Working adults who attend college courses often choose a major with a specific career in mind. However, high school students tend to be less specific about work objectives. Many parents of college-age students worry about whether their children have chosen the "right" courses. Fortunately, each of the ten most popular majors identified by the Princeton Review offers at least one standout career with solid earning potential. An examination of the latest government salary statistics shows that most college students are on the right track.
#1: Computer Science Major to IT Professional
While ranking only ninth among the Princeton Review's ten most popular college majors, computer science students still enjoy some of the highest starting salaries among graduates of bachelor's degree programs. Specialists in network security and database administration frequently earn over $50,000 in the first year after graduation.
#2: Nursing Major to Registered Nurse
As hospitals and other health care facilities shift more daily responsibilities from doctors to nurses, graduates of BSN programs are in high demand and enjoy generous compensation packages. Upon completing licensure and certification programs, nursing majors in most parts of the country can earn first-year salaries exceeding $40,000. Nursing school graduates willing to relocate can do even better -- increasing their starting salaries by as much as 20%.
#3: Business Administration Major to Business Professional
This year's wave of job openings for business administration majors reflects the recent emphasis on accounting compliance and marketing best practices from Wall Street to Main Street. Newly-minted accounting professionals frequently earn over $45,000 in their first year. Other business school graduates can start at $38,000 or higher as managers and sales professionals. With strong figures like these it's no wonder the Princeton Review ranked business administration the most popular major for college students this year.
#4: Psychology Major to Marketing Analyst
Although college students frequently pursue psychology degrees, jobs for recent graduates in clinical settings tend to be scarce. While pursuing advanced degrees, many graduates of bachelor's degree programs in psychology have discovered jobs in the business sector. Consultants and retailers recruit psychology majors to help understand the inner workings of consumers. With starting salaries for analysts at about $34,000, few psychology majors turn up their noses at the chance to discover how shoppers make decisions.
#5: Biology Major to Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Like psychology majors, biology majors face stiff competition for traditional jobs in their profession. However, the surging drug manufacturing industry needs graduates of biology degree programs to help explain new treatments and medications to medical professionals. Therefore, biology majors with selling skills can leverage their knowledge into starting salaries of $34,000 or more.
#6: Political Science Major to Market Research Professional
Political science often reaches the list of ten most popular college majors during a hot election year. However, the number of jobs that actually involve running campaigns is very small. Fortunately, the market research industry frequently hires graduates of political science bachelor's degree programs. By conducting polls on political views and consumer opinions, poli-sci grads can land starting salaries exceeding $33,000 per year.
#7: Elementary Education Major to Grade School Teacher
As parents of school-age kids can tell you, elementary education professionals are enjoying some of the highest demand in the past few decades. School districts compete aggressively for graduates of elementary education programs by offering tuition reimbursement programs along with starting salaries of over $31,000.
#8: English Major to Marketing Professional
Liberal arts majors enjoy the broadest exposure to ideas and to critical thinking during a bachelor's degree program, even if they don't always have the clearest career paths. However, many marketing departments have discovered that liberal arts students understand very well how to build rapport and communicate effectively with customers. Therefore English majors with a little business education may start at $30,000 or more in their first year as marketing specialists.
#9: Communications Major to Public Relations Professional
Twenty years ago, most communications majors focused on learning how to make film or television. In today's YouTube society, the focus at many communications programs has shifted to emphasize the power of persuasion. Communications school graduates who apply their skills on ad campaigns and P.R. launches can enjoy starting salaries of $28,000 or more.
#10: Education Major to Teaching Assistant
With many school districts recruiting aggressively for new teachers, students seeking education degrees can gain extra benefits on their way to becoming administrators. Many schools now hire education majors as part-time teaching assistants to help in crowded classrooms. Part-time salaries often start at $16,000 and benefits can include tuition reimbursement for students who commit to teach full-time for an employer after graduation.
This article is sponsored by Lincoln College of Technology
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