If you are going to spend the time, effort, and money into earning a college degree, it would be fantastic to be able to peek into the future to ensure that you are picking the right major for your career goals. In spite of the fact that nothing can be said with absolute certainty about the future, there are certain degrees that seem to be quite future-proof. These college majors are in sectors that are expanding and are anticipated to have ongoing development in the future. They are among the finest college majors for the future.
There are several degrees that have traditionally been reliable options for students, such as the many subfields of engineering. Some of them, like the degrees in Internet of Things, are entirely new and were developed because there was such a huge demand for them. All of them have a lot of potential for growth, and they are wonderful choices for students who are just starting out or who want to switch their major. Attention students majoring in hospitality: we're watching out for you.
Each of the fifty college majors that we have selected as being among the most promising for the years to come is included on this list. A good number of these degrees are quite adaptable and cover a wide range of work options across a variety of business sectors. The bulk of the degrees that we have listed on this list give skills and information that can be used to many, if not most, different industries of business. As a result, these degrees are good options for the future since they are secure. There are a few things on this list that may come as a surprise to you, despite the fact that degrees in STEM fields are represented frequently.
Education in Information Technology for the Future Workforce
1. The field of computer science
A degree in computer science teaches students how to write code in a variety of programming languages and how to design software systems, both of which are very important in today's world and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. This degree opens up a lot of doors for you since there are so many different kinds of organizations and so many different sizes of enterprises that employ software systems.
An individual who has a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science may expect an average pay of $85,354 per year. An annual pay of $83 thousand dollars is typical for a software engineer, whereas an annual salary of $69 thousand dollars is typical for a software developer, and an annual compensation of $115 thousand dollars is typical for senior software engineers. A graduate of a bachelor's degree program in computer science, on the other hand, is qualified for a broad array of employment opportunities that pay an equally large range of typical beginning salary.
2. The World Wide Web of Things (IoT)
FIU is the only institution that offers a Bachelor of Science in Internet of Things degree at this time. However, as a result of the fast advancement of technology, there is an increasing need for professional individuals in the internet of things. The term "smart" technology has become the norm, and it is anticipated that the number of Internet of Things devices will continue to explode over the next several years.
Building, programming, and maintaining devices and networks, as well as sending data over the internet, are all part of the Internet of Things (IoT) area.
Individuals who work with the Internet of Things make an annual income of $102,691 on average, according to the average wage for people who work in this field.
3. Technology for the Management of Health Information
An Associate's Degree in Health Information Technology is a degree that can be earned entirely online and typically takes around two years to finish. There has been an increase in the need for health information technologists in recent years due to the fact that patient medical data are increasingly stored in digital forms. Earning this degree will prepare you for employment in the fields of medical document coding and classification, as well as for dealing with a variety of health care payment schemes.
There is a possibility of profit sharing and incentives in addition to the annual income of $35,276 that is typical for a health information technician.
4. Information and Communication Technology
You can work as a software developer, cybersecurity expert, IT consultant or business analyst, computer network architect, computer forensic analyst, and in many other jobs where there is a growing demand for qualified workers if you have a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology (or an Associate's Degree in Information Technology).
There are potential for profit sharing, bonuses, and commissions in addition to the annual income of $88,424 that is typical for an Information Technology (IT) Manager position.
5. Big Data Systems
You will be prepared to design scalable systems by earning a Master of Computer Science with a specialization in Big Data Systems. These systems are used for making sense of and gaining insights from large and complex sets of data that have been captured, processed, and interpreted by the system itself.
A person who works in analytics for large amounts of data earns an annual income of $110,351 on average.
6. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A degree in Artificial Intelligence provides students with a well-rounded education since it requires them to complete courses in advanced mathematics, engineering, and computer science. With this bachelor's degree, you will be able to design and build machines or systems that can solve issues on their own without the need for human participation.
The average yearly pay for workers in the area of artificial intelligence is $123,571, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
7. Information Management and Administrative Systems (MIS)
There are many different paths one might take after earning a degree in Management Information Systems. This degree requires students to complete coursework in areas such as business theory, data analysis, and management, in addition to studies in computer security, networks, and databases. These classes will provide you with the foundational knowledge necessary to use your technological skills in a wide variety of contexts.
An Information Systems Manager makes an average yearly pay of $83,335, according to Payscale.com.
8. The fields of Mathematics and Computer Science
There are a wide variety of job opportunities available to those who possess a bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics. With this degree, you'll be qualified to work as an analyst, mathematical or technical teacher, systems or database administrator, computer technician, software engineer, or any one of a wide variety of other roles that are in great demand.
However, a senior software engineer, developer, or programmer can expect to make an annual income of $96,907, on average. Salaries might vary from job to job, but this figure is an industry standard.
Acquiring a degree in Engineering for the Future
9. Engineering of Electrical Devices
Students who get a degree in electrical engineering are prepared to work in the field creating and evaluating electrical systems. The curriculum for an electrical engineering degree at the bachelor's level includes classes in electrical theory, computer programming, and mechanics.
The typical income for an electrical engineer is $76,052 per year. This figure does not take into account profit-sharing, bonuses, or commissions.
10. Computer and Electronics Engineering
There are three different degrees of education offered in the field of computer engineering: a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctoral degree. This degree is a combination of computer science and electrical engineering, and it covers a wide range of topics, including both hardware and software development. Computer engineers are trained in a wide number of disciplines, and they apply their skills to the task of enhancing digital technology via the use of creativity and computer programming.
Work in the area of computer-aided engineering often results in an annual compensation of $94,218 on average for the employee.
11. Engineering of Electrical and Computer Devices
You will study software systems as well as the digital hardware systems on which they function, in addition to smart grids and the Internet of Things, while receiving a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. This degree may take you in a variety of directions, and employers are looking for more people with it as technology continues to improve and more "Smart" gadgets, homes, and cities become the standard.
Even though just a bachelor's degree is often necessary for entry-level positions, electrical engineering and computer engineering are two of the most rapidly expanding areas in the United States today!
12. The Arts and Sciences of Computer Programming
A degree in Computer Science and Engineering is quite comparable to a degree in Computer Engineering earned at the bachelor's level. Engineers who also have a solid foundation in computer science are now in great demand, and this trend is expected to continue.
The typical annual income for a position involving computer-aided engineering is $94,218.
13. Engineering of Biomedical Devices
The intersection of engineering and the living sciences is what makes up the field of biomedical engineering. Biomedical engineers are the ones who are in charge of designing artificial organs and artificial substitutes for bodily parts. In addition to this, they design the devices, construct them, install them, maintain and repair them, and use them to diagnose medical programs.
The annual compensation for biomedical engineers is typically about $67,000; however, this figure does not take into account the potential for considerable commissions, profit sharing, or bonuses.
14. Engineering of Chemical Substances
Students who major in chemical engineering combine their expertise in chemistry with that in other sciences, such as biology, physics, and mathematics, in order to innovate new methods of production for a wide variety of businesses. Graduates of chemical engineering programs get a well-rounded education, so they have various career options to choose from after graduation. Since there is a growing need for chemical engineers, earning a degree in this field is a prudent investment for the future.
The field of chemical engineering might result in a yearly income of around $74,918 on average.
15. Building and Road Construction
Civil engineers are responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads and transportation systems, public water and sewage systems, and other utility systems that keep communities operating smoothly behind the scenes. These engineers are essential to the operation of cities and towns.
The average compensation for a civil engineer is $66,733 per year.
16. Manufacturing and Production Engineering
The scope of industrial engineering extends much beyond only manufacturing plants and large gear. Industrial engineers are required in a wide variety of workplaces because the mechanics of scientific and mathematical problem-solving necessitate their expertise. Industrial engineering graduates have the ability to work in a broad number of sectors thanks to the abilities they acquire while receiving their degree in the industry.
The annual compensation for industrial engineers is typically about $67,933 on average.
17. Petroleum Engineering
Geology and engineering are both essential components of the profitable discipline of petroleum engineering. Petroleum engineers put their expertise to use by locating resources of crude oil and natural gas, extracting the fossil fuels from the ground, and refining them into products that may be put to practical use all around the globe.
In the petroleum industry, engineers get a yearly income of $101,491 on average.
18. Engineering of a Mechanical Nature
There is no other discipline of engineering that offers as much variety as mechanical engineering. There are many different kinds of mechanical engineering equipment and machinery, gadgets, and even aircraft and automobiles, and all of them need mechanical engineering in order to be designed, constructed, and maintained. This indicates that all sectors need the services of mechanical engineers in order to keep things operating well, providing graduates with a wide variety of outstanding employment possibilities and prospects.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that someone with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering can expect to make a yearly income of $71,083 on average.
19. Systems Engineering
System engineers are in charge of monitoring the performance of the whole hardware and software infrastructure of a company to ensure that all components are operating as expected. Although the creation of individual components that make up the system is not the primary emphasis of systems engineering, engineers working in this field must be knowledgeable with all of those components in order to evaluate the system's overall dependability and compatibility.
According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual compensation that is typical for a Systems Engineer is $80,261.
20. The Engineering of Electronic Devices and Communications
Students who graduate with a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering are able to design and maintain the communication technologies that are essential to the operation of any organization. If you have a solid foundation in both electronics and communications, you have a wide variety of career opportunities from which to choose. Those who have degrees in electronics and communication engineering won't have any trouble obtaining well-paying work as long as the pace of technological advancement keeps picking up speed.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the yearly income of a Senior Software Engineer/Developer/Programmer is $96,907 on average.
Degrees in Business and Finance for the Future of the Field
21. Finance
A degree in finance not only educates students about basic finance but also about private equity and venture capital strategies. The need for financial managers is high, and the available job opportunities are diverse. There is a high need for financial managers and money specialists among a wide variety of enterprises and corporations.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average yearly compensation for financial managers is $91,919.
22. Business
Earning a degree in business offers the student with a comprehensive education that covers a wide range of topics, such as economics, finance, advertising, marketing, negotiating, and fundamental company best practices. Students who graduate with a degree in business have the option of working in almost any sector of the business world or starting their own companies. Large firms often have highly competitive starting wages available for newly graduated employees.
The average yearly compensation for a manager of a business is somewhere between $39 000 and $109 000. Those with a degree in business, on the other hand, are qualified for a wide variety of different occupations, some of which may provide higher salaries.
23. Economics
Graduates who have earned a degree in economics are equipped with the knowledge necessary to evaluate the financial situations of private companies, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies. Students who major in economics get an education that teaches them how money is handled and how to ensure that a company or organization is spending and charging the appropriate amount for the goods and services it provides to its customers.
In the field of economics, graduates have the opportunity to pursue lucrative occupations such as risk analysis and consulting after they have received their degrees.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary for a job as an economic analyst is $62,740 per year, without including any bonuses or profit sharing. The typical annual income for a corporate economist is $75,863, in addition to potential chances for profit-sharing, commissions, and bonuses.
24. Communications
The realm of communications is quite broad and is an essential part of all companies and other types of organizations. Companies have a responsibility to communicate clearly with their clients and with other companies, in addition to maintaining clear lines of communication inside their own offices. Students who major in communications learn to communicate information and ideas in a clear and succinct manner by using contemporary strategies and tools, which is an asset to potential employers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual pay for a communications specialist is $52,480. This figure does not include potential for profit sharing, bonuses, or commissions.
25. Economics and Financial Matters
College students that take economics and finance courses get a grasp of international business, various economic models, marketing, and management practices. Graduates are in high demand in the banking business, as well as in the insurance industry, where they often find employment.
A degree in finance and economics may be quite profitable due to the high average yearly pay of a financial controller, which is $84,078. This compensation does not include bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing.
26. Keeping Account
Accounting expertise is necessary for the success of any company and organization. Graduates with a degree in accounting from an accredited institution or university are prepared to work in a very large number of different industries. Accountants are essential to the running of firms because they maintain financial records, handle payroll responsibilities, monitor sales and expenses, and carry out internal audits. Jobs are available for persons with degrees in accounting since accounting services are required by every kind of organization.
The typical yearly pay of an accountant is $51,410; however, this figure does not take into account potential for profit sharing, bonuses, or commissions.
27. International Commercial and Financial Transactions
Graduates with a degree from an accredited institution or university in international business and finance are well-versed in international tax laws and financial regulations, in addition to being conversant with the fundamentals of conventional business and finance. This degree will equip you for a wide variety of careers, including those in banking management, management analysis, logistics management, and business analytics management, among others.
The annual compensation of a business insight and analytics manager averages out to be $98,894 on a yearly basis.
28. Management and Administration of a Company
There is a very good reason why obtaining a degree in business administration is one of the most sought after collegiate pursuits. This degree offers a comprehensive education that focuses on business operations, marketing, sales, and marketing as well as sales and marketing. Graduates are qualified for positions in management or as consultants in almost every sector of the business world.
The annual compensation of a business consultant is typically in the range of $74,407, in addition to potential incentives such as profit sharing and hefty commissions.
29. Marketing or Advertising
Advertising expertise is another capability that is essential for the success of any firm. When it comes to ensuring the success of a new company or product, marketing and advertising are very necessary. Professionals in marketing and advertising do market research, analyze data, apply their creativity, and have strong communication skills in order to build advertising strategies that are successful and deliver results.
The yearly compensation of a marketing director is typically about $88,486 on average.
30. Distribution in the Industrial Sector
The act of selling and providing goods to manufacturers as well as other distributors is known as industrial distribution. Graduates with a degree in industrial distribution are in demand, and employers often discover that they are in short supply. Since of this, earning a degree in industrial distribution is an excellent investment for the future because it opens up a wide variety of work opportunities.
A distribution manager may expect to make an annual salary of $68,708 on average, in addition to the possibility of receiving big commissions, bonuses, and profit sharing.