America's Most And Least Valuable College Majors

PITTSBURGH, PA - Mention actuarial sciences to most people and their eyes instantly will glaze over. When it comes to getting the most for your money from a college education, an actuarial science degree might be best for getting a job and maximizing your earning potential without an advanced degree.

A new Bankrate study of 162 college degrees found that actuarial science majors topped the list with an annual salary of almost $109,000 and an unemployment rate of just 2.3 percent.

"Being an actuary is the best job in America because you get paid like doctors and lawyers, but you don't have to work with blood or visit your clients in jail," Krzysztof Ostaszewski, director of Illinois State University’s actuarial program, said in a release.

The study ranked 162 majors based on weighted factors pertaining to degree holders, led by average annual income (70 percent of the ranking), unemployment rate (20 percent) and earning power without an advanced degree (10 percent).

Based on the criteria, Bankrate found the five most valuable college majors are:

1. Actuarial Science: Average income $108,658, unemployment rate 2.3 percent, higher degree holders 22 percent.

2. Zoology: Average income $111,889, unemployment 1.4 percent, higher degree holders 68 percent.

3. Nuclear engineering: Average income $108,591, unemployment 1.8 percent, higher degree holders 48 percent.

4. Health and medical preparatory programs: Average income $130,308, unemployment 2.3 percent, higher degree holders 78 percent.

5. Applied mathematics: Average income $105,679, unemployment 2 percent, higher degree holders 51 percent.

The least valuable college majors:

158. Visual and performing arts: Average income $43,996, unemployment 4 percent, higher degree holders 23 percent.

159. Cosmetology services and culinary arts: Average income $42,362, unemployment 4.7 percent, higher degree holders 8 percent.

160. Clinical psychology: Average income $51,022, unemployment 4.8 percent, higher degree holders 74 percent.

161. Composition and speech: Average income $44,211, unemployment 4.9 percent, higher degree holders 26 percent.

162, Miscellaneous fine arts: Average income $40,855, unemployment rate 9.1 percent, higher degree holders 13 percent.

Image via Shutterstock.

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