Best College Degrees: Top Picks for High-Paying Careers

The degree you pursue will shape your future career and earning potential, so you want to pick the right one. Some degrees are known for leading to high salaries and lots of job prospects, while others provide job security and transferable skills.

Let's look at how you can evaluate different degrees and choose the one that's best for you.

What makes a college degree `the best?'

The best college degree is the one that matches your interests, skill set, and future career plans. However, you may also want to consider the earning potential, job stability, and skills that could come from that degree.

“Every student brings different preferences, needs, and desires to their college search, so there's no way to pin down one best degree,” says Dr. Rachel Rubin, co-founder and admissions consultant at Spark Admissions. “While some students might value degrees that seem to have more straightforward — and often more lucrative — career paths, others might have an academic passion they want to pursue.”

Dr. JoNataye Prather, an education strategist and financial literacy advocate, says you should also consider the networking opportunities your degree could bring. “A degree that fosters meaningful connections with peers and professionals can open doors for future opportunities,” she explains.

Plus, your undergraduate degree isn't always indicative of your future career plans. For example, you could major in English literature and then apply for law school after graduation. Any degree you pursue will teach you transferable skills that can be applied across any industry.

Top college degrees for high-paying careers

Many people want the financial stability and success that comes with a high-paying career. Here are some of the top college degrees by salary, according to an analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York:

• Engineering: Engineering majors tend to earn high salaries right out of college, with a median salary range of $65,000 to $80,000 shortly after graduation. This number can go well over $100,000 by the middle of your career, depending on your engineering specialty.
• Computer science: Graduates earn a median of $78,000 early in their careers, and $110,000 by mid-career.
• Finance: Finance majors earn a median salary of $66,000 after graduation. But by mid-career, this salary range jumps to $104,000.
• Business: As a business major, you can earn a median starting salary of $65,000, which eventually jumps up to $100,000 as you approach the middle of your career.
• Mathematics: Math majors make a median salary of $65,000 early on, with a mid-career salary of $92,000.
• Science: Science majors tend to earn between $40,000 and $60,000 early in their careers. However, pharmacy, physics, and nursing majors earn the most, with an average salary over $62,000. Mid-year salaries start at $70,000 for various science degrees.

Best degrees for job security and growth

Rubin says that degrees in fields like health care, education, engineering, and computer science are some of the best college degrees for job security. “People are always going to need medical providers, and cities are going to continue building structures and designing products,” she explains.

However, she adds that the tides can change in any industry.

“The tech world recently saw large-scale layoffs, and that job market has become much more competitive than it was even a few years ago. For that reason, even students who are pursuing more secure degrees should focus on gaining experience, building a network in the field, and continuing their education beyond college,” she says.

“It's also important to recognize that job security and growth aren't only dependent on a degree but also on adaptability, continuous learning, and networking,” notes Tamanna Ramesh, founder of Spark Career Services. “It's not just about the degree — it's about how you leverage it and continue to grow throughout your career.”

Balancing cost vs. return on investment

The cost of tuition and fees at both public and private universities has been increasing over the years. In the 2024-25 academic year, the average published tuition and fees at a public four-year, in-state university was $11,610, according to the College Board. Back in the 2006-07 year, that number was $9,040.

With rising prices, many students are concerned about how to pay for college. You may also wonder how you can balance the cost of attending college with your potential future earnings.

Rubin says it's important to remember that individuals with a college degree earn more on average than those who only have a high school diploma.

“Of course, these are simply medians, so there is still some implied risk,” she says. “There will be individuals without a college degree who earn substantially more money and individuals with a college degree who earn substantially less. But in general, it's safe to say that college tends to be a smart financial decision.”

Ramesh — who earned over $135,000 in scholarships and assistantships for her two master's degrees — adds that pursuing scholarships, grants, and part-time work while in school can significantly reduce your financial burden.

Current private student loan rates

Alternative degree paths with strong potential

If the traditional college route doesn't appeal to you, here are some alternative degree paths to consider:

• Community college: Community colleges offer a 2-year program that leads to an associate degree. An associate degree can help you land a job as a nurse, paralegal, or dental hygienist, among other roles. 
• Trade schools: Trade schools offer vocational programs that prepare you for work in a specific field, like technology, construction, or cybersecurity. Many people like trade schools because they prepare you for your future career and take much less time to finish than a 4-year education. 
• Technical schools: Technical schools are similar to trade schools in many ways. You can attend a technical school to train for a job in technology, medical administration, public safety, and more.