Choosing the best bachelor’s degrees to get is a decision that shapes career path options, financial security, and long-term growth. Families often ask what the best bachelor’s degree to get is, and fields like computer science stand out for strong job demand and high salaries.
At CollegeCommit, we help families focus on degree paths that align with market needs and student goals. We don’t just advise – we engineer your child’s admissions edge.
Key Takeaways
- The best bachelor’s degrees offer a balance of job opportunities, pay, and long-term stability across industries like technology, healthcare, and business.
- Degrees such as computer science, nursing, engineering, and finance consistently rank high for salaries and job growth, supported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- Families should compare starting salaries, mid-career earnings, and job growth rates when reviewing degree options.
- Pathways to law or medical school require majors that build critical thinking or science skills, with flexibility in subject choice.
- Global and U.S. data show that while salaries vary by region, degrees in high-demand fields give career mobility and a strong lifetime ROI.
- The best four-year degrees give students both flexibility and long-term stability, offering strong career paths in business, technology, and healthcare.
Best Degrees for Jobs and Income
Best Bachelor’s Degrees for Job Opportunities
Computer science is one of the most reliable majors. Roles such as software developer and information security analyst continue to grow.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows strong expansion in these careers in the next decade.
Healthcare also offers strong options. Nursing is among the top professions for job growth and stability. This makes it one of the best bachelor’s degrees to get a job quickly after graduation.
Salary Overview: Top Earning Majors
Average starting and mid-career salaries:
- Computer Science: $75,000 starting – $123,000 mid-career
- Electrical Engineering: $73,000 starting – $118,000 mid-career
- Finance: $65,000 starting – $105,000 mid-career
- Nursing: $62,000 starting – $95,000 mid-career
- Data Science: $72,000 starting – $120,000 mid-career
These figures show which fields combine quick job entry with strong long-term earnings.
Career Path Examples for Top Majors
Each major can lead to several career paths.
- Computer Science: software developer, systems analyst, AI specialist
- Nursing: registered nurse, nurse practitioner, healthcare manager
- Finance: investment banker, corporate analyst, risk manager
- Data Science: data analyst, machine learning engineer, research scientist
By exploring career path options, families can see how a single degree opens up multiple doors. This flexibility is particularly important when students seek both security and variety.
Degrees That Pay Well
Engineering fields offer some of the highest salaries. Petroleum, computer, and electrical engineering graduates often start well above the average. Business majors like finance and accounting also lead to high-paying jobs in consulting or corporate roles.
Healthcare and technology majors provide a solid lifetime income. Nursing, while starting lower than engineering, grows steadily over time.
Degrees in Demand Now and in the Future
What Are the Best Bachelor’s Degrees to Get Right Now
Families often ask what the best bachelor’s degrees are to get right now. In 2025, majors like computer science, nursing, engineering, and business administration top the list. They bring strong career outcomes and stability for the future.
Emerging areas, such as data science and artificial intelligence, offer long-term options for students who want to stay ahead.
Top Degrees in Demand for the Future
Technology fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and data science are expanding rapidly.
A computer science or IT degree prepares students for leadership jobs in these areas.
Healthcare also stays in high demand, especially in nursing and health sciences. Business fields such as project management and marketing management remain crucial for companies seeking to expand.
Fastest-Growing Emerging Majors
Some new majors are growing quickly as industries change. Cybersecurity, environmental science, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are among the fastest-expanding fields.
These majors prepare students for roles that barely existed a decade ago. Families who include them in their planning give students an advantage in a shifting job market.
Majors That Make the Most Money Without Math
Not all high-paying jobs need advanced math. Degrees in criminal justice, communications, or marketing still offer strong pay.
For example, marketing majors can become marketing managers, with high mid-career salaries noted by the labor statistics BLS.
Criminal justice majors often find work in law enforcement, legal services, or government roles with steady demand.
STEM or Non-STEM: Which Pays More?
STEM majors often pay more at the start, but non-STEM majors can still deliver strong careers. Finance, business, and economics open paths to leadership with high earning potential.
Both types of degrees matter. What counts is linking a student’s interest to fields with strong demand.
Most Profitable and Stable Majors
Top 10 Bachelor’s Degrees Ranked by Profitability
- Petroleum Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Pharmacy
- Finance
- Nursing
- Information Technology
- Law
- Economics
These majors provide both high pay and stable demand.
Top 10 Most Profitable Majors Worldwide
Global surveys show overlap with U.S. rankings, but some fields stand out more internationally. These majors consistently offer high earning potential across different regions:
- Petroleum Engineering – Strong global demand, especially in energy-rich countries.
- Computer Science – Software development, AI, and IT roles dominate worldwide.
- Data Science – High-paying jobs in analytics and machine learning across industries.
- Nursing – Consistently profitable due to international healthcare needs.
- Finance – Careers in banking, investment, and corporate finance thrive globally.
- Economics – Strong demand in policy, consulting, and international organizations.
- Pharmacy – Critical healthcare roles with high salaries in developed nations.
- Law – Legal professionals earn well in many countries, especially in corporate law.
- Electrical Engineering – Key for technology, infrastructure, and energy projects.
- Business Administration – Profitable for leadership roles and global management positions.
These degrees are valuable because they align with industries that continue to expand across global markets, offering stable income and strong career growth.
Good Bachelor’s Degrees to Get for Stability
Education, nursing, and business administration remain reliable choices. These degrees lead to predictable careers, even during periods of economic change.
Career Roles Connected to Stable Majors
- Education: Teacher, school administrator
- Nursing: Registered nurse, healthcare coordinator
- Business Administration: Operations manager, project manager
Best Degrees in the U.S. vs. Worldwide
In the U.S., healthcare and technology dominate for growth. Globally, finance, engineering, and law provide strong returns.
Global Salary Comparisons
Salaries for the same degree vary worldwide. Here’s how three fields compare across regions:
| Major | U.S. (Mid-Career) | Europe | Other Regions |
| Computer Science | ~$123,000 | ~€80,000 | Lower averages in Asia & Latin America |
| Nursing | Higher in North America | Moderate in Europe | Lower in Asia |
| Finance | Six-figure salaries | Competitive in Europe | Fast growth in emerging markets |
Pathways to Law and Medical School
Best Bachelor’s Degrees to Get Into Law School
Law schools value majors that build reading, writing, and reasoning skills. Political science, history, English, and criminal justice remain strong choices.
Best Bachelor’s Degree to Get Into Medical School
Medical schools require science-based degrees. Biology, chemistry, and biochemistry are common. Psychology and public health also work if paired with the required courses.
Best Degrees for Long-Term Career Success
Great Bachelor’s Degrees for Versatility
Business administration, communications, and liberal arts allow students to move between industries. These majors provide adaptability for career shifts or graduate studies.
Best Degrees by Industry: Business, Tech, Healthcare
- Business: Finance, accounting, project management
- Technology: Computer science, data science, information technology
- Healthcare: Nursing and related fields
Visual Comparisons for Families
| Field | Example Role | Mid-Career Pay | Projected Growth |
| Business | Finance Manager | ~$105,000 | +8% |
| Technology | Information Security Analyst | ~$112,000 | +32% |
| Healthcare | Registered Nurse | ~$95,000 | +6% |
How to Choose Between Two Strong Majors
When two majors look equally good, families should compare salary ranges, job growth, and personal interest.
A student debating finance versus computer science, for example, should look at pay, demand, and the career path that excites them most. Creating a pros and cons list is a simple way to make a decision.
Useful and Flexible Degree Options
What Is the Most Useful Degree to Study?
Computer science is one of the most useful degrees for its broad reach. Nursing is another field that combines practical skills with constant demand.
Majors That Make Money and Are Fun
Marketing and communications offer creativity with strong pay potential. Psychology can be a rewarding field that leads to graduate-level opportunities.
Best Majors for Undecided Students
Undecided students benefit from broad majors like business administration, liberal arts, or communications. These allow flexibility while exploring interests.
At CollegeCommit, we guide families through this process, helping students match exploratory majors with future goals so they can pivot in the right direction with confidence.
Choosing the Right Degree
Matching Interests with Market Demand
Families should balance student interests with job market needs. Tech fields like artificial intelligence and data science are shaping future opportunities.
Balancing Salary, Passion, and Security
Some majors focus on security rather than pay. Education offers steady roles, while business administration adds flexibility across industries.
Lifetime ROI: Cost vs. Career Payoff
Families should weigh tuition against career income. Nursing has lower costs but quick returns. Engineering requires a higher investment yet offers a strong return on investment over the lifetime.
Positioning Students for Long-Term Success
Families face pressure when choosing the best bachelor’s degrees or advanced study options, but planning helps. Considering pay, demand, and student interests leads to the best degrees to have for long-term success.
CollegeCommit offers elite college admissions consulting, expert essay coaching, and top-tier tutoring and test prep.
Our advisors guide students through every step – from academic support to college strategy – with care. We help ambitious students gain admission to the Ivy League and Top 20 universities through thoughtful, personalized mentorship.
Ready to transform uncertainty into opportunity?
Schedule your free private call today with CollegeCommit.
