Most Rewarding Degrees
#1 - Health Care Administration Degree
The potential for excellent job satisfaction, high pay, and competitive benefits packages make health care administration our Most Rewarding Degree. But career stability is what sets it apart from the competition.
According to a 2008 NCES study that analyzed employment experiences of bachelor's degree recipients ten years after graduation, health care topped all other degrees in job security.
Health care degrees also topped the list of degrees most likely to get you hired, according to a 2010 survey of HR professionals by corporate consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Did You Know? Health care boasts 10 of the twenty fastest growing careers in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Many skilled health care administrators are needed to help ensure smooth business operations during the industry's rapid expansion.
Average Salary for Health Care Administration Majors: $60,800
Related Career and Salary:
The potential for excellent job satisfaction, high pay, and competitive benefits packages make health care administration our Most Rewarding Degree. But career stability is what sets it apart from the competition.
According to a 2008 NCES study that analyzed employment experiences of bachelor's degree recipients ten years after graduation, health care topped all other degrees in job security.
Health care degrees also topped the list of degrees most likely to get you hired, according to a 2010 survey of HR professionals by corporate consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Did You Know? Health care boasts 10 of the twenty fastest growing careers in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Many skilled health care administrators are needed to help ensure smooth business operations during the industry's rapid expansion.
Average Salary for Health Care Administration Majors: $60,800
Related Career and Salary:
Medical and health services managers: $80,240
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#2 - International Business Degree
In today's global economy, it's hard to imagine a more relevant degree than international business…which is why we gave it the #2 spot on our Most Rewarding Degrees list.
According to a 2010 PayScale report, international business beat out the always popular business and health care degrees in a list of the most satisfying college majors.
Job security is another valuable perk, as international business graduates are more likely than others to thrive at a time when companies have complex business relationships that cross borders.
Did You Know? When college graduates were asked how satisfied they were with their salary, business degrees led all others in a study from the University of Iowa's Educational Policy and Leadership Studies department. The 2005 study analyzed the link between job satisfaction and college majors over 25 years across 30 public and private institutions.
Average Salary for International Business Majors: $73,700
Related Careers and Salaries:
In today's global economy, it's hard to imagine a more relevant degree than international business…which is why we gave it the #2 spot on our Most Rewarding Degrees list.
According to a 2010 PayScale report, international business beat out the always popular business and health care degrees in a list of the most satisfying college majors.
Job security is another valuable perk, as international business graduates are more likely than others to thrive at a time when companies have complex business relationships that cross borders.
Did You Know? When college graduates were asked how satisfied they were with their salary, business degrees led all others in a study from the University of Iowa's Educational Policy and Leadership Studies department. The 2005 study analyzed the link between job satisfaction and college majors over 25 years across 30 public and private institutions.
Average Salary for International Business Majors: $73,700
Related Careers and Salaries:
Operations research analysts: $69,000
Management analysts: $73,570
Industrial production managers: $83,290
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#3 - Accounting Degree
Researchers in various studies have concluded that pursuing a career that is linked to your college major has a big effect on satisfaction levels after graduation.
Studying accounting in college provides a direct pipeline to a career in accounting or finance - two growing professions with upward mobility and good salary prospects.
Generally speaking, people enjoy doing what they do well. If you have a head for numbers, an accounting degree can likely lead to great personal and professional satisfaction.
Did You Know? In PayScale's 2010 college major satisfaction survey, accounting trailed only chemical engineering and management information systems. The PayScale study was done in conjunction with a Wall Street Journal project, which looked at careers with high salaries and growth potential.
Average Salary for Accounting Majors: $77,500
Related Careers and Salaries:
Researchers in various studies have concluded that pursuing a career that is linked to your college major has a big effect on satisfaction levels after graduation.
Studying accounting in college provides a direct pipeline to a career in accounting or finance - two growing professions with upward mobility and good salary prospects.
Generally speaking, people enjoy doing what they do well. If you have a head for numbers, an accounting degree can likely lead to great personal and professional satisfaction.
Did You Know? In PayScale's 2010 college major satisfaction survey, accounting trailed only chemical engineering and management information systems. The PayScale study was done in conjunction with a Wall Street Journal project, which looked at careers with high salaries and growth potential.
Average Salary for Accounting Majors: $77,500
Related Careers and Salaries:
Auditors: $59,430
Financial analysts: $73,150
Financial managers: $99,330
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#4 - Information Systems Degree
Information technology, also known as IT, is big but information systems, or IS, is getting even bigger. Information systems helps bridge the gap between the business and computer worlds. In fact, some of today's most successful companies are built upon this very foundation.
Garett Rogers and Christopher Dawson, who both have information systems degrees, run a popular blog called "Googling Google" on ZDNet in which they write about their passion for the internet. If you share their passion for computers, information systems could be a perfect match for your college major.
Did You Know? The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts "excellent" job prospects through 2018 for information system workers and managers, since new technology is driving a need for new hires.
Average Salary for Information Systems Majors: $87,100
Related Careers and Salaries:
Information technology, also known as IT, is big but information systems, or IS, is getting even bigger. Information systems helps bridge the gap between the business and computer worlds. In fact, some of today's most successful companies are built upon this very foundation.
Garett Rogers and Christopher Dawson, who both have information systems degrees, run a popular blog called "Googling Google" on ZDNet in which they write about their passion for the internet. If you share their passion for computers, information systems could be a perfect match for your college major.
Did You Know? The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts "excellent" job prospects through 2018 for information system workers and managers, since new technology is driving a need for new hires.
Average Salary for Information Systems Majors: $87,100
Related Careers and Salaries:
Computer systems administrators: $66,310
Network systems analysts: $71,100
Information systems managers: $112,210
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#5 - Education Degree
And coming in last, but certainly not least, is education.
Unlike some of our other rewarding degrees, education didn't rely upon high pay to crack our list. Instead job satisfaction and happiness - imagine that! - are primarily responsible.
According to a 2009 study by MetLife, teachers are more satisfied with their careers now than at any time in the past 25 years. The study measured job satisfaction with regards to such indicators as pay; recognition, and respect from society as a whole.
Did You Know? A 2007 University of Chicago study found that the most rewarding jobs involve serving others. Education administrators and teachers finished near the top of the list.
Average Salary for Education Majors: $54,900
Related Careers and Salaries:
And coming in last, but certainly not least, is education.
Unlike some of our other rewarding degrees, education didn't rely upon high pay to crack our list. Instead job satisfaction and happiness - imagine that! - are primarily responsible.
According to a 2009 study by MetLife, teachers are more satisfied with their careers now than at any time in the past 25 years. The study measured job satisfaction with regards to such indicators as pay; recognition, and respect from society as a whole.
Did You Know? A 2007 University of Chicago study found that the most rewarding jobs involve serving others. Education administrators and teachers finished near the top of the list.
Average Salary for Education Majors: $54,900
Related Careers and Salaries:
Middle school vocational teachers: $47,870
Secondary schools special education teachers: $51,340
Elementary school principals: $85,907
