Families often ask what they should go to school for when planning the next stage of education. In 2025, the answer is directly connected to career goals, long-term stability, and industries projected to experience growth.
Health care, computer science, and business continue to be fields with high demand, strong job prospects, and higher earning potential. The reason to go to school is clear: to build a career path that combines personal strengths with proven opportunities.
At CollegeCommit, we guide students and parents through this decision with structured strategies and trusted expertise. Our experienced advisors bring over 20+ years of dedicated experience in higher education, ensuring every degree program choice aligns with both admissions requirements and future career options. We don’t just advise – we engineer your child’s admissions edge.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing what to study in school should begin by matching your strengths and interests to your long-term career goals, ensuring both motivation and sustainability.
- Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights high-demand fields, such as computer science, healthcare, and business finance, as offering strong job prospects and higher earning potential.
- Families should weigh ROI by comparing tuition costs with expected salaries while also considering degree flexibility and future job market shifts.
- Self-assessment tools and reflection questions can guide decisions, but expert support ensures results align with admissions expectations and career paths.
- Admissions officers look for leadership, rigor, and a clear narrative, making it essential to connect academic choices with extracurriculars and the Common App essay.
How to Choose the Right Program
Match studies with strengths and interests
Start by reviewing natural skills and passions. Students who enjoy numbers may thrive in finance or data-driven fields, while those who excel in communication can benefit from English majors or media studies. Aligning studies with personal strengths creates motivation and sustainable engagement.
Align education with career goals
Every degree program should connect with a clear career path. Families often overlook this step, leading to mismatches between education and professional outcomes. Define long-term career goals early so each academic choice builds toward them.
Factor in job demand and salary potential
The job market changes quickly. Families should weigh career options not only against interest but also projected employment needs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fields like health care, computer science, and web development remain in high demand.
What degree is actually worth it?
A degree is worth pursuing when it balances interest, cost, and long-term return. High-demand programs such as nursing, engineering, and human resources offer higher earning potential.
Families should evaluate tuition costs against expected salaries to balance passion with practicality.
Self-assessment tools (quiz and test)
Quizzes and assessments can highlight strengths, but they should not determine the final choice alone. Families should use them as one input in a larger admissions strategy.
Quick Self-Assessment Checklist
Consider asking:
- Do you prefer working with numbers, people, or technology?
- Would you rather solve problems creatively or logically?
- Which school subjects do you enjoy most and why?
- Do you value long-term stability or flexibility in career choices?
- How important is higher earning potential compared to passion?
At CollegeCommit, we integrate these answers into structured admissions planning. This ensures results align with career goals and the expectations of higher education.
Degree Paths and Career Options
Best majors to consider today
Some programs consistently lead to strong career options:
- Business administration for management and leadership roles.
- Computer science for software development and IT analysis.
- Health care degrees for nursing and allied health professions.
- Education for teaching and academic leadership.
Business, finance, and technology fields
Business and finance remain reliable options for students seeking leadership roles. Technology fields such as cybersecurity and software engineering are expanding with strong job prospects. These degrees support problem-solving and adaptability.
Healthcare, nursing, and social sciences
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors. Nursing and related fields ensure long-term stability, while psychology and social sciences prepare students for roles in counseling and human resources.
Example in Practice
For example, a student who enjoys problem-solving and earns a degree in computer science may pursue roles in web development. These roles often come with higher earning potential and consistent job prospects. In contrast, general studies may lead to fewer opportunities with lower salaries.
What is the best trade to go to school for?
Trades are a smart choice for students seeking practical skills and fast entry into the workforce. Electricians, HVAC specialists, and diagnostic technicians are trades with steady demand and competitive salaries.
What is the #1 easiest major?
The #1 easiest major varies by student, but many consider education, communications, or general studies to be less intensive. Families should also weigh career goals, since easier majors may not always lead to higher earning potential.
Salary and Job Growth by Degree
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports salary levels and projected growth across multiple fields. These figures help families compare higher education investments with realistic outcomes.
Examples of degrees with strong ROI:
- Computer science – Median salary: $136,620; Growth: 23%
- Health care (nursing) – Median salary: $86,070; Growth: 9%
- Business finance – Median salary: $99,410; Growth: 10%
- Human resources – Median salary: $85,330; Growth: 6%
- Web developers – Median salary: $92,750; Growth: 16%
- English majors – Median salary: $70,000; Growth: 3%
High-Value Degree Choices
Things to go to school for that pay well
Students looking for higher earning potential should consider:
- Medicine and nursing.
- Computer science and engineering.
- Business finance.
What should I go to school for to work from home?
Many families want degrees that support flexible careers. Web developers, digital marketing, and information technology roles often allow remote work.
Careers with long-term growth potential
High school graduates should focus on degrees that remain relevant. Health care, technology, and business continue to offer stability and advancement potential.
Going Back to School
What should I go back to school for?
Many adults ask what they should go back to school for when considering new opportunities. Returning to school can support career changes or skill upgrades that improve competitiveness in the job market.
Programs for career advancement
A degree program in management, technology, or healthcare often provides access to leadership roles. Adults should choose programs that directly advance their career path.
Flexible study formats for professionals
Online and hybrid programs make it possible to return to school while maintaining employment. These formats allow professionals to build higher education credentials without pausing their careers.
College Choices and Admissions
What should I go to college for?
This question is central to every family’s planning. The answer should connect interests, long-term goals, and realistic job prospects.
Building a strong admissions narrative
Admissions committees want to see more than grades. A strong application integrates academics, extracurricular activities, and a vision of career goals. The Common App essay has a 650-word limit – we coach students to make every word meaningful.
What Admissions Officers Look For
Officers value specific qualities that strengthen a student’s narrative. They assess leadership roles, consistent extracurricular involvement, and rigorous course selections. Strong recommendations and polished essays remain critical parts of the Common App.
What is the #1 hardest school to get into?
Each year, the #1 hardest school to get into is typically a college with a single-digit acceptance rate, such as Harvard, Stanford, or MIT.
These institutions admit fewer than one in ten applicants, making them extremely selective. Families should remember that prestige alone does not determine outcomes – success depends on how well a student’s application reflects their strengths, leadership, and career goals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing based only on trends
Trends can change quickly. Choosing a degree based only on what is popular risks long-term disappointment.
Ignoring personal motivation
Students who ignore motivation struggle to maintain progress. A degree must connect with interests as well as career goals.
Overlooking long-term flexibility
Some degrees limit future opportunities. Families who overlook flexibility may find students locked into narrow paths. Selecting a versatile degree program ensures adaptability across multiple career options.
Mistakes Summarized for Quick Review
- Choosing a degree because it is trending rather than sustainable.
- Ignoring what motivates the student.
- Overlooking versatile degree programs that adapt to different industries.
Final Steps Before Deciding
Research schools and requirements
Families should review accreditation, program outcomes, and curriculum before selecting a college. Use credible sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics to compare job market forecasts.
Talk to advisors and professionals
Conversations with academic advisors and industry professionals provide perspective beyond rankings. At CollegeCommit, we work 100% remotely, serving families across the country and internationally.
Compare costs, value, and outcomes
A strong decision weighs tuition against a higher earning potential. We also offer grade-based yearly packages, with pricing that varies by grade and scope of support. Families can choose what fits best for their goals.
Ready to Take Action
Selecting the right degree is one of the most important steps in shaping a future career path. Families who ask What can I go to school for are seeking more than a list – they need a structured strategy. CollegeCommit helps families who want peace of mind, not just basic advice.
We don’t just advise – we engineer your child’s admissions edge. With over 20+ years of experience, our advisors support students as early as 8th grade. We provide expert guidance through Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, and Regular Decision.
Ready to transform uncertainty into opportunity? Join our upcoming cohort at CollegeCommit: Where Preparation Becomes Placement.
Schedule your free private call today to begin building your student’s personalized admissions plan.
