10 Top Best College Degrees

Here we are providing you a list of 10 highest paying college degrees as ranked by College Factual. The salary data provided in the list are all averages and have come from extensive survey conducted by PayScale. We’ve just used the results from those with college degrees. The figures we’ve listed are average starting salaries.

It’s no surprise that this list seems heavily populated with degrees from the STEM degree list, mainly because they’re continuously in demand. Keep in mind that not every university will provide you with degree with same value. In fact, some graduate students end up making more in the beginning and mid-career than their peers at other US universities. Check out these rankings to see what we mean!

college degrees

10) Computer Programming- $46,500

If you love working on computers for hours and dream of developing applications, programs, and websites, computer programming is best for you. Students in this major can learn wide range of software and programming language, as well as take classes in science and math. Jobs are available to computer programmers in variety of fields, creating various types of programs for educational and research facilities, businesses, and for software development companies.

9) Mathematics & Statistics- $47,800

Statistics help you learn the systems and theory behind math in order to detect possible causes and solutions, analyze numbers, and predict trends. Statisticians are in high demand in education, healthcare and scientific research. The average starting salary for graduates is $47,800 with average mid-career salaries of $88,800.

8) Computer Information Systems (CIS)- $48,800

All those who choose majors in Computer Information Systems learn all about the computer networks, security and IT issues. In addition, they also take classes in science, math and business. A major in this field can lead to jobs in different corporate and business settings, whether it’s designing computer systems from scratch, or managing a large IT department. CIS graduates can expect salaries averaging $48,800, with mid career salaries of around $84,700.

7) Construction Management- $49,900

If you’re interested in business and management, as well as building and development you can easily combine your interests in a Construction Management degree. It’s also available as Associates in some US colleges, but jobs that require bachelor’s degree pay better. This degree is best for students who love practical hands-on tasks, and are capable of high-level thinking regarding math, management, and business. Average mid-career salary in this field is is $83,400.

6) Management Information Systems (MIS)- $50,100

MIS is essential to successful run any large business today. Students in this major will learn ways to setup, run and manage various information systems, storage and network for large companies and organizations. This bachelor’s degree trains students in both computer and business programs. The average mid-career salary for any graduate with a degree in MIS makes $85,700.

5) Physics- $50,700

A major in physics can lead to an exciting career in research or development at such places as the Department of Defense, NASA, or hundreds of private science firms. You can expect an average starting salary of $51,400 and the mid-career pay of $93,400.

4) Applied Mathematics- $51,500

A degree in Applied Mathematics will prepare you to use math in everyday situations to make estimations, calculate costs, design systems, and predict outcomes. This practical degree allows graduates to work in variety of fields, from construction and building to education, economics, finance or education. Graduates can expect starting salaries of around $51,700 and mid-career salaries in this field can be around $103,750.

3) Nursing- $53,900

Nursing is a highly promising field that’s always in demand. A student with bachelor’s in nursing can easily make an average starting salary of 54,400 and a mid-career salary of $69,200. This major is heavy on science and also involves lots of hands-on training. You can find jobs all over the country in various specializations including family health, neonatal, geriatric care, and surgery.

2) Computer Science- $54,600

Computer Science focuses mainly on the interactions between humans and computers. It’s a broad major that translates to jobs in many different fields, from software publishing to computer system development, work for government or educational or research.

1) Petroleum Engineering- $99,200

All engineering degrees in the US promise high starting salaries, but the highest of them all is Petroleum Engineering, with an average starting pay of $88,600 and mid-career salary of $169,700. This is a difficult and a fairly specialized subject, with only about 1100 students a year graduating with this degree. Graduates can find jobs with major oil production manufacturers or oil companies.

6 Different Types of Nursing Degrees

Nursing is one of the most important services in the medical field. Many physicians would not be able to do all the work for themselves hence the special role of a nurse. Notably, nursing requires a lot of professionalism depending on the nature of work to be done. There are various courses aimed at improving a nurse’s performance and below are some important options:

types of nursing degree :

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nursing (LPN OR LVN)

This degree is aimed at improving the nurses’ experience on the working field. They are basically trained in the hospital to get a License for work. It is only after a person gets their certificates and Diplomas that they are qualified to undertake this course because it is a final hurdle to be fully prepared nurse. It is also a requirement that after the LPN, a person sits for the NCLEX-PN examination.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This is a 4-year long course. Most prospective employers look out for people holding this degree. It is thus an important step for those who are keen with working in a big hospital or medical organization.

1. Becoming a BSN from LPN: within just four academic semesters, one is able to fully attain the BSN degree and become a more demanded nurse in the field of medicine. It is a course preferred by LPN nurses as a shortcut to becoming more appealing to employers.
2. 2nd Degree in BSN: this is basically for people who hold other degrees but not the BSN option. It takes a period of up to two years to qualify for this degree.
3. Accelerated BSN degree: this one will take a shorter period than the actual BSN option with a minimum of 12 months and up to 20 months.

Registered Nurse Course (RN) to Degree

Ene is offered the opportunity of getting a degree only if they are registered nurses, for this option of course. It is a highly flexible academic calendar taking into consideration the fact that most of the students are working nurses during the day or night.

Masters Degree in Nursing (MSN)

This degrees takes up to 24 months to get this credential. Most of the people who apply are holders of the first degree in nursing while others are practicing nurses on special programs.

RN to MSN – registered nurses with specific need for specialty go for this course to further their professional experience in nursing.

Post Master’s Certificate

This is an exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) covering about 30 areas of testing in the field of medicine.

PhD in Nursing

This program runs for a period of between 4 and 6 years. It covers various specific areas of specialty and ensures that the nurse in well equipped for their occupation.

Today, more nurses are coming into the industry as more hospitals and medical organizations are set up. It means that the more opportunities arise all the time however; the person with highest credentials stands a better chance of winning a job position. Look at the above options and see where you could start from on your road to success.

14 DifferentTypes of Engineering Degrees

There are numerous career options available out there that you can choose from. In most cases, the career path an individual decides to follow will be determined by their interests. For the individuals who are scientifically and mathematically minded, a career in engineering would be one the best choices. There are a number of college degrees linked to engineering and the list below will help you select your most preferred option to pursue.

Types of Engineer Degrees :

Civil Engineering

This is a form of engineering that focuses on infrastructure development and may include design, repairs as well as project management.

Aerospace

This form of engineering involves space study and the movement of objects through it as well as the related technologies. It comprises of both military and commercial aircraft designs as well as satellite technology to mention just but a few.

Bio-Medical

Bio-medical engineering involves the study of biology as well as medicine. This will involve the development of diagnostic technology that deals with imaging, prosthetic as well as medical instruments.

Bio-Mechanical

This type of engineering degree basically deals with the study of mechanics and organisms and how they both relate and come together to solve various problems.

Petroleum Engineering

This form of engineering deals with locating and best extraction techniques of gas as well as oil from underneath the earth.

Chemical Engineering

This deals with chemistry and its practical application. This might involve the development of technology or effective machinery used for problem solving by making use of chemical reactions.

Computer Engineering

The information and technology industry is fast expanding. Computer engineering deals with computer sciences as well as electrical engineering. In this field, graduates may take up different roles that may include telecommunications, manufacturing as well as the development of software.

Electrical Engineering

This degree deals with the study of energy which can either be electrical, hydro as well as natural energy sources that may include wind and solar.

Environmental

Environmental engineering deals with the study of engineering and scientific principles and coming up with various ways of improving the environment.

Marine

This degree involves the marine industry and the advancement of ocean technology which includes power generation of various marine transportation such as; boats and ships.

Mining

Mining engineering deals with the practical aspect, theory, science, technology as well as the extraction and mineral processing from their natural environment.

Mechanical

This form of engineering deals with nonliving items with moving parts. Car engines, fans as well as power tools all require the involvement of mechanical engineers in various processes including design.

Nuclear Engineering

The graduates in this field usually work either indirectly or directly within the industry that deals with nuclear power. This may include the study of nuclear fuels, cycles, progressive reactor designs as well as maintenance.

Industrial Engineering

This field of engineering deals with the total improvement of intricate procedures or systems.

With all the mentioned types of engineering degrees, it is important for you to familiarize yourself with the different degrees before choosing your area of interest as you continue to further your studies.

LAW: Types of Law Degrees

A career in law is one the noblest and most prestigious pursuits that any individual can undertake. Fundamental to the fabric of so many aspects of our society, it is no reach of credulity to state that the law, and the attorneys that practice the craft of applying and defending the law, are paramount to our order and civility.

It should be no wonder then that each year nearly 50,000 individuals graduate from one of the 202 American Bar Association approved law schools in the United States. It is certain that one of the first questions that each of these law school graduates had prior to embarking on their pursuit of a law degree was to decide what would be the best field of law to practice.

To understand this further, it is important to make a distinction between the types of law degrees that are available in the United States and the fields of concentration, commonly known as law specialties, that exist and distinguish an attorney from being a mere generalist. Many times, those just starting to consider law as a career possibility confuse these two terms. Basically, there are three types of law school degrees while there are several law specialties.

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

This is the most common law degree. It is what one first obtains upon completion of law school. In the United States, this degree is a prerequisite in order to practice law. Academically, it normally entails three years of study. In order to enroll at a law school for a J.D. program a bachelor’s degree and acceptable LSAT scores are required.

While enrolled in a J.D. program it is possible to use elective courses to focus on a specific concentration.

Master of Laws (LL. M.)

The second highest degree in the field of law is the LL.M. It normally involves one year of additional study at a law school. It is a post-graduate degree that is recognized internationally and is used to gain knowledge and expertise in a specialized field of law. In addition to a set of core courses related to the specific law specialty being pursued, collateral elective courses involving disciplines which compliment the specialty are also taken. The presentation of a thesis is also required.

Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)

The S.J.D. is a doctoral level degree and is the highest law degree available in the United States. It involves three years of research intensive study. The majority of the academic effort is centered on formulating and defending a dissertation. This advanced degree is often sought after by those seeking to venture into the academic realm of law, such as aspiring law professors.

Law Concentrations (Specialties)

Although many attorneys remain as generalists throughout their career, seeking a law specialty can greatly increase one’s level of career advancement and earning potential. The most common law concentrations which can be chosen in either J.D. or LL.M. programs at U.S. law schools are:

Criminal Law

This concentration involves that which is related to the legal action of prosecuting a crime under public law. Criminal defense, which relates directly to providing a legal defense for the accused, is often seen as an extension of this specialty.

Business Law

As the name implies, this concentration focuses on areas affecting commercial, industrial or mercantile enterprises and the law.

Constitutional Law

This body of law relates to the interpretation and subsequent application of the U.S. Constitution. It concerns itself with the safeguarding of the rights of individual citizens. By fiat, it also covers the area involving the inter-relationship between Federal and local levels of government.

Family Law

Marriages, divorces, adoptions, establishment of paternity and all other matters related to the family are covered by this specialty.

Immigration Law

This concentration focuses on matters related to law affecting the nationality, citizenship, or other migratory status of individuals.

Intellectual Property Law

This specialty focuses on matters related to the acquisition and defense of authorized use of intellectually created property. This can include trademarks, copyrights and patents.

Environmental Law

This concentration revolves around laws established for the protection of the environment. It also deals with navigating the implementation of regulatory legislation.

Maritime Law

Deals with laws affecting navigation, shipping and mineral rights located over open bodies of water.

Tax Law

Specializes in all that affects taxation. This can range from interpreting tax statutes, enforcement of regulations and estate planning.

Gaming Law

This concentration covers the field of law which relates directly to gaming and gambling laws.

Administrative Law

Focuses on the area of public law that deals with the administrative, enforcement and regulatory actions of a government agency.

4 Different Types of Top College Degrees List

The four types of college degrees include an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and finally a doctor of philosophy.

These degrees are based on various educational programs and curricula. Each type of these degrees plays its own set of critical roles in career advancement, intellectual fulfillment and personal satisfaction for different people. The degree you choose will largely be based on the type of career you wish to have, and what the requirements are for the job you want.

Here is a list of the types of degrees offered in colleges and the different college degree levels:

Types of Associate Degrees:-

A.A. (Associate of Arts) :

This degree requires students to complete a coursework of 60 hours, including courses in general education and other courses related to the degree program. A.A. degree is often awarded in liberal art areas, like English, music or history.

A.S. (Associate of Science) :

 It focuses on science and requires students to complete many hours of coursework in general education. Common A.S. programs include biology and chemistry.

A.A.S. (Associate of Applied Science) :

 It is designed to ready students to join the working world. There are several types of this degree, including programs in business or engineering.

A.E. (Associate of Engineering) :

Focuses on engineering

A.A.A. (Associate of Applied Arts) : 

Deals with applied arts

A.P.S. (Associate of Political Science) :

Mainly focuses on political science

Types of Bachelor’s Degrees :-

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) :

It is considered as the widest bachelor’s degree. The BA degree focuses on arts but also require the students to take some general education classes.

B.S. (Bachelor of Science) :

It usually covers majors such as engineering, physics, accounting or business or any of the sciences. A B.S. degree requires some general studies courses.

B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts):

 Professional actors, dancers, singers, sculptors and painters are perfect candidates for this degree. BFA degree is also offered in fields such as digital media and web design.

B.B.A. (Bachelor of Business Administration)  :

BBA degree often covers courses in management strategy, decision making and even organizational psychology. You should opt for this course if you aspire to be a general manager.

B.Arch. (Bachelor of Architecture) :

This is a degree program that future architects must complete.

Types of Master’s Degrees :-

M.A. (Master of Arts) or M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) :

 It can cover various graduate studies. These include education, communication, social sciences and music.

M.S. (Master of Science) :

 This degree could be earned in a wide range of science, health and even social science professions. Major focus is on research, though a few courses can have a combination of research-based courses and class-based courses.

M.Res. (Master of Research) :

 It’s designed to offer training on how to carry out a research. MRes may help you a lot if you intend to pursue a research career or PhD.

M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy) :

 It’s a research-only degree and is often a precursor to PhD. Most PhD students register for this degree in their initial 1-2 years of study and must produce a report after this period to change their registration status to that of a PhD student.

LL.M. (Master of Laws) :

This degree usually takes one year as a full time program or 2-4 years as a part time course. While professional Law degrees just give a general coverage of all the skills required to become an attorney, LLM would give you an opportunity to specialize.

M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) :

These degrees are often designed for management professionals with some experience. Intensive and demanding, MBA focuses on creating future successful business leaders.

Types of Doctorate Degrees:-

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) :

These are research-based doctorate degrees often awarded to recognize peer-reviewed published academic research.

M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) :

This is the most advanced degree for medical students and must be completed to professionally practice medicine. M.D. students often choose a specialty area.

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) :

 This is the highest level degree of education in the education field. People who hold this degree often work in administrative, research or academic positions related to education.

J.D. (Juris Doctor):

This degree is the most advanced one available to lawyers in the US. A thesis is typically not required in J.D. degree program.

In this stiff competition of job opportunities and the eligibility of qualifying for a given profession, these degrees do play an important role. Hopefully, the aforementioned list of degrees gave you a better understanding of the different types of degrees available. All you have to do is choose the right one for you depending on your interests, career aspirations as well as capability.