The 15 majors that college students are flocking to
A college degree can be highly valuable and necessary for landing a top-notch job.
Candidates with college degrees generally have a higher chance of getting a job with more benefits and exposure than candidates without a college degree. However, not all majors contribute to fulfilling careers with steady employment rates and higher incomes. Employees who graduated with STEM degrees tend to earn higher salaries and benefit from lower unemployment rates, and many have secured jobs without advanced degrees, according to a new report by Bankrate.
According to a recent report from Payscale, college graduates earn about 37% more than those who only have a high school diploma or GED. The analysis found that the median pay for workers in the U.S. with a high school diploma is about $49,400, meanwhile, workers with a bachelor’s degree earn about $78,400 on average.
Continue reading to see which majors are the most popular, from Bankrate.
1. Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is the most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering have a median annual salary of $115,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.9% and about 47.6% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
2. Computer engineering
Computer engineering is the second most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering have a median annual salary of $112,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 2.1% and about 38.8% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
3. Petroleum engineering
Petroleum engineering is the third most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering have a median annual salary of $100,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 0.9% and about 39.2% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
4. Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the fourth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering have a median annual salary of $105,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.9% and about 48.9% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
5. Materials science
Materials science is the fifth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in materials science have a median annual salary of $105,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.1% and about 63.7% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
6. Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is the sixth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering have a median annual salary of $100,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.9% and about 38.9% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
7. Electrical engineering technology
Electrical engineering technology is the seventh most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology have a median annual salary of $100,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 2.3% and about 31.7% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
8. Engineering mathematics, physics, and science
Engineering mathematics, physics, and science is the eighth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering mathematics, physics, and science have a median annual salary of $100,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.5% and about 59.1% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
9. Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the ninth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering have a median annual salary of $100,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 2.1% and about 46.7% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
10. Actuarial science
Actuarial science is the tenth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science have a median annual salary of $95,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.9% and about 20% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
11. Pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and administration
Pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and administration is the eleventh most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and administration have a median annual salary of $100,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.8% and about 62.2% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
12. Computer science
Computer science is the twelfth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science have a median annual salary of $100,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 2.9% and about 31.5% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
13. Industrial and manufacturing engineering
Industrial and manufacturing engineering is the thirteenth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and manufacturing engineering have a median annual salary of $95,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.8% and about 41.3% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
14. Transportation sciences and technologies
Transportation sciences and technologies is the fourteenth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in transportation sciences and technologies have a median annual salary of $90,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 1.6% and about 22.2% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
15. Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is the fifteenth most popular college major. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics science have a median annual salary of $100,000. The unemployment rate for those who work in this field is 3% and about 52.8% of graduates hold an advanced degree.
