As the economy becomes more and more geared toward specialization, education becomes more important for those who want to make a good living in the modern world. While education in general is great for increasing your earning power, demand for certain skills makes some degrees more valuable than others.
Here are four of the hottest degrees that will allow you to fill in-demand, high-paying jobs over the next decade.
Healthcare Degrees
Though not one individual degree, the cluster of degrees focusing on healthcare provision and research are undeniably excellent choices for those who want to make great money in the coming years.
One of the best things about getting a degree in healthcare is that you don't need to become a doctor to make a great living as a medical professional. Nurse managers, for example, make an average salary of $81,000 per year. At present, there is a substantial shortage of nursing and healthcare managers, making this a great field to get into for anyone looking for a secure career.
Material Science
To facilitate advancing technology, scientists today routinely create new materials. These materials range in use from high-tech electronics to everyday construction projects. For those interested in the hard sciences and looking for a career with a huge amount of potential in the 21st century, a material science degree might be just the ticket.
Computer Science
By far the biggest difference between the modern age and any era that has come before it is the proliferation of computer technology. As a result, the demand for workers with computer science degrees has skyrocketed.
A degree in computer science can open doors into a wide range of different career paths, including data science and web development. For those who want to pursue high-level careers in computer technology, there are even several options to earn a master’s of computer science online available in the field.
Environmental Engineering
Caring for the environment has become a big business in and of itself. As such, engineers specially trained in minimizing environmental impacts are in high demand. Environmental engineers can be employed in everything from public waste treatment planning to private-sector environmental compliance.
These engineers have a specialized skill set that most ordinary engineering students don't acquire in their studies. This makes a degree in environmental engineering both a good guarantee of job placement and extremely lucrative.
Though there are many degrees that offer great career potential, these four are among the hottest at the moment. If you want to get into a steady, well-paying career that is suited to the economy of the 21st century, a degree program in any of these fields is an excellent place to start.
Ani Oaks is a freelance writer and web enthusiast. You can read some of her published work on her Google+ page.