Choosing the right major is an extremely exciting yet critical part of attending college that can pave your way for a successful academic and post-college career.  That is why it is important to be educated on how to choose a major in a smart and calculated way.  Keep in mind that you do not have to be completely set on a specific major when starting the college application process. However, you should have somewhat of an idea, if you don’t already, as to what interests you.  

First, when considering a major, don’t wait until the last minute.  This means that as early as possible, even before attending college, you should start thinking about areas of study that excite you.  Ask yourself:  what do I like learning about?  What past high school courses did I find fascinating or interesting?  For instance, do you like learning about history?  Or, are you considering a medical profession in the future and think that the sciences may be the right path? Or even, did you always like building things when you were younger and think an engineering degree might be up your alley? Accordingly, as early as possible, start considering choosing a few majors and work your way towards narrowing them down before going to college. Keep in mind that at most colleges, you must choose your major in your sophomore year of college.

For college bound students, an important factor to consider when starting the college search and selection process is what to major in. For some students, they already have their mind set on a major while others have not begun to think about it.  Regardless, it is an important decision, and with some education, can be made wisely.  With this in mind, consider the following frequently asked questions (and answers) about majors and salaries:

What are the highest paying majors, and their average starting salaries?

The top five highest paying majors and their starting salaries are: petroleum engineering ($68,500), aerospace engineering ($68,000), chemical engineering ($67,300), computer science ($64,600), and physical therapy (64,400).

What are the top ten most popular majors?

The top ten most popular majors in the U.S. are: (1) biology, (2) business administration, (3) communication, (4) computer science, (5) criminal justice, (6) primary education, (7) marketing and communications, (8) nursing, (9) psychology, and (10) political science.