Updated at: 28-02-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Do you hope to pursue higher education? Do you want to study something boring or useless when you grow up? You’ve found the proper location! This article lists the top 20 degree programs that are both enjoyable and financially rewarding.

Keep in mind that more than half of all bachelor’s degree holders will have to settle for jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree when making your decision.

To maximize the return on your college investment, select a major that both piques your interest and offers ample employment prospects upon graduation.

Those of you still in high school and mulling over potential majors for college might be wondering how to make learning feel less like work and more like an adventure. In reality, even “fun” majors can be intellectually challenging and frequently pay very well.

You can make sure that your time in college is both rewarding and enjoyable by studying one of the following interesting and rewarding fields of study.

Top Fun College Majors That Pay Well

Top fun college majors that pay well

Software Developer

Software Developer

You should seriously consider this major if you thrive in an independent work environment. Working as a software developer can take you anywhere from an office to a cubicle farm to a home office, and while you might start out in an office, you’ll likely find yourself working independently and independently of others. Seeing the inner workings of a computer system without actually working on the device itself can be fascinating, even if there are some days when getting the details right is necessary to complete a software program or figure out why something isn’t working as it should. Those around you are likely to respect you for the meticulous nature of the work you do in this line of work. The major can help you reach your career goals, whether you want to be a senior in the development industry, a successful designer, or either. One possible example is a person who makes video games. The goal of this field is to create a game that will appeal to as many people as possible by taking into account their preferences as gamers. The best part is getting to test out the games before they are officially released. Following graduation, a new software developer’s salary can be anywhere from $68,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on the developer’s experience, the company they work for, and other factors.

Librarian

When deciding on a major, it may be helpful to find one that is peaceful and provides access to the most recent reading materials. One’s place of employment as a librarian is not limited to either a large public library or a small school library. You can choose to work in the children’s section or the reference section of a library, for example, depending on your interests and the types of readers you enjoy assisting. You won’t have to worry about the pressures of working in a crowded office or juggling a long list of tasks every day like you might if you have a career that requires extreme attention to detail. A librarian’s duties may include reading to children who come in and assisting students with their assignments. You can also guide people to the perfect book by asking them about their interests. One perk of working in a library is getting advance copies of new releases and hearing from authors about their work before it’s available to the public. Summer reading programs for kids and book clubs for adults are just two examples of the kinds of events you can help organize at your local library. When patrons bring books to the circulation desk, librarians are responsible for checking them out, as well as assisting those who are using the library’s computers for research but may need assistance if they are unfamiliar with the system. The average annual salary for this book-focused profession is around $67,000, or more in larger cities.

Astronomer

Studying the stars is fascinating, which makes astronomy a great potential major. Although it involves observing the sky and its stars, planets, and other features, it goes into a little more depth. Observing space objects in motion, star formation and evolution, and the discovery of previously unknown planets are all fascinating possibilities. To ensure that your fellow astronomers can read and understand your findings, you’ll need to meticulously document your work. This is a job that requires you to put in some late nights in exchange for clearer skies. Working in this field can be exciting and surprising because you never know what you’ll see that other people won’t. Alternately, you could experiment with the various properties of matter and observe their interplay, just as you would if you were looking at the stars. The formation and degeneration of various energy forms can be studied. Many people would like to observe the night sky but lack the knowledge to do so properly. You can help organize a viewing event for the telescopes if there is a special event, like a meteor shower. You might be the one to provide the information that leads to a major announcement, informing your fellow astronomers or even NASA employees of something they need to know. You could make around $120,000 annually working as an astronomer.

Journalist

Journalist

A career in journalism, whether on television or in print, is exciting because its practitioners are constantly immersed in the events they cover. Most of the time, you will be informed of all the relevant specifics before they are made public. Using editing, you can ensure that news stories are presented accurately and include all relevant details without inciting unnecessary alarm. Once you have all the information for a story, you can write an article for a newspaper or magazine. You can also be a TV anchor and present those details from behind a desk. Journalism is a viable major for those who wish to enter the workforce and travel as part of their job. You’ll be able to interact with the characters in the stories because of how immersed you’ll be in the action. While the majority of stories will be upbeat and full of good news, there may be a few that will break your heart or move at a breakneck pace and require your full attention. This is what makes going to work every day so exciting, because you never know what you’ll be doing. Depending on experience and specialty, a journalist can earn anywhere from $75,000 to $100,000 per year.

Astrobiology

To put it simply, studying astrobiology is a rewarding and entertaining endeavor. Astrobiologists are scientists who investigate the beginnings and development of the cosmos, life, Earth, and other planets. This is a rapidly expanding industry that offers numerous opportunities for college grads.

Changing your major to the exciting field of astronomy is as simple as enrolling in introductory courses. This could be a great fit for you if you are good with numbers and enjoy the scientific process. Even if you don’t think chemistry or physics is where your passion lies, you can always find work in a related field.

More money than ever is being poured into research, meaning that those who enter this field will continue to find excellent job prospects and rising salaries.

Fermentation Science

Getting a degree in fermentation science is a blast and may lead to a lucrative career. Beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages, as well as bread, cheese, and yogurt, are just a few of the many products that benefit from the fermentation process.

Students in the field of Fermentation Science typically learn their trade by serving as an apprentice or intern under seasoned brewers or distillers in the industry. Graduates with excellent verbal and written communication skills and solid critical thinking abilities are in high demand for jobs like these.

Graduating students in Fermentation Science may be qualified for positions such as brewing supervisor, brewery lab manager, sensory analyst, or brewer at a research brewery.

Paper Engineering

Paper Engineering

A degree in paper engineering is entertaining and can pay off handsomely. The average salary for a paper engineer is $80,000 per year due to the high demand for their services.

Gaining expertise in the properties of various papers is possible with a degree in paper engineering. Designing paper goods like stationery and greeting cards is another skill you’ll pick up.

You’ll need to earn an Associate’s Degree from a recognized school if you want to study this field.

Courses like “Introduction to Paper Engineering” and “Fundamentals of Graphic Design” and “Design for Print Media” are staples of paper engineering curricula. Associate degree programs can range from two to four years in length, depending on the institution.

The vast majority of college graduates with a degree in paper engineering work in the graphic arts industry, either as designers or art directors.

Think about majoring in paper engineering if you want to make money doing something that isn’t really work.

Golf Course Management

The management of golf courses is a popular choice for college study. Getting to spend so much time in nature makes this a rewarding field of study. Pay is good, especially considering that golf courses are among the most numerous businesses in the United States. Course superintendents and golf pros earn a median salary of about $43,000 per year. Fortunately, many professionals in the golf industry earn much more than that, and other opportunities are readily available. Perhaps this is the degree you’ve been looking for if you want to have some fun while furthering your education and make a decent living.

Dental Hygienist

Consider becoming a dental hygienist if you enjoy interacting with people on a one-on-one basis in a cozy office setting. Depending on your pace, you could graduate from this major in two years if you attended a community college. You can make a living helping people by assisting dentists, rather than having to learn to perform all of the dentist’s complex procedures yourself. To the contrary, you’ll have the chance to converse with patients and get to know them while imparting valuable dental health knowledge. Working with children usually entails perks like watching TV with patients while they get their teeth cleaned or being surrounded by brightly colored characters and whimsical decor.

You will be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, and conducting a basic oral examination prior to the dentist’s arrival. Since a bachelor’s degree in this field can be earned in just two years, it’s a good option for degree holders who are looking for a career change. Working hours are typically Monday through Friday, leaving the weekend free for you to relax and spend time with loved ones.

Earnings in this field can approach $90,000 annually depending on factors such as location and employer type. Even though this may not sound like a fun profession, working with children can provide a lot of variety and a lively environment.

Herbal Science

Herbal Science

A degree in Herbal Science is a pleasant choice that also offers good financial prospects. Tinctures, oils, balms, and other medicinal plant preparations can all be studied by students. Herbalists can find employment in a variety of settings, including medical facilities, residential care facilities, and hospices. Herbal remedies learned in school can be sold by students through the establishment of their own businesses.

Herbalism may not seem like a particularly rigorous field of study, but it is important to note that it is considered by some experts to be one of the highest paying fields of study. Herbalists make between $38,000 and $74,000 per year on average, with some making well over $100,000.

Radiology Technician

Choose radiology technology as your field of study if you enjoy learning about and observing novel phenomena on a daily basis. Similar to the previous degree, this one can be earned in about 24 months. Possible places of employment range from hospitals to laboratories specializing in ultrasound technology. To keep patients’ minds off the scan, professionals in this field are often allowed to engage them in conversation about their symptoms, the reason for the test, or other topics relevant to their daily lives.

You want to be able to reassure your doctor before they see the scan, but you also don’t want to give too much away about the diagnosis. The ability to study the human body from the inside without resorting to invasive procedures makes this an excellent major. You’ll also be in a position to share joyous information with people at pivotal moments, like revealing a newborn’s gender. The median salary is just over $75,000. This job may be quiet during the day, but it’s rewarding because of the instruments you use and the internal workings of the human body you get to observe.

FAQs

How do I pick from so many cool majors?

It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed by all the wonderful possibilities before you, but try not to worry too much. It is perfectly normal to go through a period of indecision about what you want to major in during college. Exploration refers to the process by which many students take classes in a variety of disciplines before committing to a single major. Why not try enrolling in a few courses of interest and seeing what happens? If you don’t feel like you’re getting what you want out of a particular class, don’t be afraid to switch to something else until you do.

How much does it cost to go through college with a fun major?

While the exact figure will vary from school to school, it is typically much cheaper than getting a “regular” degree. There are often financial aid opportunities available to students at universities who are studying less conventional subjects.

Core classes or electives should I take first?

It is up to you to decide which courses interest you most as you search for a rewarding college major. Taking some introductory courses before diving into electives can be helpful if you’re thinking about pursuing a major in a particular field because you find it interesting. If you’re considering a major in art, for instance, taking a few painting courses will prepare you for the more advanced work required for your degree. This is the case with any field that calls for deeper comprehension than simple interest or curiosity.

Conclusion

It’s normal to enter college without a firm grasp on what you want to do with your life. There are countless fields of study that can provide you with a stable income and a chance to improve people’s lives. While it’s true that some of these fields of study can be dull and lead to a career where you spend your days in an office, others can actually pave the way to a fulfilling and interesting profession that you’ll look forward to going to every day.

If you need help determining which major would be the most rewarding for you in terms of your interests and personality, you should talk to a guidance counselor at your school.