8 Useful College Degrees Employers Are Always Looking To Hire

College is a big investment that impacts your financial future and career path — which means you want to ensure it pays off by obtaining a degree employers look for when hiring.

Certain degrees will make it more likely for you to find a job with long-term stability and help you get ahead financially. They can help you land a job in fields with strong growth potential, broad applicability, and that are likely to thrive for years to come.

So, which degrees give you the best chance of securing a job in a growing industry? Here are eight of the most useful ones that employers will continue to hire for.

Editor’s note: Job growth projections and salary data are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Projected job growth rate: 6%

Businesses and individuals need someone to maintain their financial health and records and ensure they’re compliant with laws and regulations. This makes accounting popular with employers across various industries.

Individuals with an accounting degree master accounting principles, know how to manage financial records, and understand tax legislation. You could land a job as a tax consultant, auditor, or accountant and earn a median annual wage of $79,880.

Projected job growth rate: 5%

An economics degree is ideal for understanding economic theory and learning how to analyze issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. You can also expect to evaluate statistical data and learn how to handle economic challenges.

This degree offers job stability because it’s necessary for corporate and governmental structures. You may land a job as something like a financial analyst, a personal finance advisor, or an economist. As an economist, you can expect to earn a median annual wage of $115,730.

Projected job growth rate: 11%

Engineers are essential to many industries, so having a degree will make you stand out to employers. With a mechanical engineering degree, you’ll learn how to analyze, develop, and oversee the production of machines and mechanical devices, and you’ll understand new technologies and systems.

Not only will you be able to find a job as a mechanical engineer, which earns a median annual income of $99,510, but you could also apply to positions such as an aerospace and industrial engineer.

Projected job growth rate: 19%

Obtaining a supply chain management degree can help you seek out careers like logisticians (where you could earn a median annual wage of $79,400), supply chain managers, and operations managers, among others. These jobs are available across multiple industries, including e-commerce, retail, transportation, manufacturing, and more.

Employers need someone who can oversee the process of products going from supplier to consumer. It requires an understanding of inventory management, how to improve supply chains, and the ins and outs of logistics and transportation.

Projected job growth rate: 7%

Studying business administration means learning leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and strategy skills. You’ll also learn about project management, financial analysis, communication, and how to plan strategically.

Organizations across multiple industries — including finance, marketing, manufacturing, and tech — need strong leaders with related skills. Project management specialists are a popular career choice for those with a business administration degree, and you can expect to earn a median annual wage of $98,580.

Projected job growth rate: 8%

An online presence and digital platform are essential for businesses, so employers often look to hire marketing majors to create interest in their products.

Being able to identify potential markets, understand social media, and run data-driven campaigns can help you get hired and ensure long-term job stability. Marketing managers earn a median annual wage of $156,580.

With a marketing degree, you could find other jobs, such as a digital marketing manager, SEO specialist, social media strategist, or public relations specialist. Every industry needs marketing, which means you could work across multiple sectors.

Projected job growth rate: 26%

Those who obtain a computer science degree will learn programming, data analysis, and cyber security, among other transferable skills that allow for plenty of advancement opportunities. There’s high demand for someone with this degree across multiple industries, including finance, health care, tech, and entertainment.

Some jobs you could get include computer and information research scientists, where you’ll design computing infrastructure to solve problems and earn a median annual wage of $145,080. You may also consider jobs in software administration, web development, and more.

Projected job growth rate: 6%

The health care industry is continuously growing, and people will always need a professional to provide support to patients. This makes a degree in nursing useful. Becoming a nurse means entering a recession-resistant field, and you can anticipate long-term stability.

While earning this degree, you’ll learn medical knowledge, patient care, and clinical skills, along with health care management. You can expect to make an annual median wage of $86,070 as a registered nurse.

Choosing to pursue a handy and practical degree can help you obtain a long-term, stable job that allows you to live comfortably. Many of these degrees require skills that can be used in various positions and across multiple fields, giving you a good chance of securing a job you love.

Aside from jobs you need a degree for, you can also consider other ways to tap into a new source of income. Whether it’s entrepreneurship, passive income, or some other option, there are plenty of avenues to achieve flexibility and financial stability.