The median college graduate makes 68% more than the median high school graduate, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for everyone to go to college. If you don’t choose the right major, you could end up with a mountain of student loan debt and no increase in earning potential. The landscape of college is constantly shifting, and we’ve seen major changes with the rise of AI, with some traditionally great majors now not looking so attractive. If you are considering attending college in 2026 or beyond, here are some of the top college majors worth considering.
1. Medical field
Going into the medical field often requires more than a four-year degree, but even with the extra time spent in school, the return on investment can be well worth it. If you plan on going to medical school, typical pre-med majors include biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. After you complete your undergraduate education, some of the best-paying careers are physician, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and dentist. You can expect to make well into the six-figures once you are working in your field of study.
2. Biology
Not only does a biology major open the door to go into the medical field, biology-related careers can be lucrative. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the median biology major makes $75,000, and a large portion do end up in the medical field. Common careers for those with a biology major that don’t require any education beyond college include lab technician, forensic scientist, biotech consultant, and microbiologist.
3. Business
Business and finance-related majors remain some of the most attractive options for college students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in business and financial occupations make median annual wages of $80,920, significantly higher than the overall median wage of $49,500. Common career paths in business and finance include accountant, compliance officer, financial analyst, insurance underwriter, and, yes, financial advisor.
4. Architecture and Engineering
If you are looking for a career path with a high earning potential that is expected to grow significantly over the next decade, engineering or architecture could be worth considering. Median wages for those in architecture and engineering-related careers are $97,310, with many occupations making well over six figures. The field is also projected to grow more quickly than average over the next decade, so if you place a great deal of importance on job security, engineering or architecture could provide that for you.
5. Computer Science
Computer and information technology careers are currently in a unique spot. If you look at median wages (currently at $105,990) and potential growth of the field (projected to grow much faster than average, according to the BLS), it seems like a no-brainer choice for a college major. However, computer science may be the field most prone to disruption by AI. We are already seeing evidence of shifting tides: computer science and computer engineering majors have some of the highest unemployment rates for recent grads, at 7.8% for computer engineering and 7.0% for computer science. To put that in context, the other majors with similarly high levels of unemployment for recent grads are anthropology at 7.9% and fine arts at 7.7%.
Even if you are fortunate enough to find a job right out of college, you may be forced to take an offer for less money or you may have less job security. This field will undoubtedly change significantly in the coming years, and a successful career path in computer science may look much different in the future than it does now. It is certainly still a path worth considering, but do so with an eye towards the future.
Is college worth it?
In previous articles, I’ve done the math and found that for college to be “worth it,” you need to make an extra $14,640 per year with your college degree. This is based on the average cost of attending college and the opportunity cost of money spent getting your education. College graduates earn an extra $32,112 per year on average, so based on those two numbers, we can likely say that most people that go to college are making the correct decision. However, that does not mean going to college is the right decision for you.
There are plenty of high-paying jobs available to those who do not attend college, and plenty of college degrees have low starting wages. You can be financially successful and build wealth whether or not you attend college, but college could make your path to success easier. If you do attend college, do it right: attend an in-state school whenever possible to save on tuition, apply for as much financial aid and as many scholarships as you can, and choose your major based on not only earning potential, but what you think you can successfully (and happily) do for the rest of your life.
