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It can be difficult to know what college major will lead to a successful career in today's dynamic job market. Having said that, a number of industries are expected to experience substantial expansion in the years ahead.

Think about one of the most popular majors if you're a college student trying to decide what to study or an adult wishing to switch careers. Not only are these industries expanding, but they also provide interesting, rewarding work.

Here we'll go over the top 10 popular degrees, explain why they're so popular, and address some common questions.

Learn more: Top 10 Most Promising College Majors for the Future (Salary, Job Market)

How about we begin?

1. Nursing

10 Best Degrees That Are In High Demand in the US 2025
Nurses care for ill or injured patients and guide them through the recovery process

In 2025, the most in-demand degree will be a nursing degree. Learning patient care in a variety of settings is an essential part of becoming an RN. A bachelor's degree in nursing and passing scores on licensing exams are prerequisites for becoming an RN.

Approximately 193,100 new nursing positions will become available over the next decade, as the field is anticipated to experience a 6% growth. Those planning to enter the nursing profession in the near future can expect to earn a median salary of about $70,745 per year in 2024.

Nursing is one of the most sought-after majors in universities across the nation due to the high demand for graduates and the abundance of employment opportunities in the field.

Careers for nursing majors:

Legal nurse consultant

ER nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Neonatal nurse

Best Universities for Nursing:

University of Pennsylvania

Johns Hopkins University

Duke University

Emory University

University of Rochester

Learn more: 11 Best U.S Hospitals With The Most Friendly Nurses

2. Computer Science

10 Best Degrees That Are In High Demand in the US 2025
Department of Computer Science at Princeton University. Princeton

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that jobs in computer science will grow a lot over the next few years. Software developers, for instance, will see their jobs grow by 27% between 2023 and 2033, which is a lot faster than the average for all jobs.

A degree in computer science can also help you get well-paying jobs in fields like technology, finance, and healthcare.

The reasons for this growth are a lot more people wanting to buy computer software, new apps for smartphones and tablets, and ways to make health and medical insurance easier to use.

Job Titles:

Software developer

Database administrator

Computer engineer

Web developer

Information security analyst

Best Universities for Computer Science:

Carnegie Mellon University

Georgia Institute of Technology

University of California, Berkeley

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Top 15 Most Prestigious Schools for Computer Science in the U.S (Update 2024) Top 15 Most Prestigious Schools for Computer Science in the U.S (Update 2024)

3. Engineering

10 Best Degrees That Are In High Demand in the US 2025
Engineering is a field that is in high demand

Engineering is a field that is in high demand and has some of the best job prospects.

From 2022 to 2032, jobs in architecture and engineering are expected to grow faster than jobs in any other field. There will be an average of 188,000 job openings in these fields every year. Keep in mind, though, that the growth forecast for each specialty is different.

With an average salary of $87,531, engineers also make a lot of money. Again, depending on the specialization you pick, you could make more than $100,000 a year. This is why engineering is a good degree to have.

A lot of different jobs are available for engineers because their skills are in high demand. Aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental engineering, and computer hardware engineering are some of the most sought-after jobs.

Best Universites for Engineering

MIT

Stanford

University of California, Berkeley

California Institute of Technology

Carnegie Mellon University

Best Careers for Engineering

Biomedical Engineer

Civil Engineers

Electrical Engineers

Environmental Engineer

Software Engineer

Top 10+ Most Prestigious Schools for Mechatronics Engineering in US Today Top 10+ Most Prestigious Schools for Mechatronics Engineering in US Today

4. Culinary Arts

Job growth for people who work in the culinary arts, like chefs and head cooks, may be 15% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than average.

Culinary artists are people who work in the food and drink industry and know how to cook and bake. Along with learning how to cook, they learn useful skills like how to make decisions, manage, and organize things at school. People who work as chefs are usually found in the kitchens of restaurants, bars, hotels, and fast food chains.

Best Careers for Culinary Arts:

Restaurant manager

Executive chef

Prep cook

Line cook

Sous chef

5. Hospitality

Because of how popular travel and tourism are, hospitality is a degree that people want to get. Hospitality, also known as hotel and restaurant management, is a very popular field where students can learn how to keep a business running smoothly and making money.

The BLS predicts that jobs for lodging managers will grow by 10%, so there are lots of chances for you to start a successful career in this fast-paced field.

A lot of people work in the hospitality industry in the US. The average salary is $57,716. If you want to make good money right after college, hospitality is a great major to pick.

Best Universities for Hospitality

Cornell University

Michigan State University

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Virginia Polytechnic and State University

University of Houston

Best Careers for Hospitality

Hotel Manager

Food Service Manager

Casino Director

Sales Manager

Executive Chef

6. Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematicians and statisticians look at numbers and figure out what they mean. They work in research labs and universities, as well as in a wide range of fields, from astronomy to academia.

The BLS says that between 2023 and 2033, the number of jobs for mathematicians and statisticians will grow by 11%. There will be about 3,900 new jobs for mathematicians and statisticians every year for the next ten years, so it might be a good idea to consider math as a major.

Best Universities for Mathematics:

Stanford University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Princeton University

Harvard University

University of California Berkeley

Best Careers for Mathematics and Statistics:

Actuary

Astrophysicist

Statistician

Meteorologist

Mathematics teacher

Purchasing agent

Accountant

Budget analyst

7. Healthcare Administration

This major can provide you with the knowledge and abilities needed to effectively manage healthcare facilities, as well as an understanding of the healthcare system.

To work as a medical or health services manager, you normally need a bachelor's degree, though there may be other requirements. Additionally, prospective managers usually need to have previous experience working in a hospital or other healthcare facility in an administrative or clinical capacity.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 29% growth in medical and health services management jobs between 2023 and 2033. These professionals made a median of $110,680 per year in 2023.

Projected growth: 28.5%

New jobs: 160,600

Median annual wage: $110,680

Learn more: Top 10 Most Stressful College Majors

Top 20 Best Healthcare Administration Jobs For Recent Graduates With No Experience Top 20 Best Healthcare Administration Jobs For Recent Graduates With No Experience

8. Business Management

Business-related occupations are expected to grow significantly, with an average of up to 963,500 new positions expected to be created annually, according to the BLS.

The high salary rates associated with this degree are another factor contributing to its high demand. In 2024, the median annual salary for business management will be $87,366. A high salary immediately following graduation has been shown to increase interest in certain subjects, and as a result, there is a demand for business management degrees.

Facilities manager, marketing manager, and office manager are a few professions that can be pursued after earning a degree in business management.

Best Universities for Business Management

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

University of Pennsylvania

University of California, Berkeley

University of Texas at Austin

Indiana University--Bloomington

Best Careers for Business Management

Community Manager

Client Services Manager

Office Manager

Marketing Manager

Logistics Manager

Top 15+ Best Online Schools For Small Business Management In The US Today Top 15+ Best Online Schools For Small Business Management In The US Today

9. Education

10 Best Degrees That Are In High Demand in the US 2025
Due to the increased demand for teachers, education degrees are in high demand

Due to the increased demand for teachers, education degrees are in high demand. Students study classroom management and children's developmental goals as part of their teacher preparation program.

You can choose the age group that you feel most comfortable teaching and learn how to create lessons that are appropriate for that group of students when you pursue an education degree.

Over the course of ten years, it is estimated that there will be 67,100 projected annual job openings for high school teachers. With the median average salary for elementary teachers being $65,123 and for university professors being $101,060, teachers are paid well.

It should come as no surprise that degrees in education are in high demand given their favorable employment prospects and pay.

Best Universities for Education

University of California, Berkeley

Stanford University

Harvard University

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

University of California, Los Angeles

Best Careers for Education

Sports Coach

Health Educator

Teacher Assistant

Preschool Teacher

Elementary School Teacher

Learn more: 34 Best Private Scholarships for Teachers And Educators

10. Finance

In 2024, people will also want to have a degree in finance. Finance students will learn how to help a business with its day-to-day finances by doing things like budgeting and accounting. People with a degree in finance can work as a financial advisor, an accountant, or a financial analyst, among other jobs.

People who want to get a degree in finance will have to pick a field to study in and may need to register. To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), for example, you need to get a Bachelor's degree in accounting and then pass a licensing exam.

This sector has steady job growth, and it's expected to reach 8% growth over the next ten years, adding about 911,400 new jobs. Because there are so many jobs, finance is one of the degrees that people want in 2024. The average salary for people in this field is between $69,590 and $129,580, but it's important to note that this is a very broad category.

Best Universities for Finance:

University of Pennsylvania

New York University

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

University of Texas at Austin

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Best Careers for Finance:

Portfolio Manager

Corporate Finance Manager

Investment Banker

Trader

Economic Analyst

In Conclusion

The college major you choose can facilitate a rewarding and lucrative career. Your major frequently serves as a foundational element for numerous careers, as it demonstrates your competencies, training, and capacity to effectively execute a role.

Understanding the most sought-after majors can facilitate informed decision-making for your college career, ultimately enhancing your prospects for professional success.

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