Show Me the Money: College Degrees

words_nicole adlman.

Ever wonder what your degree is actually worth? Or, more importantly, if what you majored in for four years will secure you a viable job? We have. Here are the top five majors most likely to land you in the money and top five least likely to cash in your degree for a yearly salary.

Most likely to land you a job:

1. Engineering – Most people go into this major not knowing what to expect… except a sizeable paycheck after college. In a career with so many subfields (computer, aerospace, and nuclear to name a few), finding a job that suits your expertise shouldn’t be too much of a struggle.
2. Nursing – A degree in nursing is a great stepping stone for a stable and well-paid career in medicine. It’s not a doctor’s salary but it’s a good head start over other professions.
3. Finance – Money, money, money. In a post-Bush economy, a major that teaches you how to manage your finances may be the most valuable of them all.
4. Computer Science – It’s pretty on-trend for the nerds who were beat up in high school to become the multi-billionaire honchos of their own online startups.
5. Math – Who knew your least favorite subject in middle school could be so lucrative? A math major has a realm of options after college: whether becoming an actuary or going on to earn a Ph.D., this degree will draw in big money.

Most likely to land you in debt:

1. English Literature – Reading is knowledge. Knowledge is power. But for English majors, power doesn’t usually translate to a plump paycheck. That said, doing what you love for a career is an excellent consolation prize.
2. Psychology – Just plain ol’ majoring in psychology won’t have you rolling in the money after college. In order to get a well-paid position in the field most psych majors will need to pursue a Ph.D. or Psy.D. after college.
3. Communications – This one can go either way but, for the sake of an argument, we’re going to point out that most journalism majors will have a starting (and mid-career) salary far below what their words are really worth.
4. Religious Studies – Getting closer to God won’t exactly get you closer to a six figure salary. This is a major where the “do what makes you happy” philosophy can come in handy.
5. Social Work – Pure, unadulterated irony: working for the greater good of society is a more than worthwhile profession that is seriously lacking in funds.