Choosing a degree is no longer a purely academic decision—it is an investment in one’s professional and financial future. In the United States, where higher education costs can exceed six figures and the job market shifts rapidly, students and families want assurance that their chosen field will lead to employability and financial stability.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industries such as healthcare, technology, engineering, and business are expected to expand dramatically between 2025 and 2035. Degrees in these fields not only yield high starting salaries but also offer long-term career security.
In this guide, we will explore the most in-demand degrees in America, analyzing salaries, growth projections, and employment opportunities.
What Makes a Degree “High-Demand” in the U.S.?
A “high-demand” degree typically meets three criteria:
- Strong Employment Growth: Measured by the projected number of jobs created over the next decade.
- Competitive Salaries: Degrees that lead to professions with higher-than-average earnings.
- Transferable Skills: Fields that offer adaptability across industries, ensuring long-term relevance.
The BLS projects that healthcare occupations will grow 13% between 2025 and 2035, technology jobs will grow 15%, and renewable energy-related fields will grow 28%, outpacing the national average of 3%.
Top High-Demand American Degrees in 2025
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the leading degrees by field.
1. Healthcare Degrees
Healthcare remains the largest and fastest-growing industry in the United States, fueled by an aging population and medical technology innovations.
- Nursing (BSN, MSN, DNP)
- Average Salary: $81,220 (Registered Nurse), $124,000 (Nurse Practitioner)
- Job Growth: 6–9% by 2032
- Why in demand: Nurses are the backbone of U.S. healthcare, and advanced practice nurses are filling physician shortages.
- Medicine (MD, DO)
- Average Salary: $210,000+ (Primary Care), $350,000+ (Specialists)
- Job Growth: 4% by 2032
- Why in demand: Doctors remain indispensable; demand grows in rural and underserved communities.
- Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Average Salary: $132,000
- Job Growth: Stable, with evolving demand in clinical settings.
- Public Health
- Average Salary: $70,000 (Epidemiologist), $120,000+ (Health Policy Director)
- Job Growth: 12%
- Why in demand: Pandemic preparedness and health equity have pushed public health to the forefront.
Related reading: See our detailed guide on how to win scholarships for U.S. universities to reduce healthcare degree costs.
2. Technology Degrees
Technology dominates the U.S. economy, with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science reshaping industries.
- Computer Science
- Average Salary: $116,000
- Job Growth: 21% by 2032
- Applications: Software, systems, cloud computing.
- Cybersecurity
- Average Salary: $125,000 (Cybersecurity Analyst)
- Job Growth: 32% (much faster than average)
- Why in demand: Increasing cyber threats drive urgent hiring.
- Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
- Average Salary: $140,000 (Data Scientist), $160,000 (AI Engineer)
- Job Growth: 28% by 2032
- Applications: Finance, healthcare, manufacturing, government.
- Software Engineering
- Average Salary: $120,000
- Job Growth: 25%
- Why in demand: Apps, platforms, and digital services underpin the modern economy.
If you are considering applying, explore our step-by-step U.S. admissions guide.
3. Business and Finance Degrees
The business sector continues to reward analytical, financial, and managerial expertise.
- Accounting & Finance
- Average Salary: $78,000 (Accountant), $135,000 (Financial Manager)
- Job Growth: 7–16%
- Why in demand: Corporations, startups, and government require financial specialists.
- MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- Average Salary: $115,000 (general), $150,000+ (consulting/finance)
- Why in demand: MBAs open doors to leadership, management, and executive roles.
- Supply Chain Management & Logistics
- Average Salary: $95,000
- Job Growth: 20% (driven by e-commerce and global supply chains).
4. Law and Political Science Degrees
- Law (Juris Doctor)
- Average Salary: $127,000 (Median lawyer salary)
- Job Growth: 8%
- Specialties in demand: Corporate law, intellectual property, cyber law.
- Political Science & International Relations
- Average Salary: $70,000+ (Policy Analyst, Diplomat, NGO roles)
- Job Growth: 9%
5. Engineering Degrees
Engineering remains a classic high-demand field, critical to infrastructure, technology, and innovation.
- Civil Engineering
- Average Salary: $89,000
- Job Growth: 7% (new infrastructure projects).
- Mechanical Engineering
- Average Salary: $95,000
- Job Growth: 10%
- Electrical Engineering
- Average Salary: $100,000
- Job Growth: 6%
- Petroleum Engineering
- Average Salary: $137,000
- Job Growth: Stable with fluctuations in energy markets.
- Biomedical Engineering
- Average Salary: $98,000
- Job Growth: 12% (driven by medical device innovations).
See our coverage of top universities in the U.S. offering engineering programs.
6. Education and Psychology
- Teacher Education
- Average Salary: $62,000 (Elementary Teacher), $80,000+ (Specialized roles)
- Job Growth: 4–7%
- Why in demand: Teacher shortages in math, science, and special education.
- Clinical Psychology
- Average Salary: $82,000
- Job Growth: 11%
- Why in demand: Rising awareness of mental health.
7. Environmental and Sustainability Degrees
- Environmental Science
- Average Salary: $78,000
- Job Growth: 15%
- Why in demand: Climate change, conservation, corporate sustainability.
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Average Salary: $95,000
- Job Growth: 28% (fastest growing U.S. sector).
8. Communication and Media Studies
- Digital Media & Marketing
- Average Salary: $75,000
- Job Growth: 10%
- Why in demand: Companies prioritize digital-first advertising.
- Journalism & Mass Communication
- Average Salary: $65,000
- Job Growth: Evolving toward multimedia and online journalism.
Salary Expectations and Career Growth
The following table summarizes average salaries and job growth (U.S. BLS 2025 data):
| Field | Average Salary | Job Growth (2025–2035) |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $80,000–$350,000 | 6–12% |
| Technology | $110,000–$160,000 | 21–32% |
| Business & Finance | $95,000–$150,000 | 7–20% |
| Law & Political Science | $70,000–$127,000 | 8–9% |
| Engineering | $89,000–$137,000 | 6–12% |
| Education & Psychology | $62,000–$82,000 | 4–11% |
| Environmental Studies | $78,000–$95,000 | 15–28% |
| Media & Communication | $65,000–$75,000 | 10% |
Scholarships and Funding Opportunities
While salaries justify the cost of pursuing these degrees, U.S. higher education remains expensive. Fortunately, many scholarship opportunities are available:
- Merit-based awards (e.g., top SAT/ACT scores, GPAs)
- Need-based aid (FAFSA-linked grants)
- Industry scholarships (e.g., tech companies offering STEM aid)
- Catholic and private university scholarships
Learn more in our guide to winning U.S. scholarships.
Why Students Choose High-Demand Degrees
- Return on Investment (ROI): High salaries pay back student loans faster.
- Career Stability: Fields like nursing, cybersecurity, and engineering rarely face recessions.
- Global Opportunities: Degrees like business, law, and tech are highly transferable worldwide.
- Social Impact: Education, public health, and sustainability attract those who want to contribute to society.
Conclusion
The U.S. economy is changing, but one constant remains: education drives opportunity. Students who pursue high-demand American degrees in healthcare, technology, business, law, and engineering position themselves for strong earnings and long-term stability.
The best advice is to align passion with market demand. A degree in a high-demand field ensures not only employability but also financial independence in the years to come.
FAQ: High-Demand Degrees in the U.S.
Q1: What degree has the highest salary in the U.S. in 2025?
Medical degrees (MD, DO) remain at the top, with specialist physicians earning $350,000+ annually.
Q2: Which technology degree is most in demand?
Cybersecurity leads due to increasing threats, followed closely by AI and data science.
Q3: Are engineering degrees still valuable in 2025?
Yes, especially civil, biomedical, and renewable energy engineering, given infrastructure and sustainability projects.
Q4: What is the fastest-growing job field in the U.S.?
Renewable energy engineering and AI/data science show the strongest growth projections.
Q5: Which degrees offer both high salary and job security?
Healthcare (nursing, medicine), cybersecurity, engineering, and finance degrees balance income with long-term stability.