This college degree offers the best return on your investment

24/7 Wall St. Perspectives

• The best college degrees offer continuous salary increases.
• Of course, engineering degrees are the best ROI.
• Advanced degrees like medicine and law also offer a strong return on investment.
• Also: 2 dividend legends to be kept forever

High school seniors preparing to skip college face a major decision. Because this decision helps determine the course of their career, it’s very important to understand which college degrees offer the best return on your investment. While high-paying degrees change annually, some basic options can be considered the best ticket to a lucrative career, according to Payscale.com and Salary.com.

10. Marketing degree

Marketing opens the door to a variety of different career fields.

• Average starting salary: $64,285
• Average mid-career salary: $111,900

A marketing degree can be general, but it also allows you to wear many hats. It is a highly competitive field that includes digital marketing, social media marketing, e-commerce, etc., with far more applicants than job openings.

9. Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Choosing an accounting degree opens the door to many career paths.

• Average starting salary: $67,382
• Average mid-career salary: $108,300

With an accounting degree, you can become a CPA or tax accountant, both of which can be lucrative careers with solid returns. Even though consulting is possible with an accounting degree, consulting is much more competitive and difficult to hire.

8. Bachelor’s degree in economics

Studying economics can pay off in the long run.

• Average starting salary: $68,506
• Average mid-career salary: $134,200

Economics is a social science that combines mathematics, analysis and business strategy. A degree in economics can help you find work as a financial analyst, management consultant or even as a teacher, but it is a very competitive field with many applicants.

7. Degree in Finance

A four-year finance degree opens the door to different fields.

• Average starting salary: $69,865
• Average mid-career salary: $122,000

While Finance can encompass different degrees, a general major in Finance ensures that you will contribute to an organization and help them manage their books more effectively. A highly competitive degree, finance offers plenty of jobs and growth opportunities.

6. Actuarial science

• Average starting salary: $74,589
• Average mid-career salary: $150,000

With a degree in Actuarial Science, you will be someone in a business that helps other companies manage risk and make strategic decisions about the future. It is a competitive albeit niche degree and many candidates are going out for the same roles.

5. Aerospace engineering

An Aerospace Engineering degree can help you work for competitive companies like SpaceX.

• Average starting salary: $75,779
• Average mid-career salary: $141,800

An Aerospace Engineering degree provides students with the knowledge needed to test and manufacture various space-related aircraft and systems. You will work hard to find work in super competitive fields such as aviation, space exploration and defense industries.

4. Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering is a competitive field where many candidates are vying for roles.

• Average starting salary: $75,779
• Average mid-career salary: $192,300

Anyone with an Electrical Engineering degree has a unique understanding of how different fields work. This competitive degree is ideal for someone with strong mathematical skills as it covers aerospace, electrical, automotive, robotics and communications.

3. Chemical engineering

Choosing Chemical Engineering means long days but strong ROI.

• Average starting salary: $78,679
• Average mid-career salary: $156,100

Earning a degree in Chemical Engineering ensures that you understand safety in working environments and sustainability products and know how to research diverse fields such as biotechnology and life sciences. It is a very competitive field that still offers good employment prospects.

2. Informatics

A degree in Computer Science is almost a guarantee of a strong ROI.

• Average starting salary: $83,109
• Average mid-career salary: $154,100

Of all the college degrees available today, Computer Science offers the best return on investment. This degree has long been considered one of the highest earning, offers strong growth and is a role that companies are regularly looking to fill.

1. Petroleum engineering

Petroleum engineering is the most profitable four-year degree today.

• Average starting salary: $103,160
• Average mid-career salary: $212,100

Arguably, the four-year college degree that offers the best ROI is in Petroleum Engineering. A unique trade, this field extracts gas, oil and other natural resources from the Earth. It is one of the most competitive jobs today, but also a growing field.

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