2008 Woodie Awards
Major choice: money becomes more important than education
Ashley Bonora
Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
Some of the more popular major choices for college students are education, psychology and business. But if you are looking for a career with a strong pay-check, these are not the fields to study.
For years, the Princeton Review has been collecting data from colleges about their academic offerings. They ask colleges to "report not only which majors they offer to their undergraduates, but also to indicate which three majors have the highest undergrad enrollment," said a representative of the Princeton Review.
The 10 most popular undergraduate majors are Business Administration and Management, Psychology, Elementary Education, Biology, Nursing, Education, English, Communications, Computer Science, and Political Science.
But what degree is worth the most? The Class of 2007 is searching for jobs that they will profit well from.
"I am a math major; I plan on teaching, which does not make you much money at all. That is why I'm in it to help kids out, not in it for the money," said Adam Slater, junior, Willimgton. "If students are only in it for the money, it's sad. They obviously lack passion and will be miserable," said Rob Rood, junior, Shelton.
This year alone college graduates have an advantage over the prior class when it comes to the almighty paycheck. They are majoring in subject areas such as chemistry and engineering, which almost guarantees a successful career.
"Chemical, mechanical and civil engineers are seeing paychecks that are at least four percent higher. The same goes for aerospace and aeronautical engineering majors. Employers are paying nearly nine percent more in starting salaries," noted by CNN.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers, NACE conducted a quarterly survey to determine the highest paying majors. The NACE surveyed 83 private and state colleges nationwide, and found some interesting facts. They found that, "while computer science grads have had ever increasing salary offers, that streak ended this year with offers that were two percent less than a year ago."