Future Degrees:
10 College Majors with the Fasted Projected Growth
Future degrees for students - pick a college major that will prepare you for one of the fastest growing professions. This list is comprised of college degrees with the fastest growth based on their respective professions, not the highest numerical growth of all professions.
To help understand the ranking for the list below, here is an example: there are a projected 7,119,000 positions that will open for nursing between 2010 and 2020 resulting in 26% growth, however Biomedical Engineering will grow 72% by adding 116,000 new jobs. Future degrees means future jobs - the degrees that prepare you for the fastest growing professions.
1.) Biomedical Engineering
Combining biology and engineering, biomedical engineers use analytical and problems solving skills to develop technological solutions to clinical problems.
Bioengineers are involved in the design and creation of artificial organs, patient monitoring systems, medical imaging systems, and the design of clinical laboratories, which only name a few specializations. Medical jobs are booming, and at a 72% job growth over the next decade, bioengineering definitely has its place among one of the best future degrees.
2.) Computer Information Systems (CIS)
Common Professions:
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Network Systems Engineer
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Network Administrator
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Database Administrator
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Web Developer
The professions above all show promise for extreme growth over the next 10 years. A degree in CIS normally gives you base knowledge of IT systems administration, design, and support - all of which will have career opportunities once you finish up college.
Almost every operating business has some sort of IT team working their infrastructure - a fact that is sure not to change at any time in the foreseeable future.
3.) Nursing (RN)
Colleges that provide nursing programs are becoming more and more competitive. Current students know that there are plenty of jobs for registered nurses (RN), and that there is an upward trend for the creation of RN opportunities.
The aging baby boom generation has provided a need for healthcare professionals; the BLS estimates that 7,119,000 new RN positions will open up within this decade.
4.) Accounting
Common Professions:
Accounting jobs show many open positions at present, and many more to come this decade. An accounting degree trains you for a wide variety of positions that cater to future technical systems that accountants use on the job - the best future degrees are the ones that come from schools that teach current and future technologies.
The future of accounting professions is secure based on ever changing tax laws becoming more and more strict.
5.) Computer Science
Common Professions:
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Software Engineer
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Computer Programmer
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Systems Analyst
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Database Design
The BLS estimates a 34% increase in software engineer jobs alone, this is not including all the other various professions that a degree in computer science will prepare college students for. Not everyone has the knack or desire to work with computer code, which may help keep the current job market from becoming too saturated from graduates in the computer science field.
Current students that are studying the industry are worried that many coding jobs are being outsourced overseas, but the BLS estimates that many jobs will be available in the US for graduates for years to come.
6.) Finance
Common Professions:
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Securities Broker
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Branch Manager
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Insurance Sales Agent
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Financial Advisor
Financial experts are needed in every industry, and finance degrees will be needed in the future to fill upcoming jobs. A degree in finance doesn't just lead to a desk job at a bank, there are many possible career choices graduates can take.
Sales and finance management are two of the most highest paying professions in the US, and there are plenty of job opening for qualified applicants. While new graduates might not qualify for executive level six figure salary positions, many entry level positions are open to finance degree holders.
7.) Physician Assisting
Physician Assistant (PA) is a relatively new position to the US. Under the supervisions of a licensed physician, a PA performs many duties including interpreting lab tests and x-rays, diagnosing patients, making medical recommendations, and making decisions on how to treat patients.
Students interested in becoming PA's must pass an accredited college program that typically lasts 2 years after receiving a Bachelors degree.
Physician Assistants are needed as a cost-effective alternative to hiring additional staff physicians, as well as to supplement the medical team of a healthcare organization.
8.) Biochemistry
Common Professions:
Healthcare has many openings now, and even more coming in the the next decade. Students seeking future degrees in healthcare, but do not have the desire to work in patient care should look into biochemistry.
A degree in biochem fully prepares students for a plethora of research positions. Colleges that offer specializations in biochemistry will offer even greater possibilities after graduation.
9.) Medical Assisting
Before the advent of medical assisting, nurses were responsible for an even wider variety of job responsibilities. Medical assistants help relieve some of those duties that do not require as much of an educational or experienced background.
Most medical assisting programs offered at colleges reward an Associates degree upon completion. There are, and will continue to be in the foreseeable future, plenty of opportunities for medical assistants across the country.
10.) Veterinary Medicine
Common Professions:
Yet another option for students seeking future degrees in medicine, even if it's not human medicine. Veterinary medicine is the obvious choice for students who love and adore animals of all types.
Many may be surprised to see this degree on the list, however the reasoning for its belonging isn't as positive as the previous majors. According to the AVMA, there are a number of reasons why there may be a limited amount of students seeking a degree in Vet medicine, including:
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Declining incomes of veterinarians
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Continued consolidation in agriculture
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Changes in how animal procedures are financed
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Increases in veterinary student loan debt
Top of Future Degrees
