10 Best Degrees for 2027 (With Pay and Job Growth Data)

Choosing a degree is one of the biggest money and time decisions most people make. This guide looks at ten degrees that lead to fast-growing or well-paid careers, using numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) rather than guesses.

The degrees are ordered by the projected growth of the closest BLS job, then by median pay. Renewable energy engineering comes last because BLS has no single job for it. The figures describe jobs, not degrees, and they are national medians, so your results will depend on your school, skills, location and the job market. Nothing here guarantees a job or a salary.

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Scroll to the ten degrees, then use the free decision sheet to compare your top choice and print or copy it.

10 Best Degrees for 2027

Quick jump: 1. Data Science 2. AI 3. Cybersecurity 4. Computer Science 5. Business 6. Psychology 7. Nursing 8. Environmental 9. Ed Tech 10. Renewable Energy

1. Data Science

Data science combines statistics, programming and business questions to turn raw data into decisions. Employers in many industries hire people who can work with data.

Closest BLS job: Data scientists
Median pay: $120,230 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 35% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: bachelor’s degree

Good fit if: you like math, puzzles and finding patterns in numbers.
Keep in mind: a portfolio of real projects can help you show what you can do.

2. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence programs cover machine learning, robotics and language systems. BLS says the work of computer and information research scientists will be needed in creating new technologies related to AI.

Closest BLS job: Computer and information research scientists
Median pay: $140,300 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 22% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: master’s degree

Good fit if: you enjoy advanced math and programming.
Keep in mind: the closest BLS job typically needs a master’s degree, so plan for graduate study.

3. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity degrees teach you to protect networks, systems and data from attacks. Organizations of every size need people who can find and fix weak points.

Closest BLS job: Information security analysts
Median pay: $129,180 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 21% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: bachelor’s degree, usually in a computer science field

Good fit if: you like solving problems and thinking like an attacker.
Keep in mind: a cybersecurity or computer science major can both lead to this job.

4. Computer Science

Computer science is the base for software, apps, games and many other fields. You learn programming, data structures and how computers work.

Closest BLS job: Software developers
Median pay: $134,040 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 10% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: bachelor’s degree
Projected openings: about 106,100 a year

Good fit if: you like building things and logical thinking.
Keep in mind: NACE projects an average starting base salary of $81,535 for computer sciences in the Class of 2026.

5. Business Administration

Business administration is a flexible degree that covers management, finance, marketing and operations. It suits people who want to lead teams or run projects.

Closest BLS job: Management analysts
Median pay: $101,860 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 10% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: bachelor’s degree (some employers prefer an MBA)

Good fit if: you like organizing people and improving how things work.
Keep in mind: NACE projects an average starting base salary of $68,831 for business administration and management in the Class of 2026.

6. Psychology

Psychology studies behavior, thinking and mental health. It leads to clinical, counseling, school, research and workplace roles.

Closest BLS job: Psychologists
Median pay: $99,110 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 6% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree

Good fit if: you are curious about people and enjoy research.
Keep in mind: licensed psychologists need graduate study, and all states and D.C. require licensure to practice independently.

7. Nursing

Nursing prepares you to care for patients in hospitals, clinics and communities. Healthcare employers hire nurses in many settings.

Closest BLS job: Registered nurses
Median pay: $97,550 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 6% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: bachelor’s degree (associate’s and diploma programs also lead to licensure)
Projected openings: about 180,800 a year

Good fit if: you want hands-on work helping people.
Keep in mind: registered nurses must have a nursing license from the state where they work.

8. Environmental Science

Environmental science studies air, water, land and ecosystems. Graduates work on cleanup, conservation, compliance and research.

Closest BLS job: Environmental scientists and specialists
Median pay: $82,220 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 6% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: bachelor’s degree

Good fit if: you like science and being outdoors.
Keep in mind: field work and lab experience can set your resume apart.

9. Education Technology

Education technology looks at how digital tools can improve teaching and training. It suits people who like both learning and technology.

Closest BLS job: Instructional coordinators
Median pay: $77,440 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 2% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: master’s degree plus related work experience

Good fit if: you enjoy designing lessons and training people.
Keep in mind: BLS projects slower than average growth for this job, so pair the degree with teaching experience and digital tool skills.

10. Renewable Energy Engineering

Renewable energy engineering covers solar, wind and other clean power systems. BLS has no single job for this degree, so the figures below are for related jobs.

Closest BLS job: Wind turbine technicians and solar photovoltaic installers
Median pay: $64,120 and $53,140 (May 2025)
Projected growth: 30% and 37% (2025-35)
Typical entry education: postsecondary nondegree award and high school diploma

Good fit if: you like math, electrical systems and building real equipment.
Keep in mind: those growing jobs do not require a degree. NACE projects an average starting base salary of $81,198 for all engineering majors in the Class of 2026.

Degrees at a Glance

Median pay is for May 2025. Growth is the BLS projection for 2025 to 2035. For renewable energy, the two figures are for wind turbine technicians and solar installers.

Degree	Median pay	Growth
Data Science	$120,230	35%
Artificial Intelligence	$140,300	22%
Cybersecurity	$129,180	21%
Computer Science	$134,040	10%
Business Administration	$101,860	10%
Psychology	$99,110	6%
Nursing	$97,550	6%
Environmental Science	$82,220	6%
Education Technology	$77,440	2%
Renewable Energy Engineering	$64,120 / $53,140	30% / 37%

Free Degree Decision Sheet

Starting Salaries by Field

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) publishes projected starting salaries for new graduates. These are average base salaries for the Class of 2026, and they exclude bonuses, commissions and overtime. NACE also projected a 1.7% decrease for social sciences, though it gave no dollar figure in the article we used.

Field (Class of 2026)	Projected starting salary
Computer sciences	$81,535
Engineering	$81,198
Math and sciences	$74,184
Business	$68,873
Business administration and management	$68,831

How to Read These Numbers

They describe jobs, not degrees. A degree does not guarantee a job, and many jobs accept several majors.
Median pay is for all workers. It includes people with years of experience, so starting pay is usually lower.
Growth is a projection. BLS updates its projections every year, so check the latest numbers.
Education and licenses matter. Some careers need a master’s degree or a state license.

How to Choose a Degree

Start with your interests. You are more likely to finish, and do well in, a subject you enjoy.
Check the job, not just the major. Read the Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for the work you want.
Compare total cost. Include tuition, housing, books and fees, and check financial aid.
Look at the entry requirements. Note whether the job needs a license or a graduate degree.
Talk with people in the field. Ask what they studied and what they would do differently.
Keep a backup plan. A related major can lead to similar jobs.

Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing only for pay. A high salary will not help if you dislike the work.
Ignoring licensing and graduate study. Nursing and psychology have rules that add time.
Trusting one source. Compare BLS, school data and employer postings.
Skipping the cost. Compare programs on total cost and job outcomes.
Typos in applications. Proofread twice, or use our free proofreading service.

Degree Choice Checklist

Tick each item as you finish. You are ready to apply when the counter reaches 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best degree for 2027?

There is no single best degree, because the right one depends on your interests, budget and goals. In the BLS figures used on this page, data scientists have the fastest projected growth (35% from 2025 to 2035), and software developers have the highest median pay ($134,040) among the jobs that typically need only a bachelor’s degree.

Which degree has the highest starting salary?

NACE’s projections for the Class of 2026 put computer sciences first among the broad fields it lists, at an average base salary of $81,535, followed by engineering at $81,198 and math and sciences at $74,184. NACE says these are base salaries only, so bonuses and overtime are not included, and individual offers vary.

Is a computer science degree still worth it?

BLS projects software developer employment to grow 10% from 2025 to 2035, with about 106,100 openings a year, and reports a median pay of $134,040 (May 2025). Those figures describe the job, not a guarantee for every graduate, so check current openings in your area.

Do I need a degree for renewable energy jobs?

Not always. BLS says wind turbine technicians typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, with a median pay of $64,120 and 30% projected growth, and solar photovoltaic installers typically need a high school diploma, with a median pay of $53,140 and 37% projected growth. An engineering degree leads to different roles, so read job postings for the work you want.

Can I work as a psychologist with a bachelor’s degree?

BLS says psychologists typically need an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, and that all states and D.C. require licensure for psychologists who practice independently. A bachelor’s in psychology can be a start toward graduate study.

Does nursing require a bachelor’s degree?

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for registered nurses and notes that an associate’s degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program are also entry paths. Registered nurses must hold a nursing license from the state where they work.

Is an artificial intelligence degree worth it?

BLS says computer and information research scientists, the closest BLS job, typically need at least a master’s degree, with a median pay of $140,300 and 22% projected growth from 2025 to 2035. Many people start with a computer science or data science bachelor’s degree and add graduate study.

How were these degrees ordered?

They are ordered by the projected growth of the closest BLS job, then by median pay, with renewable energy engineering last because BLS has no single job for it. This is one way to compare them, not a ranking of which degree is best for you. Interest, cost and local jobs matter as much as national numbers.

How often do job projections change?

BLS publishes new employment projections every year, so growth rates and pay can change. Check the Occupational Outlook Handbook for the latest numbers before you choose a program.

How do I choose between two degrees?

Compare the typical education and licensing for the job you want, the total cost of each program, and what graduates do afterward. Talk with someone who works in the field, and use the decision sheet on this page to keep your notes in one place.

Conclusion

The best degree for 2027 is one that matches your interests, fits your budget and leads to a career with real demand. Use the BLS numbers as a starting point, check current data, and then use the decision sheet above to compare your top choices.