7 Best Degrees for the Future: Highest-Paying Careers in 2026

Your earning potential and job security depend heavily on the degree you choose for the future. Want a degree that will stay relevant? Computer Science graduates earn a median salary of $136,620, and the field is set to grow by 23% through 2032.

STEM and healthcare fields now dominate the list of degrees that employers need. When you think about the best degrees for 2025, here’s something interesting: information security analysts will see their job opportunities grow by 33% from 2023 to 2033. Software developers’ median salaries will hit $130,000 this year.

Some surprising fields prove quite stable, contrary to what many believe. Art history and nutritional sciences show impressive unemployment rates of just 3% and 0.4%. STEM fields still lead the way as experts predict growth up to 28.4% through 2033.

The degree you pick today will shape your career path for years ahead. Technology, healthcare, or finance – each field offers unique opportunities. Let’s look at seven degrees that are a great way to get returns on your educational investment in 2025 and beyond.

1. Computer Science

Computer science is one of the most lucrative and stable fields for students looking ahead. As technology becomes essential in every industry, a computer science degree creates paths to various careers that offer excellent financial rewards and room to grow

Computer Science Salary Outlook

The money you can make in computer science speaks for itself. Computer and information research scientists earn a median annual salary of $140,910 in 2024. This is more than twice the national median of $49,500 for all jobs.

The pay remains strong in different computer science roles:

• Computer network architects: $130,390
• Software developers: $131,450
• Computer systems analysts: $103,790
• Database administrators and architects: $123,100
• Information security analysts: $124,910

Your experience level makes a big difference in what you earn. Payscale data shows new professionals (0-1 years) typically make around $71,000. People with 10-19 years of experience can earn $128,471. Where you work matters too. San Francisco professionals earn about 12% more than the national average.

A master’s degree in computer science can boost your earnings by 16% compared to a bachelor’s degree. Master’s graduates average $111,000 while bachelor’s degree holders earn $98,740.

Computer Science Job Growth

Job prospects in computer science look better than expected in almost every specialty. The field will grow much faster than the national job growth rate of 3.1% between 2024 and 2034.

Some specialties show remarkable growth:

• Information security analysts: 29% growth
• Computer and information research scientists: 20% growth
• Computer network architects: 12% growth
• Computer systems analysts: 9% growth

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects about 317,700 new job openings in computer and information technology each year through 2034. Data scientists will see an impressive 36% growth, making it one of America’s fastest-growing jobs.

Core Skills in Computer Science

Success in computer science comes from mastering both technical expertise and professional skills. Companies look for people who excel in both areas.

Essential Technical Skills:

• Programming languages knowledge (Python, C++, Java, SQL) creates the foundation for computer science careers
• Data analysis and interpretation skills help professionals learn useful information
• Technical writing abilities help document work and share findings
• Mathematics skills solve complex problems and create algorithms

Critical Workplace Skills:

• Communication ranks as “the number one soft skill” among industry experts
• Attention to detail helps catch programming errors and ensure code quality
• Time management helps balance multiple projects
• Problem-solving breaks down complex challenges step by step

Career Opportunities in Computer Science

Computer science graduates can work in many industries. New fields offer exciting prospects for 2025 and beyond.

AI and machine learning lead the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Professionals in these areas create technologies that change how we live. Cybersecurity specialists are in high demand, with information security analyst jobs set to grow 29% through 2034.

Other fast-growing fields include:

• Cloud computing, which replaces on-premises servers
• Data science, which guides business decisions through big data analysis
• User experience (UX) design, which makes digital interfaces better
• Bioinformatics, which uses computation to understand biological data

A computer science degree offers exceptional value—1,752.59% return on investment. The degree pays for itself after just five years of work. Graduates can expect to earn about $9.7 million over their career. Those graduating in 2025 might reach $10.7 million.

Students who want degrees that employers value will find computer science to be a smart choice. The mix of financial rewards, job security, and diverse opportunities makes computer science one of the absolute best degrees for the future 2025.

2. Nursing

Nursing is the foundation of healthcare systems worldwide. It offers remarkable stability and growth potential if you have career goals in mind. Healthcare needs keep changing, and nursing continues to rank among the best degrees for the future. The field provides steady work, competitive pay, and many career paths to choose from.

Nursing Salary Outlook

The money you can make as a nurse has hit new heights in 2025. The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows registered nurses earn an average annual salary of $98,430 ($47.32 hourly). This is a big deal as it means that the national average for all occupations of approximately $49,500. RNs now have a median annual salary of $93,600 ($45.00 hourly).

Where you work makes a huge difference in what you earn:

• California tops the list with RN salaries around $148,000 annually
• Hawaii comes in second at $124,000 per year
• Oregon offers about $120,000 annually
• Washington and Massachusetts round out the top five with $116,000 and $113,000 respectively

South Dakota sits at the lower end, with RNs earning about $72,000 annually. Experience plays a big role too. New nurses typically start at $60,000-$70,000, while those with 10+ years often make over $100,000 annually.

Your education level affects your pay. Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) usually earn more than those with Associate degrees. Special certifications can boost your salary by $5,000 to $15,000 each year.

Nursing Job Growth

The job market for nurses looks incredibly strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 6% growth for registered nurses from 2023 to 2033. This means about 194,500 RN job openings each year from both growth and replacement needs.

Several things drive this reliable growth:

• Baby boomers need more healthcare as they age
• Many nurses are retiring, creating job openings
• Healthcare focuses more on prevention and value-based care
• More nurses work in outpatient and community settings

The nursing workforce keeps growing. About 3.28 million RNs worked in 2024-2025, up from 3 million ten years ago. All the same, we still can’t meet the rising demand. The World Health Organization warns we might be short 9 million nurses by 2030. This explains why nursing stays among the degrees that are in demand.

Nurse Practitioners have even better growth prospects than regular RN positions. This makes advanced nursing degrees a smart investment for your future.

Core Skills in Nursing

To succeed in nursing, you need both technical know-how and people skills. Employers want nurses who can handle both clinical work and interact well with others.

The most important nursing skills include:

• Communication skills: These help you work with patients, other healthcare workers, and keep good records
• Empathy and compassion: These build trust and help provide patient-focused care
• Critical thinking: You need this to make quick decisions and solve problems under pressure
• Attention to detail: This matters most when giving medications and checking patients

Nurses must show integrity, stand up for patients, and keep learning as healthcare changes. You also need physical strength and emotional toughness to handle emergencies and stressful situations.

Many employers help with career growth through tuition help, loan forgiveness, and special training programs.

Career Opportunities in Nursing

Nursing graduates can work almost anywhere. While 55% of RNs work in hospitals, you can find jobs in clinics, nursing homes, schools, public health, primary care, home healthcare, insurance companies, and many other places.

Looking at the best degrees for the future 2025, advanced nursing roles offer great opportunities:

• Nurse Practitioners can write prescriptions and diagnose illnesses in many states
• Telehealth nurses work remotely with flexible hours
• Home healthcare nurses make $80,000+ depending on their specialty
• Legal nurse consultants charge $150-$300 per hour for expert advice
• Travel nurses can earn $3,000+ weekly on special assignments

Advanced degrees open more doors. About 17.4% of nurses have master’s degrees and 2.7% have doctoral degrees. These qualifications lead to advanced practice, specialized roles, teaching, and research positions with higher pay and more independence.

Jobs are practically guaranteed – unemployment rarely goes above 1.5%. With competitive pay across all specialties, nursing is known as one of the smartest educational investments if you want a degree that’s in demand.

3. Data Science

Data science excels as a dynamic and high-value field that blends statistical analysis, programming, and domain expertise to get practical insights from complex data. Modern organizations rely heavily on evidence-based decision making. A degree in data science puts graduates at the cutting edge of technological innovation and business strategy.

Data Science Salary Outlook

Data science careers offer impressive financial rewards. Data scientists earn a median annual salary of $112,590 ($54.13 hourly) as of 2025. These numbers place them among technology sector’s highest-paid professionals. New data scientists with 0-1 years of experience typically earn around $152,000 yearly. The salaries grow steadily as professionals gain more expertise.

Here’s what you can expect to earn at different levels:

• Junior data scientists: $80,432 to $101,098
• Senior data scientists: $156,924 annually
• Principal data scientists: $186,984 annually
• Directors of data science: $189,797 annually

Your location plays a big role in compensation. Scientific research and development services offer median wages of $120,090. The most qualified candidates in specialized roles can earn up to $307,440 annually. These numbers show the field’s exceptional earning potential.

Data Science Job Growth

The job market looks extremely promising for data science professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 34% growth for data scientists from 2024 to 2034. This growth rate is ten times higher than the average for all occupations. Each year brings roughly 23,400 job openings. Qualified candidates have plenty of opportunities.

This remarkable growth comes from several key factors:

• Rising demand for artificial intelligence models
• Increasing focus on data analysis across industries
• Growing integration of applications into business operations

Data science ranks as the fourth fastest-growing occupation in the American economy. Our research shows data science employment will surge 41.9% through 2031. These numbers confirm its position as one of the best degrees for the future 2025.

Core Skills in Data Science

Data science success requires both technical expertise and people skills. Companies want professionals who excel at data analysis and communicate their findings clearly.

Must-have technical skills include:

• Programming proficiency in languages like Python, R, and SQL
• Statistical analysis and mathematics fundamentals
• Machine learning and deep learning expertise
• Data wrangling and visualization abilities
• Cloud computing knowledge

These technical abilities work best when paired with workplace skills like:

• Communication skills for presenting insights to stakeholders
• Collaboration abilities for cross-functional teamwork
• Business understanding of specific industries
• Ethical awareness regarding data privacy and algorithm bias

Most employers look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or related fields. Many prefer candidates with master’s or doctoral degrees. Specialized bootcamps and certification programs provide alternative paths into the field.

Career Opportunities in Data Science

A data science degree unlocks opportunities across almost every industry. Beyond traditional roles, specialized positions offer unique paths for career growth.

Data science graduates often become:

• Machine learning engineers ($150,300 annually)
• Machine learning scientists ($135,000 annually)
• Applications architects ($146,200 annually)
• Enterprise architects ($150,400 annually)
• Data engineers ($129,900 annually)
• Business intelligence developers ($105,300 annually)

Data scientists work in many sectors: computer systems design (11%), insurance (10%), company management (9%), consulting (6%), and scientific research (5%). This widespread demand makes data science one of the most degrees that are in demand across the economy.

The field guarantees employment with salaries that far exceed national averages. A data science degree represents a smart educational investment for students who want strong returns on their academic efforts.

4. Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering combines technical expertise with physical systems knowledge. This field proves to be a reliable degree choice that offers great earning potential and career stability. The evolution of manufacturing through automation and environmentally responsible practices keeps skilled mechanical engineers valuable in many industries.

Mechanical Engineering Salary Outlook

Mechanical engineers earn excellent compensation with median annual salaries reaching $102,320 in 2024. This is a big deal as it means that the salary surpasses the national median of $49,500 for all occupations. The salary range varies widely—the bottom 10% earn about $64,560 yearly, while the top 10% make over $157,470.

Your experience level shapes your earning potential. New graduates typically start at $70,000-85,000. Mid-career professionals with 5-10 years of experience and professional engineering licensing can earn $110,000-140,000. Senior engineers with 10-15 years of expertise often reach $140,000-180,000 based on their specialty.

The industry you choose affects your salary significantly. Renewable energy, automation, and energy sectors pay 15-25% more than manufacturing averages. Location plays a vital role too—engineers in Alberta and Texas energy sectors earn 25-35% above national averages.

Mechanical Engineering Job Growth

The job market for mechanical engineers looks exceptional through 2033. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 11% growth. This is a big deal as it means that the growth rate exceeds the typical 3-5% for all occupations. You can expect about 32,100 new positions, with roughly 19,800 openings each year from both new roles and replacement needs.

Manufacturing remains the biggest employer with 45.4% of mechanical engineering positions. The reliable growth comes from the rising need for innovative solutions in industries of all sizes.

Core Skills in Mechanical Engineering

Success in this field depends on balancing technical expertise with workplace capabilities. Employers look for candidates who excel in both areas.

Key technical skills include:

• CAD proficiency in software like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Fusion 360
• Mathematics aptitude especially in statistics and calculus
• Project management abilities to coordinate complex initiatives
• Programming knowledge in languages like Python or C++ for automation

These technical skills work best with workplace abilities like creative problem-solving, business-minded critical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication for team collaboration.

Most positions ask for a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. Getting Professional Engineering (PE) licensing requires a degree from an accredited program and passing standardized exams. This certification opens doors to leadership roles and typically brings 10-15% higher pay.

Career Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering graduates can work in many sectors. Beyond traditional design and development roles, specialized positions offer unique paths forward.

Jobs exist in architectural and engineering services, machinery manufacturing, and transportation equipment. Different regions have their specialties—Alberta leads in energy, Ontario dominates manufacturing, while Texas and California focus on energy and aerospace.

Specialized roles show great promise. These include automation engineering for high-speed manufacturing, mechatronics engineering that combines mechanics and electronics, and sustainability consulting to optimize environmental impact. These specialties often pay more due to their focused expertise.

If you want a degree that’s in demand, mechanical engineering ranks among the best degrees for the future 2025. The mix of great pay, steady job growth, and diverse career options makes it a smart choice for your future.

5. Finance

A finance degree gives you the versatile analytical skills that retain their value through economic cycles. Graduates can pursue many career paths with excellent compensation potential. Finance professionals serve as the substance of business operations by connecting data analysis with strategic decision-making, making this field one of the best degrees for the future.

Finance Salary Outlook

Finance professionals earn competitive compensation in specializations of all types. Financial analysts make median salaries between $46,000 and $69,000 annually. Investment bankers earn even more—starting around $69,000 with potential earnings over $115,000 including bonuses. Risk managers typically earn between $58,000 and $92,000.

Specialized roles come with impressive pay scales:

• Financial analysts: $101,910 median annual wage
• Personal financial advisors: $102,140 median annual wage
• Management analysts: $101,190 median annual wage
• Project management specialists: $100,750 median annual wage

Experience plays a big role in earnings potential, and senior positions offer notable premiums. Financial advisors earn between $40,000 and $80,000, but this number grows quickly as their client portfolio expands. Fintech specialists earn between $58,000 and $104,000 based on their expertise.

Finance Job Growth

Finance professionals can expect strong employment prospects through 2034. Business and financial occupations will grow faster than average, creating about 942,500 openings annually. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% growth for financial analysts from 2022 to 2032. Personal financial advisors will see even better prospects with 13% growth.

These factors create strong job prospects:

• Business decisions need expert analysis of data
• Complex portfolio management with diverse investment options
• Strategic guidance becomes essential during economic uncertainty
• Growing regulatory requirements

Finance has become one of the degrees that are in demand in multiple sectors. The securities industry expects high growth from regulatory changes, new technology, and expanding global markets.

Core Skills in Finance

Modern finance professionals must master both technical capabilities and workplace skills. The digital world has made learning agility “the number one skill”—knowing how to adapt to change matters most.

Essential technical skills include:

• Analytical thinking, which top employers like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup value
• Financial forecasting to plan business and evaluate investments
• Communication skills to explain complex financial data
• Management abilities to lead teams and processes

Employers value professionals who understand both finance and technology. About 95% of finance leaders expect their teams to work on major digital transformation projects over the next two years. This creates high demand for skills in artificial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

Career Opportunities in Finance

Finance graduates find opportunities in many industries. Financial managers represent one of the fastest-growing careers with 9.10% projected growth. Personal financial advisors show strong potential with 7.75% growth.

Students looking for the best degrees for the future 2025 should consider these promising specialized roles:

• Financial risk specialists who develop AI governance frameworks
• Financial analysts with data science expertise
• Compliance officers who ensure regulatory adherence

Finance professionals can work in almost any sector. The European finance industry alone adds tens of thousands of new positions each year. Most top graduates find jobs within a month after graduation, which shows the field’s strong demand.

Finance remains one of the smartest educational investments for forward-thinking students, offering excellent pay, steady job growth, and diverse career options.

6. Information Systems

Information Systems graduates become vital bridges between technology and business operations. This makes the field a strategic choice for future-focused careers. These professionals combine technical knowledge with business expertise to help organizations use technology for competitive advantage.

Information systems professionals earn impressive compensation in roles of all types. Computer and information systems managers earn a median annual wage of $171,200. They rank among the highest-paid technology positions. The top 10% earn more than $239,200 annually. Specialized industries like information services offer median salaries of $196,060.

The field offers many well-paying roles:

• Database architects: $128,400
• Software developers: $141,200
• Information systems managers: $167,800
• Database administrators: $122,200

Entry-level IT positions start around $70,000 annually. Senior roles in cloud architecture, AI engineering, or security consulting can reach $150,000-$200,000 per year. A master’s degree makes a big difference in earning potential. IT professionals with master’s degrees earn an average of $122,000, compared to the general master’s graduate average of $90,324.

Information Systems Job Growth

Information systems professionals will see excellent job prospects through 2034. Computer and information systems manager positions will grow by 15%, creating about 55,600 openings each year. Information security analyst roles will grow even faster at 33%, making them one of the fastest-growing careers.

Other IS roles show promising growth:

• Software developers: 17%
• Web developers: 17%
• Software quality assurance analysts: 20%

Organizations rely more on information technology services. They need skilled professionals to plan and oversee computer hardware and software implementation.

Core Skills in Information Systems

Success in information systems comes from mastering both technical expertise and workplace skills. Technical skills include computer science knowledge, programming proficiency, database design expertise, and security awareness. Professionals also need problem-solving abilities, management skills, and industry-specific knowledge.

Analytical thinking helps IS professionals develop strategic plans. Strong communication skills let them explain complex concepts to executives and give clear instructions to team members. Leadership abilities help them guide and motivate IT teams to optimize their work.

Career Opportunities in Information Systems

Information systems graduates find jobs in every sector that uses IT facilities. Local and central government, education, healthcare, charities, media, and intelligence agencies all need these professionals. Private-sector employers like IT consultancy firms, software houses, and telecom companies actively seek IS talent.

Some specialized roles offer excellent compensation:

• Data scientists earn around $108,000 annually
• IT product managers make approximately $159,000 annually
• CIOs/IT directors reach $217,000-$346,000 annually

Information systems stands out as one of the best degrees for the future 2025. It offers exceptional versatility, excellent compensation, and significant growth potential. These factors make it one of the most valuable degrees that are in demand in today’s technology-driven economy.

7. Mathematics

Mathematics ranks at the top of job satisfaction surveys, with mathematician or actuary taking first or second place over multiple years. This high ranking shows the field’s exceptional career prospects and confirms its place among the best degrees for the future.

Mathematics Salary Outlook

Math graduates earn impressive salaries with median annual wages of $86,000. Specialized roles pay even better—actuaries make about $125,770 yearly, mathematicians $121,680, and statisticians $103,300. Location makes a big difference in earnings. Seattle-based mathematicians earn $153,070 annually, which is 27% above the national average. Math degree holders reach median salaries of $88,800 mid-career, while those focusing on actuarial mathematics earn $120,000.

Mathematics Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that mathematician and statistician jobs will grow 11% from 2023-2033. This is a big deal as it means that the growth exceeds typical occupational growth rates. We predict about 2,200 openings for these professionals each year. Data scientists, who work in a related field, will see remarkable 34% growth. This makes data science one of the fastest-growing career paths for math graduates.

Core Skills in Mathematics

A math degree builds several key skills:

• Analytical and quantitative reasoning
• Exceptional communication abilities
• Problem-solving approaches
• Technical proficiency with tools like MATLAB and Python

These skills create versatile professionals who succeed in a variety of environments. Math majors perform better than students from all other disciplines on professional entrance exams, including LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT.

Career Opportunities in Mathematics

Math graduates succeed in many sectors. Popular careers include actuaries, data analysts, financial analysts, computer programmers, and statisticians. Major employers come from finance, defense technology, engineering, and artificial intelligence. The degree’s value shows in the numbers – 73% of math degree holders work in jobs that need at least a bachelor’s degree. This makes mathematics one of the most valuable degrees that are in demand for the best degrees for the future 2025.

Begin Your Future Today

These seven degrees will set you up for an amazing career in the coming years. STEM and healthcare fields lead the pack as the highest-paying, fastest-growing professions for 2025 and beyond. Computer Science, Data Science, and Information Systems graduates see growth rates of 15-30%, while Mathematics professionals get great job satisfaction and strong pay.

All the same, technical skills alone won’t cut it. Employers want candidates who blend specialized knowledge with communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. These extra skills help distinguish good candidates from great ones in these seven fields.

On top of that, where you work affects your earning potential greatly. Tech hubs like San Francisco and Seattle pay premium salaries to Computer Science and Mathematics graduates. Healthcare centers offer Nursing professionals competitive compensation packages too.

Without doubt, getting educated in these fields pays off big time. Computer Science degrees show a 1,752% return on investment. Data Science positions grow ten times faster than the national average. Traditional fields like Mechanical Engineering stay strong with growth projections above 11%.

Whatever path you pick, these seven degrees have key things in common. They build transferable analytical skills and stay relevant despite tech changes. They also open doors in many industries. This is a big deal as it means that most starting salaries beat national averages, with experienced pros potentially earning $100,000-$200,000 yearly.

The degree you choose today will shape your career for decades. These seven options – Computer Science, Nursing, Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Finance, Information Systems, and Mathematics – give you an edge in our competitive job market. They give you the versatility, earning potential, and stability to succeed through whatever economic and tech changes come our way through 2025 and beyond.