The Best Degrees for the Future: 20 Future-Proof Degrees for Students

The Best Degrees for the Future: 20 Future-Proof Degrees for Students
By Dave Tomar
Published:
Updated:

Key Takeaways

  • Earning a degree is an investment in your future, so it is important to be aware of how your chosen degree will impact future career opportunities in a competitive job market.
  • Staying current with technology and continually updating skills is vital to thrive in a dynamic job market.
  • Adaptable individuals who embrace lifelong learning will remain competitive as technology replaces tasks, ensuring career longevity and avoiding obsolescence.
  • Graduates with a computer-related major often enjoy some of the highest job growth rates and median salary potentials.
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Future Proofing With Excellent College Majors

Today’s job market landscape has drastically changed over the years. While new positions are always introduced, some sadly fade away. The only way to stay afloat in such a challenging job market is to always be aware of the latest trends in the business world.

From flight attendants to broadcast journalists, jobs are growing faster than ever. LinkedIn lists thousands of new professions every day.

Regardless of your present occupation, there is no guarantee that your job description today will be the same in three, seven, or ten years. The rise of new tools in AI like ChatGPT will necessitate that you are nimble and willing to be flexible with the changing times. What’s important in this job climate is that you stay prepared, ensuring you won’t be left behind.

Future-Proofing your Career

Choose a college major that is hard to automate. While a major part of modern life is dominated by technology, a world entirely run by robots seems a little far-fetched. There will always be tasks that cannot be done without human involvement, at least not in the near future, so future-proofing your career should always be top-of-mind.

And, if you are in a field that leverages automation, use it to your advantage. Copywriters, for instance, are now facing stark competition in AI generated content. But writers who learn to use generative AI will be able to increase their efficiency and quality of work, making them more desirable to employers.

Think About Surgery

One example of a field that relies heavily on technology is medicine. However, technology is not the only component of medicine.

Special cameras, tools, monitors, and other solutions help make the doctor’s job easier. However, the surgeon’s hand is still required and performs the most important task. Perhaps a robot will hold the scalpel one day, but surgeries will still need humans to oversee the whole process and make important decisions.

Be Digital Savvy

From ordering a cup of hot coffee to GP consultations, more transactions and interactions are completed online and on-demand each day, thanks to the constant improvement of digital technologies. Learning the basics of computer science can help you in your day-to-day life as well as set you up for a successful career.

Stay updated with the latest digital tools and strategies to future-proof your career. Social media, mobile web, social monitoring, and sponsored content are some relatively new digital media trends you should have an intimate knowledge of.

Try to Go Solo

As industries and workplaces are continuously evolving towards more flexible and agile operations, being willing and able to go freelance is one of the best ways to future-proof your career.

In recent years, and particularly during the pandemic, freelance jobs have experienced popularity, especially among the current generation who are not used to working a 9-5 day job.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that in the US, one in three workers was already earning income from a non-traditional nine-to-five work model.

Freelance professions with the highest expected growth levels include management analysts, personal aide care, auditors, accountants, and childcare workers.

Be Open to Change

Increasingly, Millennials and Gen Z’s don’t enjoy the idea of having a job with a routine schedule, punching a timecard, and settling for a meager reward for years of work.

Instead, they prefer to embrace change and job-hop their way into more challenging and fulfilling roles. In 2014, the Harvard Business Review stated that today’s typical executive profile has dramatically changed over the last three decades.

Leaders in some of the top Fortune 500 companies during the 80s considered themselves “lifers,” the ones who spent 20, 30, or more years working for the same company.

Over the years, the number of lifers in top executive positions has declined steeply. As the Economist puts it, the road to the top is bumpy, but there will always be that one biggest differentiator—your higher education level.

Bottom Line: To stay competitive and make sure that you future-proof whatever college degree you decide to pursue, you must be open to change. Instead of fighting against changing technologies and emerging markets, be ready to continue developing and learning new skills so that you can stay ahead of the competition—even if that competition includes AI—in the workplace.

New developments, like ChatGPT, are likely here to stay, and will only continue to improve with time, so seeking a degree that requires human interaction is the best way to future-proof your career.

What are the best degrees of the future?

The best degrees are those that prepare you to compete for jobs in tomorrow’s workplace. Today, we are experiencing a massive rise in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in every sector of the economy. Retail chains, financial institutions, and production facilities are finding new ways to streamline and automate functions once performed by human beings.

In other words, machines are replacing people in countless jobs, even those that require a college education. This is why it is so important to think about the long-term implications of your chosen college degree.

You do not want to spend 4 to 6 years and tens of thousands of dollars on a degree only to see your job replaced by a robot in a decade. Fortunately, automation does not have to be a threat to your future job security and livelihood.

With the right college degree, you could actually seize on opportunity in this changing job market. The Brookings Institution points out that “workers who can complement the new automation, and perform tasks beyond the abilities of machines, often enjoy rising compensation.”

Would you like to attend a college where cutting-edge innovation converges with academic excellence? Check out our ranking of the most technologically advanced colleges in the United States.

Interested in a degree that would allow you to work from home? Check out our article The 20 Best Degrees For Working From Home.

Bottom Line: As you choose the right degree for you, think about how artificial intelligence could impact the future of your field. Make sure to think of the long-term implications of choosing whichever degree and career you decide on.

So how can you make sure you are among those skilled and valued workers? Start with a look at the 20 Best College Degrees For the Future...

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How We Ranked the Best Degrees of the Future

Academic Influence makes sure to evaluate huge amounts of publicly available data to inform its rankings. We ranked the best degrees of the future by first measuring the growth rate for prospective career paths against the overall projected rate of growth for all jobs over the course of the coming decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook, the projected growth rate for all jobs between 2020 and 2030 is 8%.

  • Our ranking includes only degrees leading to careers with growth rates that are roughly equal to or higher than this average 8% rate of growth.
  • Degrees were also selected for their versatility (i.e. the variety of career paths possible with each degree).
  • Finally, most of the degrees included here are either complimentary to the rise of automation, or represent functions that can only be performed by human beings.
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The Best Degrees of the Future

  1. 1

    Cybersecurity Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 32%

    Average Annual Salary: $112,000

    A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is a 120-credit hour program that focuses on key cybersecurity topics like network security, data surveillance, cloud computing, and more. Graduates will have the knowledge to defend against growing cybersecurity threats from hackers, criminals, and hostile foreign governments.

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity great for the future?

    A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is one of the best degrees for future employment. The cybersecurity sector currently has over 3.5 million vacant positions, and the demand for qualified professionals will grow over the next 10 years as cyber-attacks become more sophisticated.

    Cybersecurity has a competitive job market that calls for complicated decision-making, risk assessment, and the use of human discretion in addition to technology. While AI can automate some repetitive jobs, spot trends, and analyze enormous volumes of data, it still needs human oversight and interaction to make crucial decisions, deal with novel and sophisticated threats, and comprehend the broader context of cybersecurity.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity great for the future?

    The bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is a great degree for the future because the demand is extremely high for professionals with a background in cybersecurity and related areas like network security and systems administration. Private companies, school districts, and government agencies all need cybersecurity professionals and in many cases, your duties as a cybersecurity professional will work in complement to emergent automated technologies.

    What is the current job market like for the bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity?

    Information Security Analysts earned a median salary of $102,600 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at an extremely robust rate of 33% between now and 2030, with 47,100 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity.

  2. 2

    Mathematics Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 23%

    Average Annual Salary: $99,590

    Mathematics bachelor’s degrees are 120-credit hour programs that cover both the fundamentals of mathematics, and more advanced topics like complex variables, number theory, and vector calculus. A bachelor’s degree in mathematics blends logic, abstract thought, and linear reasoning, challenging students to think critically and analytically.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in math?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in math can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in mathematics great for the future?

    Bachelor’s in mathematics graduates have advanced math skills that will qualify them for an extremely wide range of jobs in a variety of high-growth industries, including  finance, education, public health, private entrepreneurship, and much more.

    Some of the top-paying professions may require an advanced degree. But generally speaking, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in math will be in a strong position to take on new roles necessitated by the rise in machine learning and AI-based technology.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in mathematics?

    Mathematicians and statisticians earned a median salary of $96,280 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at an incredible rate of 33% between now and 2030, with 15,000 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in mathematics?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in mathematics?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Mathematics.

  3. 3

    Health Science Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 28%

    Average Annual Salary: $77,760

    The bachelor’s degree in health science is a 120-credit degree that  prepares students for a wide variety of successful careers in public and private health—both in caregiving and administrative roles. Topics include health promotion, disease prevention, ethical decision-making, individual patient care, and public health.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in health science?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in health science can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in health science great for the future?

    The bachelor’s degree in health science is a great degree for the future because this versatile degree prepares you for career paths in the healthcare field or lays the foundation for advanced degrees in subjects like medicine, dentistry, and physical therapy. Recent events like the global COVID-19 pandemic and a sustained shortage of qualified healthcare workers demonstrate the continued and growing need for health science professionals. In an era of automation, the most essential health science and healthcare roles must still be performed by capable humans.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in health science?

    Medical and Health Service Managers earned a median salary of $101,340 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a dramatically accelerated rate of 32% between now and 2030, with 139,600 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in health science?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in health science?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Science.

  4. 4

    Philosophy Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 26%

    Average Annual Salary: $77,760

    Philosophy is an interdisciplinary major that will necessarily incorporate aspects of other subjects like political science, legal studies, and linguistics. A bachelor’s degree in philosophy requires 120 credit hours and includes thoughtful debates, discuss complex ethical dilemmas, and explore the boundaries of logic. Philosophy is one of the top degrees held by law school students because it includes logic (argumentation), ethics, epistemology, perception, language, politics, and the history of law.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in philosophy great for the future?

    The bachelor’s degree in philosophy is a great degree for the future because graduates will qualify for a wide range of opportunities in education, public policy, organizational leadership, and more. The skills that students refine in the study of philosophy—research, writing, rhetoric, analytical reasoning, and logical argumentation—are incredibly valuable in a wide spectrum of leadership and consultation roles. Moreover, these are skills that cannot be performed by machines.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in philosophy?

    Graduates with a degree in philosophy earned a median salary of $55,000 in 2019. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for postsecondary teachers with a degree in philosophy are expected to grow at a rate 24% between now and 2030.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in philosophy?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in philosophy?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Philosophy.

  5. 5

    Computer Science Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 25%

    Average Annual Salary: $100,530

    A bachelor’s degree in computer science requires students to complete 120 credit hours in four years. Students explore topics in this computer related college major such as software systems development, programming languages, algorithms, and artificial intelligence. Students will also learn the fundamentals of computing hardware and architecture

    Many students will choose a concentration such as software engineering, computer engineering, or information technology.

    What career paths can you take with a bachelor’s degree in computer science?

    Students pursuing a college major in computer science can get jobs as:

    Why is a college degree in computer science in high demand and great for the future?

    The bachelor’s degree in computer science is a great degree for the future because graduates with this degree will qualify for employment in a variety of industries from finance and education to healthcare administration and supply chain management. Simply stated, computing technology is the foundation of our economy and our way of life. As long as there are advancements in technology, there will be a need for individuals who can create, manage, and maintain it.

    A degree in computer science could be your ticket into almost any industry or sector, and your path to a profession that dovetails perfectly with the rise in automation.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in computer science?

    Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers earned a median salary of $110,140 in 2020. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a remarkable rate of 22% between now and 2030, with 409,500 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in computer science?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in computer science?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science.

  7. 6

    Public Health Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 7%

    Average Annual Salary: $59,990

    The bachelor’s degree in public health allows students to explore various topics, such as  epidemiology, nutrition, health statistics, and more. This 120-credit program prepares students for careers in public health outreach and advocacy, as well as jobs in social, community, and human services. Many students who earn a bachelor’s degree in public health will subsequently sit for the national certification exam to become a certified health education specialist (CHES).

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in public health?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in public health can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in public health great for the future?

    The need for better distribution of public health outreach, awareness, and resources can only be fulfilled by compassionate and engaged public health professionals.

    A public health career focuses on areas like policy, health promotion, infectious diseases, and access to healthcare. Communities throughout the United States and beyond have demonstrated considerable need in all of these areas. Consequently, the demand for professionals to fulfill this need is high.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in public health?

    Health education specialists and community health workers earned a median salary of $48,860 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a much faster than average rate of 17% between now and 2030, with 21,100 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in public health?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in public health?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Health.

  8. 7

    Communications Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 14%

    Average Annual Salary: $66,240

    The 120-credit bachelor’s degree in communication studies the way that human beings create, convey, and receive meaning from one another. It explores the theories underlying human interaction, the practical technologies we use to mediate communication, and the best practices for effectively communicating and receiving ideas. Courses include interpersonal communication, persuasion, communication theory, crisis communication, nonverbal communication, and political communication.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in communications?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in communications can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in communications great for the future?

    Strong communication skills are among the most important 21st Century workplace skills in every industry, including marketing, education, human resources, social media, public relations, broadcasting, the creative arts, and so much more. And because effective communication relies so deeply on understanding human behavior, communication majors are in a position both to perform functions that can only be handled by humans, and to work in complement with AI technology as it “learns” to communicate more effectively with humans.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in communications?

    Professionals in media and communication occupations earned a median salary of $62,340 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a much faster than average rate of 14% between now and 2030, with 151,500 jobs added in an array of media, communication, and public relations fields.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in communications?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in communications?

    Start your search with a look at the The Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Communications.

  9. 8

    Economics Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 6%

    Average Annual Salary: $113,940

    An online bachelor’s degree in economics requires 120 credit hours, featuring the courses production, consumption, wealth transfer, and the way these activities relate to policy and governance. An economics degree will also incorporate such core principles as monetary policy, budget planning, and cost analysis.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in economics?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in economics can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in economics great for the future?

    The bachelor’s degree in economics helps students apply for a host of highly lucrative fields, including finance, policy development, and marketing. Abilities such as budget analysis, cost estimation, and market analysis make economics majors highly employable regardless of the labor climate.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in economics?

    Economists earned a median salary of $105,630 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 13% between now and 2030, with 2,400 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in economics?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in economics?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Economics.

  10. 9

    Digital Media Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 16%

    Average Annual Salary: $83,240

    A 120-credit hour bachelor’s degree in digital media studies web-mediated communication, focusing on social media and digital marketing. Digital media is an increasingly foundational subject area as the demand for qualified professionals permeates every industry from advertising and education to public health outreach and political campaigning. Digital media degree is a great option for college students with a wide range of personal interests and career goals.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in digital media?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in digital media can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in digital media great for the future?

    The future job market for individuals with a degree in digital media is promising. Graduates gain a variety of in-demand technical and practical skills valuable in all industries that rely on digital media to communicate, advertise, and engage. They can explore employment opportunities as video editors, multimedia artists, videographers, copywriters, web designers, graphic designers, and much more. Fortunately, most careers relating to digital media are projected to grow alongside the robust software, web development, and social media sectors.

    What is the current job market like for the bachelor’s degree in digital media?

    Web Developers and Digital Designers earned a median salary of $77,200 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a faster than average rate of 13% between now and 2030, with 25,500 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in digital media?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in digital media?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media.

  11. 10

    Social Work Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 7%

    Average Annual Salary: $55,350

    The bachelor’s degree in social work is a 120-credit degree that provides students with the skills and knowledge to serve marginalized communities, advocate for at-risk individuals, facilitate the distribution of public resources, and plan interventions at the individual, family, and population levels. Students will study topics like behavioral psychology, social welfare policies, ethics, and addiction.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in social work?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in social work can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in social work great for the future?

    There is a need for service, intervention, and distribution of resources as inequality and socioeconomic disparity are widespread in the US that can only be addressed by professionals in the social work and social services sectors. A bachelor’s degree in social work can help you become an advocate for those who need it most while earning a job that only a human being can do.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in social work?

    Social workers earned a median salary of $50,390 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a faster than average rate of 12% between now and 2030, with 89,200 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in social work?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in social work?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work

  13. 11

    Information Technology (IT) Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 15%

    Average Annual Salary: $164,070

    The bachelor’s degree in information technology is a 120-credit hour program that covers a range of subjects, including network administration, programming, project management, and IT for businesses. Students can choose concentrations like telecommunications, cybersecurity, or software development. The program equips students with the skills to troubleshoot technical and security issues, manage computer software, systems, and networks.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in information technology?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in information technology can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in information technology great for the future?

    The bachelor’s degree in information technology will set you on a path toward a lucrative career in a high demand field. Like many of the other technology-based degrees on this list—cybersecurity, computer science, data science, etc.—a bachelor’s degree in IT can provide you with the skills to complement our rising dependency on computers, automation, and machine learning. Put yourself in a position to navigate and administrate this technology and you will not risk losing your job to it.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in information technology?

    Computer and information systems managers earned a median salary of $159,010 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a faster than average rate of 11% between now and 2030, with 52,700 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in information technology?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in information technology?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology.

  14. 12

    Education Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 5%

    Average Annual Salary: $46,310

    The most common path to becoming a teacher, professional development trainer, or educational administrator is to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. Students in this program gain knowledge of curriculum development, student assessment, and classroom management. Education degrees may concentrate on a particular age group or topic area for a deeper understanding. The degree can be earned in four years with 120 credits and prepares candidates for the state-mandated teacher certification exams.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in education?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in education can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in education great for the future?

    The demand for teachers at every level remains high. While the education profession is rife with challenges, being replaced by a robot is not one of them.The nuance of classroom instruction, the political complexity of educational administration, and the compassion required to work with children are all uniquely human professional functions.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in education?

    Those working in education, training and library occupations earned a median salary of $57,220 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 10% between now and 2030, with 920,500 jobs added across all levels of learning.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in education?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in education?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Education

  15. 13

    Marketing and Advertising Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 6%

    Average Annual Salary: $127,830

    A bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising equips students for careers in sales, product development, retail management, promotions, and related fields. The program covers subjects like consumer behavior, business ethics, advertising, and market research. Additionally, students can select concentrations, such as social media marketing or business analytics.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising great for the future?

    Career opportunities in this field are often lucrative. Moreover, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in marketing are typically prepared for a wide range of advanced roles in market research, sales management, and public relations.

    Marketing and advertising, despite increasing reliance on machine learning for data analysis, retain a crucial psychological aspect. Human professionals will always be required to interpret marketing data and make meaningful decisions accordingly.

    What is the current job market like for the bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising?

    Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers earned a median salary of $133,380 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 10% between now and 2030, with 31,800 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising.

  16. 14

    Business Administration Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 5%

    Average Annual Salary: $103,330

    A bachelor’s degree in business administration incorporates introductory business theory, practical business skills, and hands-on experience to produce future business leaders and owners. Core topics in a business degree include accounting, marketing, leadership practices, and business laws and ethics.

    You may also be able to choose a concentration from areas such as digital media management, human resources, or supply chain management to complete 120 credit hours.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in business administration?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in business administration can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in business administration great for the future?

    Graduates can go on to pursue jobs in an unlimited variety of fields and positions, including roles in healthcare, human resources, sports management, nonprofit agencies, sales, transportation, and finance. The bachelor’s degree in business is the single most popular undergraduate degree for a reason—it’s sheer versatility.

    The bachelor’s degree in business administration is essentially whatever you want it to be. This flexibility will be exceedingly valuable in our rapidly changing employment landscape.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in business administration?

    Administrative service managers earned a median salary of $99,290 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 9% between now and 2030, with 28,600 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in business administration?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in business administration?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration.

  17. 15

    Organizational Leadership

    10 Year Growth Rate: 6%

    Average Annual Salary: $120,000

    The 120-credit hour bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership provides both theoretical and practical knowledge in business leadership. It focuses on topics like project management, organizational behavior, social conflict and negotiation, and human resource management.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership great for the future?

    Organizational leadership can prepare you to serve in a managerial or executive capacity in an extremely wide range of industries. Graduates with a degree in this specific subdiscipline can work in a variety of upper-level positions. Functioning in a leadership capacity may mean greater job security even in the event that new technology forces labor changes in your organization.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership?

    Those in management occupations earned a median salary of $102,450 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 9% between now and 2030, with 906,800 jobs added across all sectors.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership.

  19. 16

    Law and Legal Studies Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 9%

    Average Annual Salary: $95,170

    A bachelor’s degree in law is a 120-credit hour program that teaches practical skills like negotiation, problem-solving, and public speaking, preparing graduates for success in a variety of careers. Students will study legal writing, ethics, and legal theory as well as current issues in law and the ins and outs of litigation. Programs may also allow students to choose a concentration, like business or environmental law.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in law great for the future?

    The bachelor’s degree in law can open countless different career pathways, such as law enforcement, public advocacy, and more. Students can also become lawyers or judges by pursuing a Juris Doctor in a reputable graduate school.

    Each of these careers is a distinctly human job. Indeed, even in areas of the law where machine learning and automation are growing in usage—such as in surveillance—human operators remain essential to the fair and equitable leveraging of technology.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in law?

    Legal professionals earned a median salary of $82,430 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 9% between now and 2030, with 116,600 jobs added across all legal occupations.

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies.

  20. 17

    Data Science and Analytics Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 9%

    Average Annual Salary: $96,710

    A bachelor’s degree in data science and analytics explores predictive analytics, optimization for linear programming, and forecasting analytics. This 120-credit hour degree teaches students how to apply their knowledge in quantitative modeling and data analysis to solve problems and make predictions. It will prepare graduates for an extremely wide range of technical and research professions. 

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in data science and analytics?

    College majors in data science and analytics can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in data science and analytics great for the future?

    As industries depend increasingly on data, experts who can use “big data” are in high demand. A data science bachelor’s degree can lead to lucrative careers in various industries, including business, healthcare, and social media. People skilled in data analysis can contribute to the rise of automation rather than succumb to it.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in data science and analytics?

    Database administrators and architects earned a median salary of $98,860 in 2020. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 8% between now and 2030, with 13,200 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in data science and analytics?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in data science and analytics?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Data Science and Analytics.

  21. 18

    Homeland Security Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 8%

    Average Annual Salary: $45,450

    A bachelor’s degree in homeland security is an ideal degree for those with an interest in defending public safety and securing America against both internal and external threats. Students will gain skills in risk management, ethical decision-making, and communication that they can apply in real-world situations. You can earn this four-year, 120-credit degree either online or in-person.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in homeland security?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in homeland security can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in homeland security great for the future?

    Homeland security offers a stable and future-proof career choice, with challenging tasks for AI to replace. A bachelor’s degree in homeland security combines computer technology and human expertise, aligning with the diverse needs of security, defense, and emergency management. The Department of Homeland Security encompasses various government agencies, offering numerous opportunities for specialized roles.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in homeland security?

    Protective Services professionals earned a median salary of $46,590 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 8% between now and 2030, with 286,400 jobs added across several law enforcement, correction, and emergency services occupations.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in homeland security?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in homeland security?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security.

  22. 19

    Psychology Degree

    10 Year Growth Rate: 6%

    Average Annual Salary: $85,330

    The 120-credit hour bachelor’s degree in psychology studies human behavior, mental health disorders, clinical psychology, and more. Students explore subjects like family counseling, theories in abnormal psychology, therapeutic interventions, and more.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in psychology great for the future?

    The bachelor’s degree in psychology is a great degree for the future because graduates with a bachelor’s in psychology can seek a variety of professions, including occupational analyst, personnel recruiter, caseworker, child welfare/placement caseworker, psychiatric attendant, and psychosocial rehabilitation specialist. This versatility makes the bachelor’s in psychology an extremely popular degree.

    If you wish to work as a psychologist or in a clinical capacity, you will need to earn an advanced degree. Wherever you decide to apply your bachelor’s degree in psychology, you will gain a foothold in a profession that can only be performed by humans.

    What is the current job market like for a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

    Psychologists earned a median salary of $81,040 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 8% between now and 2030, with 13,500 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in psychology?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology.

  23. 20

    Electrical and Computer Engineering

    10 Year Growth Rate: 5%

    Average Annual Salary: $103,320

    Bachelors in electrical and computer engineering majors learn the practices, principles, and theories that make up electrical engineering and how those elements can be applied to computer systems. It also places a heavy emphasis on mathematics and design principles, challenging students to investigate the relationship between computer hardware and software.

    What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering?

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering can get jobs as:

    Why is a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering great for the future?

    The bachelor’s in electrical and computer engineering degree has countless engineering sub disciplines, which allow graduates to pursue various high-earning careers. Graduates can apply into many different engineering sectors including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and more. This gives you the flexibility to parlay your degree into several high-growth job positions and apply your skills to the administration, operation, maintenance, or even construction of automated technology.

    What is the current job market like for the bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering?

    Electrical engineers earned a median salary of $101,780 in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 7% between now and 2030, with 20,400 jobs added.

    What are the best websites for students getting a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering?

    These sites will help you start your degree:

    Where can I find the best bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering?

    Start your search with a look at the Best Online Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

If you know what subject you want to study, but you are not sure where to get your degree, be sure to check out the Custom College Rankings tool, where you can create your own school rankings based on the factors that matter most to you including discipline, location, cost, and more.

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