There are lots of factors for students to consider when choosing their college major.
Earlier this year, the Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce reviewed job prospects by major, listing fields that had the highest and lowest unemployment rates.
Then there is salary. Those who study engineering, computer/mathematics, and business have higher lifetime earnings than those in psychology/counseling, education, or human services, according to another Georgetown study.
Now PaysScale, a salary website, has posted a list of the majors where the students feel like they are changing the world. On the Majors That Change the World, many are in health care and education. The top fields that lead to meaningful work, according to PayScale:
1. Nursing
2. Special Education
3. Medical Technology
4. Biomedical Engineering
5. Athletic Training (tie)
Social Work
Child and Family Studies
8. Dietetics
9. Biblical Studies (tie)
10. Elementary Education (tie)
Public Health
Petroleum Engineering
Health Care Administration
The list contains more than 100 additional careers. It is based on a PayScale survey of full-time employees who have a bachelor’s degree (no higher) and have majored in the subjects listed.