4 Degrees with a Huge Bang for Your Buck

Everyone wants to make six figures right out of college, but actually finding these lucrative jobs is another matter. Here are just four degrees that will leave you primed to break into big-earning industries.

1. Advertising

The average cost of a four-year marketing degree is $50,000. The average salary of a marketer ranges from $90,000 to $120,000. This means you could repay all of your student loans in as little as a year or two, leaving you debt-free and accumulating serious money with each subsequent paycheck. You’ll have a good job market to look forward to as well: the advertising industry is projected to grow by 12 percent in the next decade.

2. Paralegal Services

Many people think of paralegals as little more than legal assistants, but the truth is that these professionals come highly-educated and much in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for paralegals are expected to grow 17 percent by 2022, which translates into more than 46,000 positions. If you’re looking for a master’s degree that will both prepare you for the law office and give you a nice return on your money, entering a GW paralegal degree program is the way to go.

3. Engineering

Engineering is very diverse field with dozens of different disciplines, but whether you’re looking at each industry individually or the field as a whole, it’s a degree that will pay you back in spades. The starting salary for a petroleum engineer is around $100,000, and the mid-career salary skyrockets to $160,000. Even aerospace engineering will eventually net you $120,000, and it’s one of the lowest earners in the field. If you have the skills and the smarts for a career in engineering, don’t hesitate to make it your calling.

4. Technical Writing

Everyone knows that English degrees aren’t huge moneymakers, but recent studies suggest that there might be something to them after all. Technical writing can earn you anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000 a year, and all you need is an Internet connection and a proficiency with the English language. If you’d like more preparation than that, you can also look into a two-year degree in technical communication, but they’re entirely optional.

From high salaries to great job markets, these are just four degrees that will pay off in a big way once you join the working world. While it’s important to follow your passions in college, it’s equally important to put food on the table!