College is coming up fast and you might not have finalized a decision on what your major will be yet. It’s a decision that should be taken seriously and with great consideration. So this raises an interesting question.
What is a good major?
What makes a good major is multi-faceted and will depend on your own priorities and goals. If the question “What do you want to do when you grow up?” leaves you uncertain, consider what’s important to you. If you’re driven by the quantitative, the best majors will be high-paying and most likely in STEM.
If you want to follow your dreams and passions, that fulfillment may come at the cost of lower financial earnings, though there are many high earners in the arts and humanities as well. All majors have inherent societal value despite there being differences in compensation.
With those considerations, for most people, a good major has two key requirements. First, it needs to have a good starting salary.
Second, there needs to be good growth potential.
Since everyone has different passions and we cannot financially quantify the fulfillment of pursuing one’s passions, we ranked the top college majors according to their starting salary, median salary and their forecasted growth in demand in the years to come. But we also included some of the most meaningful majors in a separate section.
Note: The figures in this article come from The US Bureau of Labor Statistics
1. Petroleum Engineering
- Starting Median Salary: $84,000
- Mid-Career: $126,000
- Future Growth: 3%
Petroleum engineering is on the top of this list for providing high earnings potential both starting and mid-career combined with a high percentage of workers who report finding meaning in their work. As you might expect, the job market for petroleum engineering is intensely competitive.
The coursework for this major is rigorous and suited for those with a strong background in math and science. Petroleum engineering majors can expect a high-intensity program covering areas including engineering, economics, and environmental studies.
Due to the competitive environment for this industry, students should consider pursuing a master’s or even a Ph.D. in the field to further their chances of success once they enter the field and into the future.
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2. Cybersecurity
- Starting Median Salary: $75,000
- Mid-Career: $116,000
- Future Growth: 28%
With the world’s current and growing reliance on technology, it should come as no surprise that cyber security majors are in demand. The Oct 4th outage of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp as well as the data leaks that plague giants like Target and Home Depot was a clear demonstration for the world how critically important cyber security is.
Cyber security majors can land jobs in the government, at consulting firms or becoming in-house analysts for tech companies. The growth of new tech sectors mean demand for cyber-security professionals will only increase.
3. Nuclear Engineering
- Starting Median Salary: $68,000
- Mid-Career: $109,000
- Future Growth: 1%
The field of nuclear engineering is rather specialized, but the financial rewards can be an incentive for those who wish to pursue this major. With the need to pursue cleaner energy sources, Nuclear energy may be poised for a comeback.
The coursework for this major is rigorous and includes learning nuclear physics and how nuclear energy works, along with the safety procedures that come along with nuclear energy.
In addition to the challenging nature of the coursework, another potential obstacle is that many employers may require a Master’s or even Ph.D.
4. Software Engineering
- Starting Median Salary: $74,000
- Mid-Career: $102,000
- Future Growth: 21%
The popularity of software engineering as a field should come as no shock to anyone. Silicon Valley constantly gains media attention for its lucrative salaries. However, there are still many high-paying jobs outside of the valley which will only increase as remote work gains traction and new tech hubs emerge.
A major in this specialty will likely feature classes in application programming, core computer concepts, cloud technology, and database systems development. It will teach future engineers some skills that will be transferable to other technology-related fields.
5. Physics
- Starting Median Salary: $74,000
- Mid-Career: $102,000
- Future Growth: 9%
Physics is another strong major to pursue because it provides plenty of opportunities for bachelor’s degree holders, but it also opens up a track for students who wish to pursue an advanced degree.
Physics graduates can usually find work as engineers in various sectors or in potential roles working in academia and research. This is a top college major because research roles in physics can be particularly lucrative.
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6. Computer Science
- Starting Median Salary: $62,000
- Mid-Career: $102,000
- Future Growth: 16%
Computer Science is one of the most popular college majors in the technology field for 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for those with expertise in this field is constantly growing for an expected 22% between 2020-2030. Much of this growth in demand is expected to be to replace existing workers.
Computer science majors are quickly becoming an essential part of any corporation, with projects ranging from driverless cars, data mining, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Students in this top college major will likely study a range of different modules, including cloud technology, program design, and software development. Computer science majors will likely spend a considerable amount of time sharpening up their coding and programming skills.
Since computer science is a top college major, a number of colleges offer 100% online computer science degrees.
7. Chemistry
- Starting Median Salary: $66,000
- Mid-Career: $99,000
- Future Growth: 6%
Chemistry is another difficult, yet rewarding major. Coursework will cover various areas of chemistry such as organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry.
A degree in Chemistry can provide opportunities for several career paths. One of the most common jobs for a chemistry major is a chemist, though working in chemical research or in a laboratory of some kind is another incredibly popular career route for graduates.
A popular option for many chemistry majors is to continue their education towards a master’s degree or even a Ph.D. while working in a research facility.
8. Economics
- Starting Salary: $58,000
- Mid-Career: $98,000
- Future Growth: 8%
For those with an interest in business, human behavior and perhaps geopolitics, economics is an exciting major that’s expected to grow in demand as companies and governments are faced with more and more data to analyze and interpret.
Economics coursework will refine your understanding of general business and finance. You’ll also learn how to apply those concepts to understanding our interconnected world providing a wide breadth of career options.
Many economists work in the public sector or for think tanks, but there are also many opportunities for economics majors to work as analysts, particularly in the finance sector.
9. Electronics Engineering
- Starting Salary: $64,000
- Mid-Career: $95,000
- Future Growth: 2%
Although the line between electrical engineering and electronics engineering are often blurred, they are two distinct fields. Electronics engineers need to design and create electronic devices and the demand for this skill is constantly growing.
Majoring in electronics engineering will inform you of all the latest developments in the industry along with several more practical elements. Prominent aspects of this major include product design and project management.
10. Information Technology
- Starting Salary: $60,000
- Mid-Career: $93,000
- Future Growth: 5%
Information technology lives on the border where business and technology meet. As with cyber security as more technology is developed and as the economy shifts further in this direction, a major in information technology can be very lucrative for a long time to come.
An information technology degree can open up doors for many potential jobs. Potential career paths include programming, cyber-security, software development, application development, and many more that might not exist yet. Consider that there are estimated to be nearly 9 million mobile developers as of this writing, a job that practically didn’t exist prior to the advent of the iPhone in 2007.
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Most Meaningful College Majors
And there we have it, by our estimate the top ten best college majors of 2021. Many of them however were slanted towards engineering and technology. So as a bonus, let’s look at our top 5 college majors based on the meaning that graduates derive from them.
Note: This data comes from Payscale’s 2021 College Salary Report
1. Drug and Alcohol Studies
93% of graduates find meaning in their career
As a student majoring in alcohol and drug studies you learn to work with the alcohol and other drug-dependent population, and the family and employer of the chemically dependent person.
In some ways it is unfortunate that demand for workers in this field will continue to grow for the foreseeable future, outpacing demand for many other fields at 23% between 2020-2030. Despite the challenges, employees in this field find great meaning in being able to help others cope with and overcome addiction.
Career paths for a drug and alcohol studies major include addiction counselor, case manager, program director, prevention educator, rehabilitation counselor, and others.
2. Music Therapy
93% of graduates find meaning in their career
For the musically inclined who would like to help others, a degree in music therapy provides another highly satisfying career path. The coursework is designed to impart entry-level competencies in three main areas: musical foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy foundations and principles as specified in the AMTA Professional Competencies. The major also requires 1200 hours of clinical training, including a supervised internship.
Music Therapy is a health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address the physical, psychological, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. A qualified music therapist uses music as a treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. It’s estimated that there will be a demand for 26,660 new music therapists by 2029.
3. Radiation Therapy
92% of graduates find meaning in their career
Radiation therapy is a major that requires an extremely well-rounded individual. One who wishes to pursue this field should have a mixture of critical thinking skills, interest in medical knowledge, and a level of extroversion since radiation therapists deal directly with patients.
Although the major coursework and the field itself can be demanding, it provides a high level of fulfillment by allowing you to truly get involved in the process of saving lives. Specifically, a radiation therapist administers radiation in the treatment of cancer and to ease symptoms of the disease. Take note that to work in the field, your R.T. credential will require some post-primary clinical hours followed by continuing qualifications requirements. Demand is expected to remain strong with a forecast of 9% growth between 2020-2030.
4. Pastoral Ministry
83% of graduates report finding meaning in their work
While there are technically a few more majors in between radiation therapy and pastoral ministry in terms of fulfillment, many were in the medical field and we wanted to provide some variety. Pastoral ministry is a great major for those who want to serve their local community through religion.
Coursework includes classes such as biblical studies, evangelism, and preaching, along with a ministry apprenticeship. Pastoral ministry majors often choose to add another major that provides even more skills to deploy in the ministry such as psychology, communication, English or business. Demand growth is difficult to forecast.
5. Social Services
82% of graduates report finding meaning in their work
The social services major is a great one for people who want to help people in a direct manner outside of the medical and religious systems. The social work major teaches students to identify people and communities who need help. Coursework typically covers assessment, advocacy, and best practices for clinical intervention. A bachelor’s degree in social work prepares graduates to work with individuals, groups, and community organizations.
Pursuing a master’s degree in social work will open up the opportunity to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). With this credential, you can provide one-on-one psychotherapy or deliver advanced clinical services. If you want to hold a program management or supervisory position in social work or work in politics on social justice matters, you should pursue a master’s in social work. The growth in demand for social workers is estimated to be quite robust with at 12% between 2020-2030.
Wrap up
Choosing a college major is a serious decision with considerations for income, future demand, as well as how much meaning you can derive from a career in that field. In this piece, we covered ten lucrative college majors with strong career prospects and demand growth along with five majors that people find the most meaningful. Need help or advice with choosing a school or navigating the admissions process? Contact FLS Tutors for a free consultation
