples of careers that can be entered after obtaining a degree in business management are facility manager, marketing manager or office manager.
Nursing is one of the degrees that are in high demand in 2024. Becoming a registered nurse requires students to learn how to care for patients in different healthcare facilities. Registered nurses need to successfully complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing and pass their licensing exams.
Nursing is projected to grow by 6% in the next ten years, with about 193,100 job openings within that same time period. Those wishing to become a nurse in the next few years will be making around $70,745 per year, which is the median wage in 2024.
Having a lot of job opportunities and good income is why nursing has become one of the degrees that are in demand in colleges around the country.
Nurses have a lot of options in where they work, which is another reason the degree is in high demand. Nurses can work in hospitals, doctor offices, health clinics, home health care or long-term care facilities. Nurses are often able to choose what type of nursing they find the most interesting, making their career very fulfilling.
Education degrees are in high demand because there is a lot of need for teachers. In order to become a teacher, students learn about the developmental goals of children and classroom management.
When getting a degree in education, you can pick the age you feel most comfortable teaching and learn how to teach lessons that are appropriate for that age group.
On average, there are approximately 67,100 projected annual job openings for high school teachers over the course of a decade. Teachers also make a decent wage, with the median average salary for elementary teachers being $65,123 and university professors being $101,060.
With good job prospects and good salaries, it is no surprise why education is one of the degrees in high demand.
Finance is another degree that is in demand in 2024. Studying finance will train students to be involved in the day-to-day financial activities of a business, such as accounting or budgets. Career options for those with a finance degree are numerous and include such things as a financial advisor, accountant, and financial analyst.
Those wanting to get a degree in finance will have to decide on a specific area to study and possibly get registered. For example, if you want to be an accountant, you have to get a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and then pass a licensing exam to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Job growth in this sector is steady, with a projected 8% growth in the next decade, which would be about 911,400 new jobs. The amount of jobs makes finance one of the degrees that are in demand in 2024. Those in this sector make an average salary between $69,590 and $129,580, though it’s worth noting this category is quite broad.
Though you could become a construction manager without going to college, for people who would like to work for larger construction firms, a bachelor’s degree in construction management is needed.
With construction being in high demand, it shouldn’t be a surprise that having a construction manager degree is also in demand. Jobs in the construction industry are growing at a rate of 5%, and with salaries averaging around $118,800, it is easy to see why these degrees are in high demand.
With a degree in construction management, you have a lot of choices of career paths. You can work as a private construction manager, working as an independent contractor, or working with a large construction firm working on large projects.
The various career options make construction management an in-demand College degree which could be very lucrative.
A degree in information technology can prepare a student for careers in computer support systems, network administration and information security analysis. Nowadays, almost every business needs someone with the type of expertise that these workers have, which is why IT is one of the degrees in demand.
Job growth in IT is projected to be around 23% in the next ten years, meaning there will continue to be a lot of jobs for new graduates. The BLS predicts that from now until 2031, there will be around 377,500 new positions each year.
Those who earn a degree in IT also earn high salaries. The average wage for IT support managers is $135,549 per year. Having a high salary right out of college can be a huge draw to students and is one of the reasons this degree is in high demand.
Students who get a degree in pharmaceutical science can go on to work in drug research, testing, development, sales, and more. These are all degrees that are in demand as they lead to steady jobs with good salaries.
With a pharmaceutical science degree, you can become a clinical research associate, lab technician, pharmaceutical representative, and so much more. Because the range is so wide, it’s challenging to narrow down salary expectations. However, in general, the typical salary for a Pharmaceutical Scientist is $57,700.
However, lab technicians and similar positions are steadily growing at rates of around 5%, which should continue over the next decade.
Architecture is another degree that’s in high demand. In this program, students learn how to plan and design buildings, including houses, factories, or condo buildings.
An architecture degree typically requires at least four years of schooling and a paid internship, and graduates must pass a licensing exam before they can become professionals.
One of the reasons architecture is one of the degrees that are in high demand is that they have consistent job growth. The BLS projects that there will be about 6,000 new jobs in the architecture sector before 2031.
Students looking for a job once they graduate will also be happy to know that the average median wage for architects is $102,730 per year, which is fairly high.
Also, there is a wide range of opportunities for architects once they have finished their schooling. Depending on their interests, they can work on designing homes, buildings or urban landscapes. With all the different opportunities for architects, it makes sense that this is one of the College degrees that are in demand.
When looking at the above degrees that are in high demand, we see that industries that have the most growth or high salaries seem to be popular.
Healthcare administration is the backstage management of healthcare, focused on ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. With a median salary of $104,830 and a growth projection of 28% through 2032, it's a field with many opportunities.
In school, students learn a variety of skills to run healthcare facilities well. They study things like management, organization, health policy, and business.
After graduation, they can step into roles like clinical managers, health service managers, or work in health information management. These jobs make sure healthcare places run smoothly and take care of patients.
Good administrators are really important in today's healthcare world. They help deal with rules, use resources well, and make sure everything is top-notch. A degree in healthcare administration puts you in a position to make a real difference in healthcare and people's lives.
Business administration offers a median salary of $76,000 and a growth projection of 8% through 2032. Students learn about business theory, leadership, and ethical decision-making.
Their focus is on practical skills to improve organizational efficiency and daily operations. This includes strategic planning, research, forecasting, and entrepreneurship.
Courses cover topics like business management, operations, ethics, and leadership. After graduation, they can work as business operations specialists, general managers, operations managers, or management analysts.
Their impact is significant, driving innovation and growth in the business sector. With a business administration degree, they can excel in various industries and contribute to organizational success.
Economics is a field that deals with the study of how societies use scarce resources to produce and distribute goods and services. People with an economics degree typically make around $113,940 a year, and the field is expected to grow by 6% by 2032.
Students studying economics learn math and data skills to understand economic principles. They also take classes in big-picture economics, small-scale economics, and business numbers.
After graduation, they often work in planning roles in companies. They might be data experts, market researchers, risk analysts, or managers handling pay and benefits. They use their skills to solve challenging economic problems in the real world.
Basically, economics is about understanding how money and resources move around and using that knowledge to help make smart decisions in different businesses and industries.
The median salary for computer graphics majors is $57,990, with a growth projection of 3% through 2030.
Students in this major dive into a four-year program that mixes computer science with art, focusing on game design. They learn how to use computer programming and various software tools to create digital designs and code graphic systems. Projects cover everything from two-dimensional images to three-dimensional graphics and photography.
The program offers specializations like interactive multimedia, animation, and construction graphics. Graduates can pursue careers in web tech, engineering, architecture, and computer-aided design (CAD).
With the video game industry booming, there are a lot of job opportunities. Besides game programming, grads can work in multimedia design, game creative direction, and designing game characters and environments.
If you're having difficulty deciding which profession to pursue, give our career quiz a try and discover your dream career!
To pick the perfect college major, start by understanding yourself and your goals. Explore different majors, talk to professors, and consider job prospects and costs. Get involved in activities related to your interests, and don't be afraid to seek advice from family, friends, and advisors to address your college application needs.
Let’s take a look at each of these tips.
Remember that choosing a college major is a journey, and it's okay to change your mind and explore different paths. Enjoy the process of exploring your interests and passions, and utilize the resources available to you to make an informed decision about your future.
Here are the top three frequently asked questions about in-demand college degrees.
Architecture and engineering degrees offer the most job opportunities due to the wide variety of specializations available. Students can choose a specialization that aligns with their passions and interests within these fields.
A degree in business management often leads to high salaries immediately after graduation. Business management graduates have the potential to earn a good living and eventually move into CEO positions with sufficient experience.
Degrees related to technology, such as computer science, information technology, or engineering, are excellent choices for the future. These fields consistently require skilled professionals, and job growth projections indicate a strong demand for graduates with these degrees.
The most useful degree is business management due to its flexibility. It is not a niche degree and can land you jobs in various fields.
When looking at the different college degrees that are in demand, it becomes apparent that students want jobs that have good growth potential and high salaries. To make sure they are successful, students flock to the degrees that result in a career, which makes a lot of sense in a world of economic instability.
