Maximizing college ROI - Need your thoughts

Hello all! So, I'm thinking ahead here, and really want to ensure I make the most of my college years. Which degrees do you think make the most money post-graduation? I'd really appreciate your experiences/input on this subject. Thanks in advance!

While the potential returns on your education do factor into your choice of courses, picking a major only based on its ability to maximize future income may not always be the best approach. That being said, degrees in engineering, computer science, finance, and economics are known to offer some of the highest salary prospects post-graduation.

However, it's also essential to consider your interests and aptitudes along with the potential returns. A field's median wage might be high, but if you're not genuinely interested in that field, you might not reach that earning potential or be satisfied with your career.

To add on, it's worth noting that compensation varies significantly within a given field, too. For instance, engineering graduates have high earning potential overall, but Petroleum Engineering majors tend to earn more than, say, Agricultural Engineering majors. Other high-earning fields typically include courses in the health professions (like Pharmacy or Dentistry), and the hard sciences like Physics and Chemistry.

That being said, remember that these sorts of salary statistics often refer to averages or medians, and actual earnings can vary based on multiple factors, including individual performance, location, and the specific employer.

Another avenue to consider would be graduate school. Though more schooling might not sound appealing now, fields like law, business, medicine, and academic research often require graduate degrees. These fields can often be lucrative, though this of course comes with the additional cost and time of grad school.

So in sum, while statistics about degrees and their earning potentials are informative, they are not an absolute path. It's worth taking the time to explore many options and think about what you are passionate about, what you are skilled at, and what you want in your future career.