5 Highest Paying Bachelor’s Degrees In 2024, From Research

Planning to enrol in college to start your undergraduate studies in January?

If you’re still weighing up your options and are feeling a little uncertain or undecided about your next educational and career move, here is some information to help you make the right decision:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published a list of fastest growing occupations between 2023 to 2033, which included:

• Wind turbine service technicians
• Solar photovoltaic installers
• Nurse practitioners
• Data scientists
• Information security analysts
• And many other diverse roles

These roles range in salary from as low as $48,000 to as high as $145,000 a year.

Here are the in-demand bachelor’s degrees you would need to study, which are closely connected with these positions.

(However, it is important to note that although the bachelor’s degree list below can help you secure the above roles and others, there are many professionals who are able to achieve successful careers in these jobs through obtaining an associate degree instead, in conjunction with completing certifications, gaining hands-on entry-level experience, and ongoing training. In short, there are several routes into a career, not just the mainstream traditional four-year degree route.

1. Bachelor of Science In Renewable Energy/Sustainable Energy

Climate and sustainability practices have taken center stage over the past few years, with Gen Z being the most vocal and outspoken on these issues, especially with regards to corporate social responsibility and ethics.

CEO: C-suite news, analysis, and advice for top decision makers right to your inbox.Get the latest news on special offers, product updates and content suggestions from Forbes and its affiliates.Sign Up

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service, and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in renewable or sustainable energy places you at the forefront of change and innovation and enables you to make a difference in contributing to what you are passionate about. Although you only really need an associate degree to be a wind turbine service technician, you can use this your bachelor’s degree to land this role and many other sustainability and green energy-related jobs including in consulting.

2. Bachelor Of Science In Electrical Engineering

Solar photovoltaic installers usually have an associate’s degree or possess a technical certificate in solar energy, such as the certifications available from the industry leader, Solar Energy International.

But if you have a bachelor’s degree, that’s an added bonus. A degree in electrical engineering would certainly give you an advantage and bring an extra layer of flexibility and high-paying career options, including broadcast engineer and even a foot in the door with machine learning and software engineering.

3. Bachelor Of Science In Nursing

With a bachelor program in nursing, you can become a registered nurse and work in hospitals, private clinics, community practices, and domestic care. You might even decide to obtain an MSN (master of science in nursing) to take your career further; with this, you can become a nurse practitioner, and choose to narrow in on a range of specialisms such as family nurse or women’s health practitioner.

4. Bachelor’s Of Science In Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Or Mathematics

As you can probably guess by now, bachelor degrees that pay the most tend to be in scientific or STEM-related majors such as with healthcare (nursing) and renewable energy solutions. You will observe the same pattern with other concentrations such as mathematics and computer science. These lead to high-paying roles such as AI engineer, data analyst, and financial careers as well.ForbesHow To Get A Remote Cybersecurity Job In 2024By Rachel Wells

5. Bachelor Of Science In Information Systems, Information Technology, Or Cybersecurity

A degree in cybersecurity can lead to an eye-watering six-figure median pay of $120,000 a year, and has strong long-term job projections, with a 33% growth surge according to the BLS. With this degree your career prospects can include cybersecurity analyst, security architect, information systems manager, and even digital forensic analyst.

As you gear up to commence your undergraduate studies in January, remember that your degree is not only a ticket to a high-paying job, but this is your first step into a dynamic and exciting career that gives you the opportunity to impact the world meaningfully. Whether you’re passionate about sustainability, healthcare, data, or information security, there is no limit to your career potential.

Source: Forbes.com