Most students enroll in postsecondary programs with an eye toward employment prospects, even if many of them select degrees that correspond with their interests and academic passions. In addition to the courses required for their degree, students should consider the demand for and possible pay for related employment and internships while selecting a major.

A degree shows potential employers that you are a dedicated learner who can put in years of study to become an expert in a field. Additionally, it demonstrates to employers that you possess a wide range of employable abilities, including critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, time management, and more.

While some occupations may be more forgiving when it comes to admitting applicants without a degree, others may require one. On the other hand, a degree can lead to more employment options and help land a higher-paying position.

Here are some of the greatest and most in-demand college degrees, along with the academic requirements and predicted salaries for each. The Best College Reviews is the source of all the statistics seen below.

1. Engineering

Engineering professionals use principles of physics and mathematics to design buildings, vehicles, electronics, and other structures. In addition to technical knowledge, these individuals also possess excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Engineers can pursue a variety of specializations. Chemical engineers, for example, use their knowledge of chemistry to develop products like fuels and pharmaceuticals, while civil engineers design buildings and physical structures like dams and bridges.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for computer hardware engineers was $119,560 in May 2020. During that same period, the median salary for biomedical engineers was $92,620 per year.

2. Business

A broad field, business teaches students how to operate and grow business ventures through courses in business communications, risk management, and macroeconomics. Students can refine their studies through concentrations like entrepreneurship, finance, accounting, and undergraduate concentrations in business management.

An academic background in business can prepare graduates for an array of lucrative careers. According to the BLS, in May 2020 marketing managers earned a median annual salary of $141,490, financial analysts earned a median salary of $83,660, and top executives earned a median salary of $107,680.

3. Nursing

Nursing is one of the most in-demand majors in the healthcare field. Nurses administer medical care and assist during various procedures. They typically complete foundational courses like pathophysiology, microbiology, and human anatomy. They may also complete fieldwork hours to gain clinical experience.

According to the BLS, registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $75,330 in May 2020. Individuals who pursue a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing can become nurse practitioners. These professionals earned a higher median salary of $117,670 in May 2020.

The BLS projects that the number of roles for nurse practitioners will grow 45% between 2020 and 2030, far surpassing the average growth rate of 8% across all professions during that same period.

4. Hospitality

Hospitality managers oversee the operations of hotels, event spaces, and dining facilities. They often navigate high-pressure scenarios and must facilitate a collaborative environment, delegating work to individuals in service-oriented roles.

In May 2020, hospitality managers earned a median salary of $56,670 per year, while food service managers earned a median salary of $56,590, according to the BLS.

These professionals must have exceptional organization, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. While pursuing a hospitality bachelor’s degree, students may take courses in revenue management, risk management, and hospitality and tourism marketing.

5. Education

The BLS projects that by 2030, there will be 1,603,900 elementary school teachers and 1,077,000 secondary school teachers in the United States. As of May 2020, high school teachers earned a median salary of $62,870 per year, and elementary school teachers earned $60,660 annually.

Individuals pursuing a degree in education usually take foundational courses in child development and classroom management. Students also normally develop hands-on experience through student teaching. They often specialize in areas like special education or elementary education.

Individuals hoping to teach older students might train to teach specific subjects like history or science.

6. Computer Science

Students in this fast-growing discipline can focus their academic and career goals on areas like cybersecurity, information systems management, and software development. Learners may build an academic understanding through courses in cryptography and data mining.

Many computer science professionals earn a comfortable living. Computer programmers, for example, earned a median annual salary of $89,190 in May 2020, according to the BLS. Software developers earned a higher median salary of $110,140.

Demand for computer science professionals is projected to grow as technologies become more pervasive. Between 2020 and 2030, the BLS projects that jobs for software developers will grow 22%.

7. Architecture

Architects work closely with engineers and construction personnel to design public buildings, residences, and other structures. They may take courses in architectural theory, materials and design, and structures and computation. Architecture majors may be able to select concentrations like sustainability, urban works, or furniture design.

Architects may also specialize in landscape, commercial, residential, or industrial architecture. According to the BLS, architects earned a median annual salary of $82,320 in May 2020. Those employed by government agencies earned a median salary of $97,960.

8. Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmacists administer appropriate medications and monitor dosages to achieve optimal health outcomes. Often a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences is a precursor to a doctor of pharmacy. At the undergraduate level, students pursuing this role must take courses in biochemistry, human anatomy, and organic chemistry.

Read Also: Which Jobs Are Easy to Get in America?

According to the BLS, pharmacists earned a median annual salary of $128,710 in May 2020. Payscale reports clinical pharmacists earned an average of $119,650 per year in January 2022.

Those with a degree in pharmaceutical sciences may also pursue careers in areas like veterinary pharmacy, pharmaceutical research, and drug development.

9. Information Technology

A degree in information technology can prepare graduates for careers in systems management and technical communication. These individuals might specialize in data analytics in which professionals deduce usable information from raw data. They can also concentrate in cybersecurity, IT management, or the organization of IT staff, budgets, and projects.

The BLS projects that the number of IT occupations will grow 13% between 2020 and 2030, accounting for 667,600 new jobs. IT professionals earned a median annual income of $91,250 in May 2020.

Network and computer systems administrators earned a median of $84,810 per year, while information security analysts earned a median of $103,590 during the same period.

10. Construction Management

People with strong leadership and organizational skills may consider pursuing construction management. Generally speaking, construction managers oversee budgets, supervise workers, plan project timelines, and correspond with subcontractors and other specialists.

Students in construction may take courses in construction materials and methods, cost estimating and bidding, and construction accounting and finance.

According to the BLS, construction managers earned a median salary of $97,180 per year in May 2020. Graduates with a degree in this field may also work as building inspectors and cost estimators.

When choosing what you want to earn your degree in, you should consider careers and topics that genuinely interest you. The best measure of success is genuine passion and curiosity, but of course, it’s strategic to also consider the fields that are experiencing highest growth and will offer the most opportunities upon graduation so that you can land a job.

Most In-Demand Courses In USA For International Students

The majority of international applicants’ intended courses to study in the United States are offered on demand. A job in the USA is guaranteed after completing these courses. Because American educational institutions are among the most diverse in the world, there are opportunities for everyone to study any topic imaginable.

Every day, more and more educational courses become available. Still, this country is known for producing more proficient teachers in some courses than others. The majority of these courses are also available to you to study with the help of foreign student scholarships.

As we enumerate the most sought-after courses in the USA We will provide a selection of the best courses for international students that, once completed, will ensure you a job in the United States.

1. Data Science Courses

In recent years, data science has been acknowledged for the vast potential it offers. It is gradually coming to be recognized as a paradigm-shifting course that will be in high demand in ways that you cannot even begin to comprehend.

Data mining, information policy, quantitative analysis, mathematical modeling, data management, and trend spotting are just a few examples of the broad range of this field, and the US offers excellent platforms in the form of numerous colleges and universities where you can earn a degree in any of these fields.

2. Business Administration Courses

A business administration bachelor’s or master’s degree from one of the best US universities carries great prestige and is a significant boost to your resume. This enhances your chances of finding your ideal career anywhere in the globe. Even if the tuition for the same program is far pricier in the United States than in other foreign nations, if you work hard, the prospects it offers can more than make up for it.

The following are examples of popular business administration courses.

1. General management
2. Strategy
3. Consulting
4. Entrepreneurship
5. Business management
6. International business
7. E-business and e-commerce

The largest multinational corporations, including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Apple, among others, have their headquarters in this nation, providing plenty of room for student development and employment prospects.

3. Computer Science and Information Technology Courses

The United States has some of the most advanced technology in the world, which makes computer science and information technology (IT) courses extremely well-liked here. Students from all over the world apply to the aforementioned courses at some of the best-known universities, where they receive first-hand training from business moguls.

Since billionaires constantly make investments in this sector, expanding the range of employment, the IT business has always been thriving in the USA, creating a wealth of professional prospects.

4. Liberal Arts Courses

Liberal arts has a very broad scope and offers many excellent job prospects to those who want to take its courses. The following accredited liberal arts courses are offered in the USA by a large number of prestigious schools and universities.

1. Theatre
2. International relations
3. Sociology
4. Art history
5. Economics
6. Education
7. Psychology
8. Political science
9. Speech
10. Fine art

While bachelor’s degrees, which last four years, require you to choose a major and a minor, master’s degrees, which span anywhere from one to two years, are focused on a single area of study. The curriculum is set up to encourage students to combine their theoretical studies with fieldwork in order to hone their skills.

5. Engineering Courses

Without question, the engineering programs offered in the USA are of the highest caliber and are highly sought after by both domestic and foreign students. The many career chances in an area where hiring is rampant and placements are surging make this one of the most sensible selections for study. The following are some of the most well-liked engineering courses you may take:

1. Communication engineering
2. Aviation engineering
3. Drilling engineering
4. Sound engineering
5. Manufacturing engineering
6. Aircraft maintenance engineering
7. Software engineering
8. Automobile engineering
9. Construction engineering
10. Refrigerator and air conditioning engineering

A candidate must have taken chemistry, physics, and algebra in intermediate school with a good overall grade point average in order to pursue engineering degrees in the U.S

Which Study is Best For the Future in the USA?

Given that the US is home to the majority of the world’s best colleges, international students who want to study abroad typically select the US as their study destination. The United States is a leading player in the global education scene, enrolling more than 1.1 million international students. The greatest courses to study in the United States are business management, math, science, and engineering. Over time, these courses have remained the most sought-after disciplines for study.

It can be difficult to choose the ideal course of study in the United States. People may select the course based on their tastes as well as a number of other considerations. We’ll look at the top 3 US courses that offer high-paying employment prospects in the US and are popular with overseas students right now.

1. Business and Management

Business management stands out as the favored choice for Indian students among various fields in the USA, with over 20% of international students opting for related courses. The nation boasts a significant representation of universities in the top-tier rankings for business schools, as recognized by the Financial Times and The Economist. Impressively, five US business schools hold positions within the FT’s top 10 MBA programs. The names Harvard, Wharton, and Columbia alone stir excitement among international students aspiring to become future business leaders.

The USA, being the world’s largest economy, significantly contributes to the wealth of job opportunities available to students. This extends beyond the US market, as an MBA degree earned from a prestigious US institution becomes one of the highest-paying job prospects both nationally and internationally. These graduates are among the top paid professionals in the USA. Check out the popular business management fields mentioned below:

• Human Resource
• Banking and Insurance
• Finance
• Marketing & Sales
• Organisational Management
• Digital Marketing
• International Business

The mid-career wages for MBA graduates from institutions like Stanford are $200,287, while those from Harvard are $177,895. 

2. Engineering

Fields like engineering, take the lead as the preferred disciplines for Indian students seeking education in the USA, offering not only the best courses but also the most financially rewarding careers. Engineering holds a significant position and is among the highest-paying professions in the country. When considering student enrolment figures, international engineering students come second only to those pursuing business-related courses.

Similar to business schools, the USA excels in engineering education, boasting the largest representation of engineering colleges within the top 10 rankings by QS. Notably, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) enjoys worldwide acclaim as the foremost destination for engineering studies, consistently holding the pinnacle of ranking lists.

Undoubtedly, engineering stands out as one of the highest-paying professions not just within the USA but globally as well. Specializations such as civil and mechanical engineering are particularly lucrative, offering some of the most substantial salaries in the field. Check out the popular engineering fields mentioned below:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Engineering Management

The mid-career wages for Engineering graduates from institutions like Stanford are $156,500, while those from MIT, are $167,200.

3. Mathematics and Computer Sciences

Math and Computer Science, significant subsets of the STEM domain, notably draw a substantial number of international students, coming right after the business and engineering fields.

Consequently, the collective influence of STEM fields constitutes a notable 30% of the total international student population in the USA, solidifying their status as the preeminent courses and highest-paying career paths within the nation. Recognized institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard hold distinguished positions as top-tier destinations for both Mathematics and Computer Science studies.

Moreover, opting for education at US universities presents an added advantage: ample opportunities for engaging in research endeavors within the country, further enhancing the academic experience. Check out the popular Math and Computer Science fields mentioned below:

• Computer Engineering
• Cyber Security
• Database Administration
• Information Technology
• Software Engineering
• Web Development
• Pure Mathematics
• Applied Mathematics
• Computational Mathematics
• Algebra and Number Theory

The mid-career wages for Computer Science majors from institutions like Stanford are $ 183,100, and from UCB is $181,100.

The mid-career wages for Mathematics majors from institutions like Harvard are $205,600, and from MIT is $ 158,900.

Bottom line

International students pursuing different courses in the USA have a range of job opportunities available to them. Particularly, fields such as Medicine, Business Management, Computer Engineering, and IT are highly favored. The healthcare sector is projected to experience a 15% growth in employment between 2019 and 2029, making it a promising option for those completing their studies in the US. Additionally, careers in IT and management are also expected to see a notable rise of 10%-15%.