Planning for college can be challenging in more ways than one. Not only do you have to navigate the application process, but also have to figure out your payment options, whether you are going to go the traditional or dual credit route, and decide what you’re going to study.
For some, this part is easy — maybe you discovered your college major in elementary school and never looked back.
For others, choosing a degree program can be wrought with frustration and anxiety. For those of you who need a little inspiration, here’s a look at 2015’s most popular degree programs, based on a study conducted by Georgetown University.
Business Management and Administration – This versatile degree is by far the most popular, for both on-campus and online learning programs. Graduates go on to find work in a variety of fields, including public relations, human resources, education, and finance, with an average salary of $62,000. Charter Oak State College offers a Business Administration Major, and all of your exam credits will transfer!
General Business – General business degree-holders appeal to employers in every industry, and most programs cover finance, marketing, human resources, and business strategies. The average salary is $65,000. Choosing to apply all of your exam credits toward Charter Oak’s General Studies Major with a concentration in business is a great option if you want to accelerate your graduation or save money with options on how you can earn credits.
Accounting – While the most popular career choice for this degree is becoming a CPA, graduates will also find work as auditors, tax examiners, and financial analysts, with an average salary of $69,000.
Nursing – With an average salary of $65,000 per year, registered nurse jobs are growing at a rate of 19% per year.
Psychology – Psychologists study human behavior and cognitive processes, and graduates with a bachelor degree will earn an average of $49,000 per year. Charter Oak also has a Psychology Major in which all of your exam credits will transfer.
Communications and Mass Media – This degree works well in a number of fields, including journalism, marketing, and public relations. The average annual salary for graduates is $54,000.
Marketing and Marketing Research – Just about every business makes use of marketing professionals. Career opportunities are
projected to grow 32% through 2022, and the average salary is $63,000.
General Education – For students who want to broaden their education in a range of disciplines. Professionals with a general education degree make an average of $46,000 annually. When my own kids earned their bachelor’s degrees, they chose the General Studies Major and then chose concentrations in history/English/business/psychology, etc. For less than $8,000 they earned this valuable degree and were able to accelerate it earning a large number of credits by exam. This degree program is an excellent option for students that will be going on to graduate school.
Elementary Education – Teachers will always be in demand, and this rewarding field is growing by 12%. The average annual salary is $43,000.
English Language and Literature – If you love reading and writing, you can find meaningful work as a journalist, a professor, a copywriter, or an author. This is an expansive field, but in general, English degree-holders make about $53,000 annually.
Regardless of which degree you choose, plan to use dual credit to help you accelerate your degree path. You’ll not only save thousands of dollars, but you will finish your degree faster and start your dream job sooner!
