Whether you’re planning on attending college in-person, or online, you may want to consider what major to study before enrolling. While some of us have a clear objective before attending college, perhaps a passion for a certain subject, others of us often remain as undeclared majors, even deep into year two or three.
Now, being undeclared is not uncommon. In fact, according to The Crimson White, “an estimated 20%-50% of students are undeclared when entering college and 75% change their majors at least once before graduation.”[1]
But while these numbers may show that It’s not all that important to declare a major before enrolling, or even deep into your education, it actually is. Or at least, it should be.
In a moment, we’ll show you some majors to consider before you enroll, and we’ll also show you some popular majors that may not end up paying off as well as you hoped.
SchoolMatchPro.com is here to help you make the best decision on behalf of your future. Not on behalf of the college you plan to attend. Of course, any major you choose is always up to you, your passion, and your goals.
But today we want to show you some majors, whether you enroll in online college or in-person college, that could end up giving you a better paying career than some of the most popular college majors.
After studying salary numbers four years after students graduated, and compiling the data, Michael Itzkowitz, a former official in the Obama administration, said…
“We hope our data remains helpful for those considering college. It’s important that wherever students attend—and whatever field of study they choose to pursue—they leave knowing it was worth it.”[2]
So, what does his data show?
Well, it showed that some of the most popular degrees don’t lead to high paying jobs. In fact, the Washington Post found that only 3 of the top 10 most popular majors lead to careers that earned $50,000 a year or more.[3]
Those three majors that did lead to a $50k plus a year salary?
Accounting, Registered Nursing and Business Administration.
Now, according to TheHill.com, the most lucrative bachelor’s degrees are often focused in STEM programs: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Many of the bachelor’s degrees in STEM can lead to careers that pay near or over $100,000 a year.[4]
But for those of us who aren’t mathematically oriented, or really do have a passion for certain subjects like teaching or social work, the amount of money you could earn after graduating may not be so much the focus. And that’s great, finding joy in your work may matter far more to you than monetary rewards.
So what are the bachelor’s degrees that are very popular, but pay less than the ones we just showed?
Here are seven.
Theology and Religion, Family and Consumer Sciences, Social Services, Leisure and Hospitality, Performing Arts, Communications, Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and a generalized Liberal Arts degree.[5]
So, before you decide on enrolling in a college, either online or in-person, you may want to consider whether a major that leads to a high paying job, or a major that leads to a more “fulfilling’ job is best for you.
SchoolMatchPro.com can connect you directly with both online bachelor’s degree programs or in-person bachelor’s degree programs that best fit your life goals. All the decisions you make about college are unique to you, and what you pursue after you earn your degree is something only you can attest to.
But no matter if you’re looking to get an education that could lead to a high paying career, or one that you’re passionate about, School Match Pro is here to help!
[1] Opinion | Eliminate the stigma surrounding undeclared majors – The Crimson White
[3] Nearly 2 in 5 of American college graduates regret their majors – The Washington Post
[5] Top 10 Worst Paying College Majors: Making an Informed Investment in Education – Due
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