These are the college degrees in 2025 that will make the most money in 5 years

[Coventina]

A new study has identified the college degrees that will make the most money after five years in the workforce, with the best-paying jobs in engineering, computer science, and health industries.

Going to college in the U.S. has a hefty price tag, with the average cost coming in at $38,270 per year.

Analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted by Student Choice has calculated the “Return on Investment” on degrees after five years in work after graduating to guide prospective students when making the tough choice of what to study.

The organization multiplied the average cost of college by four to get $153,080. It compared the figure against the median wage earned in each job after five years and multiplied it by 100 to calculate the return on investment percentage.

When ranking the most popular college degrees in 2024 by return on investment, majoring in engineering came out on top, with a return of 326.6 percent, according to the analysis.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/college-degrees-salary-jobs-highest-paying-b2777721.html

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The other four, in order of ROI:

Computer science / IT
Nursing
Accounting
Biochemistry

No wonder I feel like a dead clade walking....

[Silent Type]

1. Wonder how that will change with AI?

[Sympthsical]

3. I have a buddy in graphic design

Who has been asking me questions about what going back to school as an adult was like.

He does not foresee any kind of job security for himself in the next 5 years.

[Sympthsical]

2. So happy with my choices

Went back to school in my 40s for a career change to nursing. I already did the student debt nonsense the first go round, so I’ve done my prerequisites and RN at the comm. college down the street. BSN will be at some pointless online school. (Less than $10k).

Because no one really cares about where you do those. It’s when you go for your MSN that the institution counts.

And UCSF hurts my soul. Probably $30-40k for my master’s.

But that is ok, because my current job (behavioral health) wants me to stay with them with my RN, which will pay six figures.

Say what one will about California, but the state pays its nurses. CNAs less so.

[fujiyamasan]

4. I can't think of a better field to get into if you can handle it

It’s a tough field both physically and mentally. I’ve admired how most nurses are so patient and caring. In today’s world such traits feel rare.

Good luck with your degree!

[Sympthsical]

8. Thank you!

I worked in social services for years, mainly in aging services and neurological disorders. These days, I work with kids with autism. So it’s more of a hop over instead of a radical change.

There’s always a shortage, so figured might as well be useful, lol.

[jmowreader]

5. Of the five, the biological ones are the only ones I'd recommend

H1B killed off the Engineering and IT fields, and accounting will probably be all AI by then.

And if you're going into biochemistry you really need a Ph.D. in it.

[Dan]

6. The only way I would consider Computer Science/IT would be in the field

Of computer security, forensics and Servers/Networking.

[valleyrogue]

7. None of them have any appeal to me.

The key is to find work you love to do regardless of the pay. Pay doesn't necessarily equal quality.

Another thing is NEVER, ever make your job your hobby. Have interests.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. Says a private student loan corporation

[WarGamer]

10. Coming from BioPharma...

The field is paying top dollar to people with nice resumes.

Get multiple degrees in fields like Law and Biotechnology.

An IP Lawyer with a MS in Biotechnology can make S600k/year

Or biomechanics and electrical engineering! Stuff like that.

[LogDog75]

11. I'd agree with nursing and biochemistry

As the Boomer generation retires, the increase in the number of Boom patients will continue to grow for the next 20 years necessitating the need for medical personnel, namely nurses, to take care of them. Many medical career fields will pay more money.

Biochemistry career fields cover a large area not only in research but in pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, laboratory technicians, etc..

I think the career fields that will pay very well in the future are more in the trades like plumbing, construction, auto mechanics, etc. where no degree or a two-year degree is all that's needed. It means less student debt enabling people to afford to live where they can better afford to live.

[Celerity]

12. Creative field ROI

Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager ROI – 511.4%
Public Relations and Fundraising Manager ROI – 426.2%
Art Director ROI – 347.9%
Graphic Designer ROI – 192.4%
Archivist, Curator, and Museum Worker ROI – 186.6%