The Watercooler

Top 5 College Majors in Demand

Will you earn a livable salary right out of college?

Will professionals in your field be in-demand five or 10 years from now?

Will your college degree lead to a career with substantial earning and advancement potential?

School may be out for the summer, but now is the perfect time to consult the experts – and ensure you’re in the right field. Below, PrideStaff presents our top 5 in-demand college majors, using data compiled from two major sources (Kiplinger and Forbes):

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering remains a strong choice for students interested in infrastructure, construction and large-scale public projects. Engineering graduates from the Class of 2026 are projected to earn an average starting salary of $81,198. Civil engineers earned a median annual salary of $99,590 in 2024, and employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 23,600 openings each year.

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering combines engineering, biology and healthcare technology. Engineering graduates are projected to earn an average starting salary of $81,198 in 2026, while bioengineers and biomedical engineers earned a median annual salary of $106,950 in 2024. Employment is projected to grow 5% through 2034, with approximately 1,300 openings each year.

Computer Science

Computer science continues to offer access to careers in software development, data, cybersecurity, networks and business technology. Computer science graduates from the Class of 2026 are projected to earn an average starting salary of $81,535, and 60% of surveyed employers said they planned to hire computer science majors. Software developers earned a median annual salary of $133,080 in 2024, while employment for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers is projected to grow 15% through 2034, generating about 129,200 openings per year.

Nursing

Nursing remains a high-demand field with opportunities in hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, home healthcare and other settings. Healthcare-related bachelor’s degree graduates from the Class of 2024 reported an average starting salary of $63,608. Registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $93,600 in 2024, and employment is projected to grow 5% through 2034, with approximately 189,100 openings each year.

Students should not use a nurse practitioner salary as the expected salary immediately after earning a bachelor’s degree. Nurse practitioners require advanced education and certification. However, the role had a $129,210 median salary in 2024 and is projected to grow 40% through 2034, making it a strong long-term advancement option for nurses.

Management Information Systems

Management information systems combines business operations with technology, data and project management. The latest publicly available NACE projection placed the average starting salary for MIS graduates at $71,556 for the Class of 2025. Related careers include computer systems analyst, which had a $103,790 median annual salary and a 9% projected growth rate, and computer and information systems manager, which had a $171,200 median salary and a 15% projected growth rate through 2034. Management positions generally require several years of related experience, so the IT manager figure should be presented as long-term earning potential rather than an entry-level salary.

I would also change “Top 5 College Majors in Demand” to something like “5 In-Demand College Majors With Strong Salary and Job Growth Potential” so the updated page better matches the statistics and avoids claiming these are definitively the five most in-demand majors nationwide.

Want to work in a high-demand, high-growth field?

Connect with opportunities through PrideStaff. With offices nationwide, we offer a wide range of temporary, temp-to-hire and direct opportunities in high-growth industries and high-demand fields. Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great jobs.

College Majors in Demand FAQ

Which majors are in the most demand?
The majors highlighted in this article are civil engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, nursing, and management information systems. These in-demand majors prepare students for careers in infrastructure, healthcare, technology, and business systems, although demand can vary by location and occupation.
What college degrees are in demand?
College degrees in engineering, computer science, healthcare, and information systems are often connected to occupations that require specialized skills. Students comparing degrees that are in demand should also consider licensing requirements, career flexibility, advancement opportunities, and the type of work they want to perform.
What are the top five college degrees for high-demand careers?
The top five college degrees featured on this page are:

  1. Civil engineering
  2. Biomedical engineering
  3. Computer science
  4. Nursing
  5. Management information systems

Each degree leads to a different career path, so students should compare the required college studies, likely job duties, and long-term advancement potential.

Which degrees have the best job opportunities?
Degrees with the best job opportunities often prepare graduates for several related occupations rather than one narrowly defined role. Computer science and management information systems can support multiple technology and business careers, while engineering and nursing offer more specialized career paths. Students and recent graduates can also explore PrideStaff’s job seeker resources for help navigating their search.
What are the most useful college majors?
The most useful college majors build both specialized knowledge and transferable skills. Majors that strengthen problem-solving, data analysis, communication, project management, technical literacy, and teamwork can help graduates adapt as industries, technologies, and job requirements change.
What are the most profitable majors?
Engineering, computer science, and management information systems may provide strong earning potential, but salary varies by occupation, location, experience, and education level. When comparing the most profitable majors, students should consider the cost of the degree, starting job opportunities, advancement potential, and whether the work fits their interests.
What are the best college majors for a rewarding career?
The best college major depends on what makes a career rewarding to the individual. Nursing and biomedical engineering may appeal to students interested in healthcare, civil engineering may fit those interested in infrastructure, and computer science or MIS may suit students who enjoy technology and business systems. PrideStaff’s staffing solutions by role and industry can help job seekers explore different career paths.
Is computer science one of the highest-demand majors?
Computer science is included among the highest-demand majors because it develops skills applicable to software, applications, systems, networks, data, and other technology-related work. Its versatility can give graduates access to several career paths instead of limiting them to one job title.
Are nursing and engineering degrees in high demand?
Nursing and engineering can both lead to specialized careers, but they require different education and credentials. Nursing typically involves clinical training and licensing, while engineering programs emphasize mathematics, science, design, and technical problem-solving. For related administrative career paths within healthcare settings, job seekers can explore PrideStaff’s healthcare and medical office opportunities.