What College Majors Are Worth the Money?

It’s not exactly a news flash that college is expensive. Which college majors give you more bang for your buck, and does that compare to doing what you love?

Two Cents on Twitter: @twocentspbs

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Two Cents was created by Katie Graham, Andrew Matthews, Philip Olson CFP® and Julia Lorenz-Olson and is brought to you by PBS Digital Studios. We love dropping some knowledge on all things personal finance and helping you make better money decisions.

Two Cents is hosted by Philip Olson, CFP® and Julia Lorenz-Olson
Directors: Katie Graham & Andrew Matthews
Written by: Andrew Matthews & Julia Lorenz-Olson
Produced by: Katie Graham & Amanda Fox
Images by: Shutterstock
Music by: APM

Works Cited:
The National Center for

Paul F. Campos. (Apr 4, 2015)
The Real Reason College Tuition
Costs So Much. The New York Times.

Danielle Kurtzleben. (Feb,11, 2014)
Study: Income Gap Between Young
College and High School Grads
Widens. U.S. News and World Report.

Steven J. Harper. (Aug. 25, 2015)
Too Many Law Students, Too Few
Legal Jobs. The New York Times.

Dinah Wisenberg Brin. (Apr. 4, 2017)
Taking the Sting Out of Medical
School Debt. AAMC News.

Julie Phillips, MD, MPH. “The Impact of
Debt on Young Family Physicians”
Journal of the American Board
of Family Medicine.

[jhonreyraagas]

Choosing a college degree is not easy. It’s between passion and practicality.

[madtenors]

I joined the military and used the GI Bill after my enlistment. No crippling debt for me, just crippling alcoholism!

[samuels]

I went to community college for 2.5 years, live with my parents, always work full time during summer, and work part-time while taking classes, saving money along the way. Transferred to a 4-year university and graduated debt-free.

[NeverAgainVids]

If you think community college is for people who couldn’t get into real college then you deserve that crippling debt.

[Jp-dqye]

Went to community college for two years and then transferred to a top 15 university with financial aid covering almost all of the cost. More people should be looking into community college.

[pianistoftime]

Graduated as a nurse with 2 years of college and no debt, and now I'm making 84k a year. thank goodness for community college!

5/9/22*Update: I’m now at 130k same with the same Nursing degree last year, and projecting 180k by the end of this year!

[carrotcake]

Things to consider: a passion is the not the same thing as a hobby

[usernamekrn]

Some people look down on Community Colleges. I Went to Community College. $0 school debt. Got a job. My job paid for my Bachelor's degree and now they're paying for my Master's. 🖕

[jeffenriquez]

Cheapest way to go through college:
Start with community college.
Transfer to an in-state University.
Work a part time job that pays part or all of your tuition (and/or) get a scholarship for service.

[modernminimalmuse]

Ways to save on college:
• Don’t go out of state, you pay more tuition costs
• Live with your parents and go to college locally
• Work a job while in college

[a]

At my community college, as long as you get good grades, they themselves virtually pay for all fees and costs( I only ended up paying like $30 or something) and that’s not including the financial aid you receive as well. The professors here are also very helpful, wonderful, and passionate. I’m glad Im going to community college.

[tonycns]

America: We have a shortage of doctors
Medical school: Oh, you want to be a doctor? That'll be $300k

[JenniferBellfilms]

My own community college graduation is tonight actually. I’m getting two associate’s degrees and will be transferring to University of California, Irvine. I paid about $1800/year out of pocket but saved roughly $65, 000 by not going to university right after high school. Community college is a great option and allows you to get your GEs out of the way.

[FruityUnicorn]

Community college is a GREAT option.
Smaller classes, WAY cheaper and it’s an easier transition from High School to College :) 100% recommend.
I’m so glad I went to Community College after H.S. My A.A allowed me to work in the education field and now I’m on my way to transferring to a 4 year and I feel so much more prepared than I did right out of H.S.

[pfinkmv]

Watching this at the age of 12 so I can invest and learn now, and not screw my life over with debt later. School has taught, and will continue, not teaching me about this kind of information. Thanks a lot for making my future life easier 2 cents!

[jacobcook]

Even though I wanted to blow my brains out, I’m so glad I did Engineering. Started off at $75, 000 right out of college

[actualitychicken]

I think high schools should educate students more about trade schools instead of pushing a four year college on students

[Bravo_L]

If all of this is sounding scary or discouraging you probably live in the USA

[killianmiller]

“Don’t follow your passion; but always bring it with you.”
-Mike Rowe

[marisasmith]

One thing I learned from college is to take your electives in high school (ap credits) or at a community college!!! DO NOT what’s so ever take them at private colleges, unless you wanna burn a 10k hole through your pocket.