You may already be set on a major and a dream job, but if you're unsure of what to do, there are some majors that are particularly advantageous for beginning stable and high-paying careers in a variety of industries.

1. Actuarial Science

  • Unemployment: 0.0%
  • Median salary: $81,000
  • Popularity: Low

If you're strong in math, this career is extremely stable and high paying, with low competition. Actuaries assess risk in insurance and finance.

2. Pharmacology

  • Unemployment: 0.0%
  • Median salary: $60,000
  • Popularity: Low

Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on living organisms, sometimes discovering new drugs, and are in very high demand by pharmaceutical companies.

3. Agricultural Economics

  • Unemployment: 1.3%
  • Median salary: $57,000
  • Popularity: Medium

In Indiana especially, a degree in agricultural economics will set you up for a bright future in the business area of agriculture.

4. Nursing

  • Unemployment: 2.2%
  • Median salary: $60,000
  • Popularity: High

If you want to improve the quality of life of people in your community, nursing is the most stable. It's a very popular field, but jobs are plentiful and pay well.

5. Public Policy

  • Unemployment: 2.2%
  • Median salary: $65,000
  • Popularity: Low

If you want to get into politics on the state or federal level, public policy will help you get your foot in the door. You could even end up working for Congress.

6. Mathematics and Computer Science

  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Median salary: $91,000
  • Popularity: Low

There are a variety of jobs available for those skilled in mathematics and computer science, some of them creative. This is an especially hot field right now due to the increasing demand for app developers and programmers.

7. Aerospace Engineering

  • Unemployment: 3.6%
  • Median salary: $84,000
  • Popularity: Medium

This one may sound intimidating, but the job of researching, developing and testing aircraft and spacecraft is exciting and rewarding.

8. Special Needs Education

  • Unemployment: 3.6%
  • Median salary: $42,000
  • Popularity: High

If your strongest skills are social rather than scientific or mathematical, this is the perfect field for an intelligent, compassionate person.

9. Theology and Religious Vocations

  • Unemployment: 4.1%
  • Median salary: $38,000
  • Popularity: High

You might be pleasantly surprised by the salary you can earn as a clergy member or a philosophy and religion teacher.

10. Management Information Systems and Statistics

  • Unemployment: 4.2%
  • Median salary: $71,000
  • Popularity: High

If you're a logical thinker skilled in statistical analysis, you can become a key part of helping businesses make decisions and become more efficient.

More From WGBFAM