You might be surprised to learn that, prior to the early 1800s, all US college students were taught the same basic set of subjects. It was the University of Virginia that changed academic history forever by offering different programs that students could choose between. Other colleges and universities soon began to follow suit, introducing various academic concentrations, or “majors” — a term that wasn’t coined until the late 1870s.
It’s hard to believe that, from those humble beginnings, there are now hundreds of majors for undergraduates to choose from, ranging across such diverse fields as business, engineering, computing, education, medicine, political science, criminal justice, and the arts. However, while the sheer range of options available today makes it easier to follow your passions, it can also make choosing a path more difficult — especially in an era when forces like globalization, automation, connectivity, social networking, Big Data, and AI are radically and rapidly reshaping the economic landscape.
In the face of so much uncertainty,, many undergraduates want to know:
- What are the best bachelor’s degrees for the future?
- What skills will make me most marketable to prospective employers?
- What types of careers have the brightest financial outlook?
- What are the most useful or employable majors?
By examining factors like average salary, skills shortages, and projected industry growth, this guide will help you find the answers.
What Are the Most Useful Degrees and Best Majors for the Future Job Market?
Below, you’ll find some of the top majors that employers look for in 2025 and beyond. All of the majors listed below are offered at National University, many in both online and on-campus formats. To explore our options, streamline your search using our program finder. You can also contact our undergraduate admissions office to speak with an enrollment counselor.
Major #1: BS in Computer Science
What can I do with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS)? Perhaps the better question is, what can’t be done with a BS in computer science? This versatile, in-demand undergrad degree can lead into numerous occupations, including but not limited to AI engineer, data scientist, information security (cybersecurity) analyst, mobile application designer, network architect, software engineer, systems analyst, and web developer.
How much money can I earn with a bachelor’s degree in computer science? The answer depends on what occupation you choose. To provide a few examples of median pay using BLS data:
- Computer Programmers earn an average of $98,670
- Network architects earn an average of $112,000
- Database administrators earn an average of $130,000
- Systems analysts earn an average of $103,790
- Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earn an average of 131,450
How fast is the computer science industry growing? The BLS expects the computer and information technology sector to grow by 7 percent in the coming decade, which is “much faster than the average for all occupations and about 356,700 job openings are projected each year on average.
Major #2: BA in Marketing
What can I do with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing? With a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications, you can transition into virtually any industry that interests you. Jobs you can get with an undergraduate degree in marketing include account executive, brand manager, digital media director, market research analyst, paid search specialist, and SEO manager.
How much money can I earn with a bachelor’s degree in marketing? The answer depends on your specific occupation. For instance, the BLS reports that the highest 10% of advertising and marketing managers earn a mean annual salary exceeding 239,200. These figures are current as of May 2024, the most recent year for which BLS data is available. The median annual wage for advertising and marketing promotion managers was $126,960. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $63,000,
What sort of job outlook can I expect with an undergrad degree in marketing? The BLS projects 8 percent growth — considered “faster than average” — for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers.
Major #3: BS in Nursing
What can I do with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)? A BS in nursing enables you to pursue many different types of careers within the nursing profession. Some examples include pediatric nurse, public health nurse, critical care nurse, and nurse manager.
How much money can I earn with a bachelor’s degree in nursing? According to the BLS, registered nurses (RNs) earned a median salary of approximately $93,600 per year as of May 2024, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $135,320.
How much demand is there for nurses? The American Association of Colleges of Nur4sing, or AACN, reports a nationwide “shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) that is expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age.” Due to this shortage, there is tremendous continuing demand for RNs, which is worse in some states than others, such as California, Texas, and New Jersey. At the national level, the BLS reports an RN job growth outlook of 6 percent, “faster than average”, from 2023 through 2033.
What other sorts of nursing degrees are available to undergraduates at NU? National University offers eight distinct nursing degrees for undergraduates, we also offer an RN to BSN program (RN Completion), along with several healthcare programs located in California, where the U.S. has been hardest hit by the nursing shortage. Our program finder lists eight undergraduate nursing and healthcare degree programs.
Can You Get a Bachelor’s Degree Online?
In many cases you can earn your bachelor’s degree online. While much of your coursework may be completed online, some majors in college may require you to complete some aspects of the work, like practicums or labs, in an in-person environment.
For example, the Generic Entry Nursing BS requires on-campus coursework, due to the hands-on nature of nursing and need for interaction with patients. However, most of our bachelor’s degree programs can be fully completed online, including the RN Completion program, the BS in Accountancy program, and the BS in Computer Science program. If you’d like to learn more about distance education and online coursework at NU, you may be interested in browsing our guide to the best online bachelor’s degrees for in-demand jobs.
What About In-Demand Master’s Degrees for Graduate Students?
Undergraduates aren’t the only students who should think carefully when choosing an academic major. Grad students also benefit by targeting degrees that are in high demand, such as a master’s degree in data science or cybersecurity. If you’ve already attained your undergraduate degree and are interested in taking your education a step further, check out some of the best master’s degrees for the future, or explore our complete list of over 78 graduate and doctoral programs. You can also contact our graduate admissions office for one-on-one assistance.
Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree Online or On Campus at National University
Established in 1971 and accredited in 1977, National University has been a leader in education for nearly half a century. We offer more than 150+ online and on campus degree programs for graduates and undergraduates, including associate’s degree, certificates, and credential programs. Our unique four and eight-week courses are flexible, offering students convenience while challenging them to excel. We’re also a proud Yellow Ribbon school, honoring our commitment to serve military and veterans by providing tuition discounts for military-affiliated students.
Contact our admissions office to learn more about applying and jumpstart your future today.
Additional Sources
Computer and Information Technology: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Can You Do with a Computer Science Degree?
What Can You Do with a Marketing Degree? | Franklin.edu
BSN | BSN Degree | Earn Your BSN Online
Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet (Updated May 2024)
The Places with the Largest Nursing Shortages (updated February 2025)