Online degree programs are increasingly being sought by both teens graduating high school and working adults preparing to switch careers or move up the corporate ladder.
Choosing a major in college can be a challenging phase. Deciding on one often needs inspiration and perspectives of the future.
Here are ten popular majors, in no particular order, with an idea of salary and prospects to help you get started:
Business Administration
Among the reasons Business Administration is extremely popular is its applicability in almost any industry. The course teaches students managerial, communication, decision-making, resource management, and financial analysis skills.
According to PayScale, Business Administration bachelor’s degree holders earn a median early career pay of $49,700 a year.
Engineering
A Bachelor’s in Engineering is among the most financially rewarding qualification of this decade. Early career median pay for engineers tend to range widely. According to PayScale, it is $42,100 with a Music Production & Engineering degree or $101,200 with a degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS).
The growth rate of jobs for various engineering jobs also differs drastically from 2 percent for Civil Engineers to 5 percent for Biomedical Engineers.
Computer Science
According to PayScale, the median early career pay for Computer Science graduates is a whopping $70,700 a year.
Companies seek these degree holders to fill positions as programmers, developers, designers, and product managers.
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Administrators primarily manage businesses in the medical field, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, and nursing homes. As technology improves and regulations tighten, the need for Healthcare Administration graduates also grows in tandem.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the Healthcare Administration field to grow 22 percent. The average starting salary for fresh graduates here is $39,600 per annum.
Earnings can significantly improve when a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management is obtained.
Nursing
An online degree in nursing empowers students with knowledge for caring and treating patients. The course typically covers subjects like human anatomy, psychology, chemistry, sociology, and biology. Additionally, nursing students are expected to embrace technology to administer treatment, manage data, and informatics.
PayScale reports that the median early career pay for people with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at $61,700 a year.
Psychology
Fields like Business, Marketing, Human Services, and even Justice all need psychologists.
Psychotherapy, neuroscience, interpersonal relationships, and abnormal behavior are among the major topics covered in the online college.
The early career median pay for psychologists is $42,000, according to PayScale.
Education
Many online colleges offer a degree in Education. Graduates need to earn their teaching license to practice. During online college, lessons focus on engaging, motivating, and assessing students; and overcoming classroom issues.
PayScale lists the early career median pay for a person with this degree at $41,800 per year.
Accounting
For-profit and non-profit organizations all need accountants to analyze and keep track of their finances. Knowledge acquired during an online accounting degree program includes economics, auditing, taxation, financial modeling, and business fundamentals, to name a few.
As reported by PayScale, the early career median pay for Accountants is $51,700. On the other hand, graduates in Accounting & Economics make $61,600.
An essential qualification to progress higher in an accounting career is to be professionally certified. Options include Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Human Resources
A degree in Human Resource Management not only equips a graduate with hiring and firing skills, but also to manage employee paychecks, benefits, fairness and equality.
The early career median pay in this field is $45,300 per annum.
Marketing
Globalization and social media have turned Marketing into among the most competitive majors. Marketing degrees open several areas of specialization, including retail, B2B, B2C, sports, real estate, and many others.
PayScale reports the median early career pay for graduates with a Marketing degree at $49,200 a year.
The above choices for an online college degree major are popular in line with growth prospects and future demand. Although they all seem exciting, you ought to select one that is right for you.