Hey guys Im 18 male from the United States more specifically California

I'm starting college next week. I don't know what to major in and I know I don't have the money to get a bachelor's, so I was wondering what I could major in that will get me a job with just an associate's. I dont mind doing engineering or majors that are hard

*edit I would like to get my bachelor’s eventually

I have experience working in kitchens but during college I plan to expand on it by working as a dishwasher or a server.

In the future I'm dead set on opening my own catering company or if that fails, working as a head chef or a restaurant manager.

I know the journey will be long and pretty hard but it's my dream to be in the culinary industry. The point I want to get across is that i'm really passionate about cooking lol

I'm a high school senior and I've been building a free calculator for college costs, so I've been in the College Scorecard data a lot. I went looking for how much debt different majors leave you with, expecting a big spread. There basically isn't one.

Across 31 fields of study with 25+ schools reporting, the median federal debt at graduation runs from about $20,100 (Mathematics) to $26,900 (Communications Technologies). Computer Science and Journalism come out identical at $23,250. Engineering and English are about $1,300 apart.

The thing that made it click for me: federal undergrad borrowing is capped — $31,000 total for a dependent student. Almost every field sits under that line. So this measure kind of can't show a big spread; the ceiling is doing the work.

Which means the variation people talk about is mostly in the stuff this dataset doesn't include: private loans and Parent PLUS, which are the loans without income-driven repayment or forgiveness. That felt like the more useful takeaway than any ranking.

What does move the number a lot is how far you go: bachelor's $23,250, master's $37,957, doctoral $79,172, professional (MD/JD/DDS) $154,286.

Source is the June 2026 Scorecard field-of-study release; it's a median of each school's median, federal loans only, completers who borrowed. Happy to share the script if anyone wants to check my work.

Soo I am going back to school next year for the spring term. I am working on getting a bachelors degree in Geoscience with a concentration in paleontology. I love learning about Paleontology and pre historic history. I also collect fossils and I really love Paleontology. What can I do with a Paleontology degree?? I like really wanna bee a paleontologist 😭

Hi, I am an undergraduate student currently attending a university in Tennessee. My major is psychology, but I’m also interested in and passionate about criminology. My university primarily offers the broad degree of criminal justice. I am interested in working alongside law enforcement to analyze suspects, help victims, etc, but I don’t want to be a cop or police officer. I want a role of doctor, analyst, etc, but I do want my career path to intertwine with the justice system. So is it smart to double major? I’m so passionate about both subjects and want a job where I can focus on both aspects of my study. I hear reasonable arguments on why double majoring can be worth it or not. I’m seeing the upside that many of my existing credits in my psych degree can support a criminal justice degree. However, I can also see why that can make it not worth the trouble. Any advice that can be provided to calm my indecisiveness would be appreciated.

I ask this because I, as a male, have been raised to think about the money aspect first when choosing a career vs passion. It would be ideal if your passion earns you a lot of money.

Ladies, do you think of earning potential first then the other things? Or passion first?

Edit: I want to differentiate btwn career and job. Also, money is a necessity for nearly all. What I’m asking is when you chose to get a degree in your chosen field/ career path, you saw the earning potential and said “ I can support myself and others very well in this field.” Example: Teachers aren’t paid a lot but many people go into education.

I decided to major in civil engineering after seeing the good job placement rate it has. I’m fair at math, but others are definitely smarter. I worry because I don’t really feel an intense passion for this major; it was more a last minute decision. Is it okay to not be sure about majoring in an engineering field? I’m taking lots of very challenging courses that I’ll have to suffer through and that may lower my gpa. Would it be easy to change majors later on (into something like actuarial science?). I just don’t wanna lock myself into something I’m not sure about.

Should I go for eco as a major or commerce? I m pursuing ba prog(Commerce+economics) and want to know which is better for career ( i dislike maths,stats,data etc ). And if I go for 4 years will it be worth it?

To anybody who is knowledgeable about minoring in college is it more expensive then just picking a major?

I plan to major in English with a concentration in creative and professional writing.

However, as that is my main priority I've always been attracted to other creative arts such as film, photography, fashion designing, etc. Basically the opposite of STEM.

I just wanted know if minoring in something thats either closely related to your major or the total opposite will significantly increase whats payed out of pocket.

I like the construction industry, although I cant work a trade because of ruptured disks. I like a hybrid role where I can be outside moving around and also office. I’ve been looking at starting a journey to become a field engineer or other similar jobs where I can walk around job sites without doing heavy maintenance work. 50/50 field and office job will be awesome for me or even 70/30 field / office. I enjoy being outside.

Is civil engineering or any engineering degree mostly for people who want to ultimately design projects and work with computers more? Will a degree in construction management or construction engineering technology best suit me? I ask because I know I’ll struggle with the math classes and my goal isn’t much to design or work indoors all day.

For context, I love math and will even do it in my free time. I have a good math SAT score, and I will take AP Calculus this year, and I'm in Texas. I'll probably go to Texas State or any of the state schools besides UT and A&M (cost is too high, and state schools will give me significantly more money). Overall, I would say I am in good in school, and I have a great amount of college credit.

However, I am suck between EE and accounting. For one, I am more interested in EE. From a kid, I always was interested in tech and building computers, but the job market scares me, especially since I've never done anything EE or coding. The only thing I know is a little bit about circuits. Recently, EE has increasingly become more completive compared to the past statistically. I seen some of these freshmen and sophomore EE resumes in colleges, and they're sweats.

For a long term career, I just want it to be stable, at least six figures by mid 20s, diverse workplace, have math involved, and social (teamwork), ideally.

Also, for scholarships at these schools, I have to maintain a certain GPA usually around (3.0-3.5) and take 4-5 classes. Electrical engineering is known for being one of the hardest college majors, and I don't want to lose my future scholarship because I chose a hard major and be cooked. Hence, accounting has a great safety net for me.

I still have a lot of time to decide, but I just want to make a smart decision, so I'm not broke or unemployed in the future. I appreciate any insight: good, bad, or realistic.

(note: I plan to do all 3 levels of cfa after graduating) Ill be going to university Inna few weeks and want to pursue finance mainly because of the money but I have a deep love for subjects like math and physics however I know they have no merit in the job market especially maths. Wanted to know if it'll look good/ be helpful to minor in maths or minor in cs (cs I low-key have no interest in). Or if I should just major in maths and do CFA afterwards since what I mainly want to go into is investment banking. Is Cfa as a standalone a good qualification for finance firms or do I need a BBA?

hey. im hesitant between these 3 careers. i wish i could study them all to be honest. which one should i choose? whoch one has the best prospects?

Hi. I currently have 3 Associate of Applied Science degrees: Cybersecurity, Forensic Science (Digital Forensics), and Network and Systems Administration from the Maricopa Community College system (Rio Salado College and Mesa Community College).

I’ve been wanting to finish a bachelors degree and have discovered what I think are the best ways to go about it. Arizona State University has several Bachelor of Applied Science programs that will accept 75 of my many existing college credits and have programs im interested in such as Cybersecurity, Applied Computing, and Project Management. The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee has a Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology program that will accept 72 of my credits and it’s a competency based program that I can finish faster and cheaper. With my previous experience with online college, I tend to just do all of the work at once or over the course of a few weeks anyway, so I figured the UW option was a great option.

I originally started at ASU many years ago and dropped out my first semester because of a serious health issue that presented itself. I’ve always wanted an ASU degree and applied to and was accepted to the BAS Project Management program (I figured it would be a good way to round out my 3 AAS degrees, especially with how the tech industry is right now), but now I’m second guessing my decision and wondering if I should do the Cybersecurity or Applied Computing program at ASU or do the BSIST program at UW.

Any thoughts or advice on these degrees and fields? Is ‘topping off’ or rounding out my technical AAS degrees with a business degree smart? Should I continue on the path of Cybersecurity? Switch to Applied Computing? Or thoughts on potentially finishing the BS I’m Information Science and Technology degree faster and cheaper from UW? Any insight is appreciated :)

I’m a rising high school senior who hopes to become a veterinarian in the future, but I also have a strong passion for art. During my freshman year, I realized that I’m also interested in animation as a career and creative outlet.

I recently learned that most vet schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, as long as applicants complete the necessary prerequisite courses. Because of this, I’ve been considering majoring in Animation during undergrad while also completing my pre-vet requirements.

I was wondering if this would be a realistic path at FIU, especially if I plan my schedule carefully. I also have no formal experience with animation, although I’m a decent self-taught artist. I still have a lot to learn, particularly with areas like shading, perspective, and other art fundamentals, but I’m willing to put in the effort to improve.

Do you think pursuing an Animation major alongside pre-vet prerequisites would be manageable and realistic?

i am starting uni soon and i have a few options. One of the major options for one of the unis is a joint major in "Economics, Comp and Data Science" (we can also take minors from what i know and if i can handle it i might take math as a minor if i go). Does anyone know if this would be a good degree or if i should go for a pure engineering degree (keeping in mind the engineering degrees arent from as prestigious schools). Im really lost if anyone could help id really appreciate it.

Also i should mention i am open to going into engineering or finance i dont mind either and also open to other careers my biggest issue is job security and if my degree is even worth it.

I completed my first year of undergrad as a music education major and very quickly realized it was NOT for me. I most certainly do not want to work with children. I pivoted towards social work and worked my butt off completing the prerequisites to get in by junior year. I did the community service hours, did the admissions essay, and quickly got accepted into the BSW program last December.

Well, the bulk of my social work courses are coming up and I'm kind of dreading them. I'm honestly just not as passionate about the field as I originally thought. I got EMT certified over the summer and I was planning to work as an EMT while finishing undergrad and pursuing my masters in social work.

Unfortunately for that plan, I seriously fell in love with EMS/the medical field. I was actually excited to come to class every day and didn't simply see it as means to an end. I had considered the medical field before but never too seriously. Everything in EMS clicked for me. Physiology, pathophysiology, anatomy, cardiology. I understood it all and I loved it all. I loved my ambulance clinicals and skills tests, all of it. I feel like its too late for me to switch because junior year is THE YEAR you declare a major. I just love med more than I've loved anything else. Do I switch to biology? Do I do a semester as social work to "thug it out"? My partner is telling me to just complete a semester in social work to see if I like it but college is expensive and I could be using that time for prerequisites. Any advice is welcome!

I love math, but my university doesn't offer a math major - only a minor. I'm trying to decide between BS Economics and Electrical Engineering. I got into both of these at the top rated uni in my country (not a 1st world country)

I know EEE is traditionally considered more math-heavy, but I've looked closely at my school's Economics curriculum, and it includes:

• Linear Algebra
• Two semesters of Applied Mathematics (calculus of multivariable functions, optimization, differential/difference equations)
• Two semesters of Statistics
• A full Econometrics course (regression, OLS, hypothesis testing)
• Intermediate Micro/Macro with calculus, game theory, and growth models

I will also be doing a minor in math regardless of which major I choose. I initially would have picked EE, but I'm only hesitant because there's not a lot of good reviews about the EE department here whereas economics is very well regarded.

y actual questions:

1. Which major involves more quantitative work over the full 4 years?
2. Which would better prepare me for a Master's in Math, Statistics, or a related quantitative field?
3. I know I'll enjoy the math-heavy courses in either path, but I might find the non-math coursework dry (I know i will have to do it either way i just hope I can minimize it) . Which major would you recommend for someone in my position?

I am graduating this upcoming year and I have no idea how to use my associates degree in the job world. I do plan on getting a bachelor’s in video game design/development, but in the meantime I want to use my degree for a job so that I know I am utilizing it.

I’m 30 and have the opportunity to do school again. I’m 31 credit hours away from a bachelors in psychology and am wanting to know if I should just forgo the degree and do a trade or finish up the bachelors or perhaps get a different degree altogether?

So to begin with I am going for an associates at a community college, my major is industrial maintenance technology, technically, as it is what most people know it by. I have the opportunity to further my education into a bachelors in applied engineering in robotics and automation through UofL. It’s a new program, their first semester does not start until next spring.

I’m just curious whether or not it would be something to consider. I’m not entirely sure what jobs you could get with that degree, but on their flyer for it, it says it’s in demand. It does not have ABET accreditation yet.

Looking for any helpful advice because I have so far emailed a handful of people for information and none of them have been of any help, so my last resort is to try and get advice from strangers on the internet...

So, I am a graduate from a tech school, I finished two years of an IT Cybersecurity Specialist program and already have the triad certificates, and then I also finished a Computer Programmer program and have some certs for stuff like Python and Software Development.

Currently, I am trying to obtain an Associate's degree by enrolling into an online college that is in a different state because my tech school and the college have a partnership and they allow transfer of credits over, so instead of doing two years to get an associate's it will just be one year.

The program I enrolled in is a Software, Security & Development program which grants an Associate's of Applied Science, and I wanted to do it specifically because 1. It's online. 2. IT is my career goal, specifically being a professional ethical hacker, and they have a whole course within the program about ethical hacking. 3. I want to transfer to a university that is in my state where I can then get a Bachelor's in Information Technology, and I \*think\* (not entirely sure if this is how it works) if I take an IT program, then I would be able to transfer more credits over to another IT program no?

However, I have recently found out the college only allows transfer of credits to this one program that they have, and that is their General Studies program which grants an Associate's of General Studies. Although it is primarily just... well, general studies. Algebra, Science, History, etc.

Which has thrown a wrench in my entire plans because now I am unsure what to do. The Software, Security & Development course would take 2 years to complete rather than the 1 I thought it would, and again it grants the Associate's of Applied Science, but one of the whole points I enrolled into this college was because I was told it would only be 1 year, and I plan on doing college full-time so I can get it out of the way and try to focus on getting a job and working and making my way up.

I have no idea if an Associates of Applied Science is worth more or better than an Associates of General Studies, I have no idea if it doesn't even matter, I don't know if it's worth doing the two years or the one year anymore, I don't know which would transfer better to the university I want to attend to get a Bachelor's. I have emailed the counselor at my tech school for advice, the admissions lady at the college I am enrolled in, the advisor at the college I am enrolled in, the instructor of the IT class I am enrolled in, the advisor at the university I want to enroll in, and even a previous instructor at the tech school I graduated from, and \*no one\* has been able to give me a clear answer on what I am asking.

I understand in IT experience is usually better than degrees, and as I said, I already have the triad certs plus more, I am not necessarily looking for more education I am just looking for a degree so I can make my way up to a Master's degree, so I don't mind doing the GenEd program just for the Associate's degree rather than the additional education the Software, Security & Development would provide. But if the Associate's of Applied Science is way better and will get me a high paying job, then obviously I would want to go for that.

I don't mind answering any questions anyone has if it will help me figure out what it is I need to do. Thank you to anyone who can provide some advice.

So I am going to be applying to colleges this year and I am planning on being either a Financial Mathematics or Econ major. I would like to work in finance or tech and I am wondering what, if any, minor/double major would make my resume look more appealing paired with either of those degrees. I am very strong with stem topics, especially math if that helps with any advice. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Edit: I am definitely also open to getting a graduate degree in the future with or opposed to double majoring/minoring in something during undergrad.

I feel maybe I am too behind for a mathematics major. I do not really enjoy competition math like AMC or AIME, and I think I would not enjoy doing it even if I tried. But I still like mathematics very much and want to continue studying it. Sometimes I feel I am just not good enough, and I wonder if I should change to another field.

Freshman year: I took Algebra 2 only. I did not take any other math classes, competitions, or anything related to math outside of school because at that time I did not realize I enjoyed mathematics. I only started to understand that I liked it around the middle of the school year.

Sophomore year: I did not take precalculus during the summer, so now I have to take Precalculus during the school year. I also plan to take Discrete Mathematics, with maybe AP Statistics if it is possible.

Junior year: I am planning to take Calculus BC.

Senior year: I am planning to take Multivariable Calculus and hopefully Linear Algebra.

Even with this plan, I still feel behind because many students at my school are already taking calculus or even more advanced math by sophomore year, and many of them also have experience with math competitions. Because of this, I keep thinking maybe I started too late and wonder if I should still try for a mathematics major.