Hollywood, MD – Choosing a college is hard enough, but choosing a major can be an even more complicated process. You want to do something you care about, yet, you want to be able to make a living off of all that hard work. Below are some great options and the most lucrative from a bevy of choices.

#5 – Finance
Starting salary: $50,900
Mid-career salary: $89,300
Annual online job postings: 1,029,020
Best related job: Financial Analyst
Projected 10-year job growth: 16.0%

By studying economics, statistics and calculus ahead of time in high school, going into this college degree can prove to be very successful and lucrative. Once in college, add accounting, financial markets and investing to your class schedule and you should come out on top of this market.

#4 – Economics
Starting salary: $51,400
Mid-career salary: $97,700
Annual online job postings: 799,117
Best related job: Economist
Projected 10-year job growth: 15.3%

This line of work usually ends up with the federal government as the end game but other options financial managers, purchasing agents and data analysts. In college, the focus classes are ideally math, statistics and other quantitative studies.

#3 – Software Engineering
Starting salary: $61,700
Mid-career salary: $99,800
Annual online job postings: 735,513
Best related job: App Developer
Projected 10-year job growth: 23.4%

Computer positions are expected to grow 18.4% by 2024 so it’s a highly growing and quick-paced career track, which is no surprise. Technology-focused classes, such as computer science and programming courses, are vital to this degree that can easily be studied in high school and segued into college. This is definitely a degree and profession of the future.

#2 – Management Information Systems
Starting salary: $56,300
Mid-career salary: $95,500
Annual online job postings: 2,306,724
Best related job: Computer and Information Systems Manager
Projected 10-year job growth: 16.7%
Information systems focuses on the study of implementing technology within a company or organization. Many employers prefer candidates with MBAs but with a bachelor’s, you can break into the field as a computer systems analyst and still make a large salary.

#1 – Computer Science

Starting salary: $61,600  

Mid-career salary: $103,600 

Annual online job postings: 1,874,509

Best related job: Computer and Information Research Scientist
Projected 10-year job growth: 15.9%

The most lucrative college degree is difficult yet in high demand and financially stable. Computers are not going anywhere anytime soon so it’s no surprise that this one tops the list. If you have the brain and the drive to accomplish this degree, you’ll own one of the more prestigious degrees available.

Citation: http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T012-S001-best-college-majors-for-your-career-2015-2016/index.html