10 Best Degrees That Are In High Demand in the US 2025
| Table of Contents |
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
 |
| 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
 |
| 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) |
3. Engineering
 |
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
9. Education
 |
| 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.
 What Are The Hardest College Majors to Challenge Yourself - Top 10+ Which college majors require the most effort? By average GPA and number of hours spent on homework, we ranked the ten plus hardest majors. |
 Top 20+ Most Useless University Degrees With Uncertain Future If you’re graduating from high school this year and planning to attend college, there are many degrees for you to choose from. However not all ... |
 Top 10 Hottest College Majors in the US Based on Salary, Unemployment Rate Based on employment and salary data, recent surveys and studies have identified the top ten most popular majors among US college students. |
