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Best-Paying Bachelor’s Degrees: Top Degrees for Top Pay

Bachelor's Degree Careers

When did you last hear somebody tell you to “study what you love?”

When it comes to choosing your college major, it seems everyone has an opinion. Honestly? The only one that matters is yours.

But just in case you need to defend yourself, here’s some scientific evidence that backs up the claim that you should love your career and, by extension, your college major.

According to multiple research studies, including this one published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), being passionate about what you do is key to finding career fulfillment and maintaining career commitment.

So, go on. Study what you want. What matters most is that you’re passionate about the subject–and that you finish your bachelor’s degree.

Jobs After College: Does It Really Matter What Your Degree Is In?

According to labor market analytics firm Lightcast, there were 34.62 million job opportunities in 2022 for those with an undergraduate degree.

Here are some of the top career titles and the number of available jobs in 2022 for people who’ve earned a bachelor’s degree:

As you can see, there are plenty of openings for these occupations, which are as varied as the degrees required to qualify for them. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), education like a bachelor’s degree pays.

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The BLS reports that in 2022, high school graduates made an average annual salary of $44,364. Those with a bachelor’s degree? They earned $74,464–50.66% more than those with only a high school diploma.

Bottom line? Study what you want and finish your bachelor’s degree–especially if you’re looking for more career opportunities and better pay.

5 Fast-Growing Occupations

Here’s a list of some of the BLS’s fastest growing occupations with the highest projected growth between 2021 and 2031:

Data Scientist
- Growth Rate: 36%
- B.S. in Computer Science or B.S. Analytics-Applied Data Science
Information Security Analyst
- Growth Rate: 35%
- B.S. in Cybersecurity
Web Developer
- Growth Rate: 30%
- B.S. in Interactive Media Design
Medical and Health Service Manager
- Growth Rate: 28%
- B.S. in Healthcare Management
Software Developer
- Growth Rate: 25%
- B.S. in Computer Science

It’s hard not to notice that many of these occupations are in the technology industry or healthcare field. That’s because these two fields are undergoing explosive growth–with no signs of slowing down.

But that doesn’t mean you have to major in a field you don’t love. Keep reading for other career opportunities that are available for those with a bachelor’s degree.

5 High-Paying Occupations

Here’s a list of some the BLS’s highest-paying occupations based on 2021 median annual pay:

Computer and Information Systems Manager
- Median Annual Salary: $159,010
- B.S. Information Systems
Marketing Manager
- Median Annual Salary: $133,380
- B.S. Marketing
Financial Manager
- Median Annual Salary: $131,710
- B.S. Business Administration
Purchasing Manager
- Median Annual Salary: $75,410
- B.S. Operations & Supply Chain Management
Human Resources Manager
- Median Annual Salary: $126,230
- B.S. Human Resources Management

Which Bachelor’s Degree Is Best?

To really be in demand and improve your chances of earning the big bucks, choose a quality university with a relevant curriculum.

Also, be sure to pick a bachelor’s degree program that aligns with your career goals and helps qualify you for a fast-growing or high-paying occupation.

Finally, if you want to know if the degree program you’re interested in has a good future ahead of it, check out the BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. This is a great resource for researching the long-term value associated with different degree programs and their related occupations.