Top 20 Fun College Majors that Pay Well

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Are you planning to go to college? You want to major in something fun and lucrative, right? You’ve come to the right place! This article will tell you about the 20 most fun college majors that pay well.

When choosing your major, keep in mind that more than half of all graduates with bachelor’s degrees will have to take jobs that don’t require one at all.

To make sure that your hard work in college pays off, it’s important to pick a major that interests you and has lots of opportunities for employment after graduation.

If you’re still in high school and trying to figure out what to study in college, you may be wondering how you can make studying feel more fun and rewarding. The truth is that fun college majors can be intellectually stimulating and are often very well compensated.

By studying the following fun college majors that pay well, you can ensure that your time spent earning your degree will not only be productive but also enjoyable.

What is a Fun College Major?

It’s an academic discipline that interests you but doesn’t require all that much study. Fun majors can be found in almost any field so long as they aren’t too esoteric or far removed from the real world like philosophy or religion (which does have its place).

The most important thing about choosing your fun major is finding something that interests you and gives meaning to your life beyond what it could’ve been otherwise.

Figuring Out Your Future

Figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life can be daunting. It can feel like there is an infinite number of possibilities, and all of them are equally valid.

In reality, there are only so many things you can do with your life, and it’s best to figure out as soon as possible what field you’re interested in.

The best way to narrow down your options is by looking for college majors that match up with your passions and interests. Below is a list of twenty fun college majors that will make figuring out your future a little bit easier!

List of the Fun College Majors That Pay Well

Here is the list of 20 fun college majors that pay well:

Top 20 Fun College Majors That Pay Well

1. Entertainment Design

  • Career: Game Designer
  • Average Salary: $90,000.

Entertainment design is an exciting major that combines creativity and engineering. Students in this major are responsible for designing, building, and programming everything from video games to theme park rides. It’s a great major if you’re looking to combine art with science in order to make something fun. 

This is a lucrative major because of the shortage of people who have these skills. Jobs usually pay well as long as you can work your way up the ranks in entertainment companies like Disney or Pixar.

It might be tough to find schools with this major available, but there are many online classes on game design and entertainment technology to help get started.

Overall, this seems like an exciting opportunity for anyone who has always been into video games or loves working behind the scenes at the movies or amusement parks.

2. Auctioneering

  • Career: Auctioneer
  • Average Salary: $89,000.

If you’re looking for a major that’ll pay well and is also fun, then auctioneering might be the perfect pick for you. Auctioneers typically earn an average of $89,000 a year, which is more than double the national average salary. 

On top of that, auctioneers are usually their own bosses, which means they can work from home or at any location that sells goods. Additionally, auctioneers don’t have to worry about sending out resumes because they constantly get new jobs through auctions. 

The only downside to this career choice is that many colleges and universities don’t offer degrees in auctioneering, so it’s important to find an accredited institution before pursuing this degree path.

3. Golf Course Management

  • Career: Maintenance Manager
  • Average Salary: $85,000.

Golf course management is one of the most popular majors for college students. It’s a fun major because you get to work in a beautiful environment and be outdoors a lot. But, it also pays well since golf courses are some of the largest employers in America. 

The median salary for a course superintendent or golf professional is around $43,000. The good news is that many golf professionals earn far more than that and there are plenty of opportunities available. If you’re looking for a fun college major that will actually pay off, this might be it.

4. Astrobiology

  • Career: Astrobiologist
  • Average Salary: $83,000.

Astrobiology is a fun major that pays well. Astrobiologists study the origin and evolution of the universe, life, earth, and other planetary systems. It’s a fast-growing field with plenty of job opportunities for graduates. 

All it takes to switch majors are taking introductory astronomy courses to get started in this fun college major. If you’re good at math and have a love for science, this could be the perfect fit for you. And even if you don’t find it your calling, there are still plenty of jobs in various fields related to chemistry or physics.

With more funding coming into research than ever before, this field will only continue to grow and provide lucrative employment opportunities for those who choose it as their path.

5. Fermentation Science

  • Career: Brewery Engineer
  • Average Salary: $81,000.

Fermentation Science is a fun major that can lead to a high-paying career. The fermentation process is used in many industries, including the production of beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages, as well as bread, cheese, and yogurt. 

Fermentation Science majors are typically trained on an apprenticeship or internship where they learn from professional brewmasters and distillers. These types of hands-on jobs often require college graduates with strong communication skills and critical thinking abilities. 

After obtaining the appropriate credentials, Fermentation Science majors may be eligible for careers like brewing supervisor, brewery lab manager, sensory analyst, or brewer at a research brewery.

6. Pop Music

  • Career: Songwriter
  • Average Salary: $81,000.

Pop music majors are fun major that pays very well. Many pop stars in the industry today have actually studied pop music as their major and have gone on to be some of the highest-paid musicians in the world. 

For example, Diddy, Drake, Katy Perry, and Madonna all studied pop music as their major. What do these people have in common? They’ve all been considered the top 20 best-selling recording artists of all time! So if you love to make up songs and sing along with your friends, this could be the perfect college major for you. 

As one of the most enjoyable degrees out there, it is also one of the most financially rewarding. It will take four years before graduating with this degree but if you enjoy playing musical instruments and singing for hours then it might just be worth it.

7. Paper Engineering

  • Career: Paper Engineer
  • Average Salary: $80,000.

Paper engineering is a fun major that can lead to a lucrative career. Paper engineers are in high demand, and their average yearly salary is $80,000.

With a degree in paper engineering, you will be able to work with different types of paper and learn about their properties. You will also learn how to design paper products like stationery or greeting cards. 

In order to pursue this major, you’ll need to complete an Associate’s Degree program at an accredited institution.

Paper engineering schools require students to take courses such as Introduction to Paper Engineering, Fundamentals of Graphic Design, and Design for Print Media. The length of the associate’s degree program varies depending on your school but it typically lasts between two years and four years. 

After graduating from college, most people who have studied paper engineering go on to become designers or art directors in the graphic arts industry.

If you’re looking for a way to make money while doing something that doesn’t feel like work then look into studying paper engineering.

8. Nautical Archaeology

  • Career: Archaeologist
  • Average Salary: $77,000.

Nautical Archaeology is a fun major that actually pays well! If you’re interested in maritime history and underwater archaeology, this might be the perfect major for you. You’ll study topics like shipwrecks, underwater exploration, marine life, and more.

Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in research and fieldwork to advance your career. 

With only about 300 people nationwide who have degrees in Nautical Archaeology, you’ll find it much easier to find employment after graduation. It’s also one of the most popular undergraduate majors at some schools with over 50 graduates from Texas A&M University’s Program each year. 

For anyone looking for a fun major with good pay, I highly recommend checking out what nautical archaeology has to offer.

9. Zoology

  • Career: Zoologist
  • Average Salary: $77,000.

Zoology is a fun major because you get to learn about all of the different animals, their habitats, and their behaviors. Plus, if you’re one of those people who like to interact with animals like dogs or cats then this might be a good major for you!

If you have an interest in science and are looking for a college major that is fun and pays well then Zoology might be the major for you. 

It can be tough though because there are not many schools out there that offer zoology as a major so it’s important to research colleges before making any final decisions.

Zoology has some great job opportunities too, such as zoo worker, veterinarian assistant, wildlife conservationist, zookeeper, and animal behavior consultant.

10. Metallurgy

  • Career: Metallurgist
  • Average Salary: $75,000.

Being a metallurgist is not just a fun major, it’s also one of the top eight most fun college majors that actually pays well. It is a field where you can work with metal all day long and experiment with different types of materials to create new things. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for this profession will increase by 10% through 2024. Metallurgy degrees are often combined with an art-related degree like painting or sculpture so students can better explore their creative side as they study how metals behave in various conditions.

A bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy from Brigham Young University costs $8,992 per year and includes lab fees. Metal sculptor Glenn Harper explains that metalsmithing is a lot more than working with molten metal.

11. Journalism

  • Career: Journalist
  • Average Salary: $75,000.

What are the fun college majors that actually pay well? Journalism! A degree in journalism will prepare you for a career as a reporter, commentator, or correspondent. You’ll need to be good with words and have a way with words. 

Journalism is one of the top 20 college majors that pay well.  The median salary for these jobs is $60,000 a year. The only downside is that it’s not too easy to find work right out of school.

So if you’re looking for something more stable and less risky then this major might not be your best bet. Still, there are always opportunities to freelance. 

And who knows what could happen between now and when you graduate from school? There could be twice as many job openings for journalists than those who graduate each year.

12. Culinary

  • Career: Chef
  • Average Salary: $75,000.

Culinary Arts is a great major to study in college because it is one of the most fun majors and it also pays well. Culinary arts professionals are in high demand, which means the salaries for this profession are higher than average. In addition, there are jobs available for those who have culinary degrees and want to continue their education. 

There are also internships offered by some schools that allow students to work with restaurants and chefs. The National Restaurant Association reports that restaurant management jobs will grow 9% from 2016-2026, while chefs will grow 13%.

One school, Johnson and Wales University has a unique program called the Professional Cuisine Studies Apprenticeship Program where students can take an apprenticeship in an established kitchen as part of their degree plan.

An apprenticeship is like a job where you get paid to learn. If you love cooking or food-related things then I highly recommend checking out culinary as your major.

13. Radiology

  • Career: Radiology Technician
  • Average Salary: $75,000.

One of the most fun majors out there is Radiology. People who major in Radiology learn about the structure, function, and imaging of the human body. This major often leads to a career as a radiologist, the number one thing you’ll need for this major is math skills since the sciences are very heavily based on math courses. 

You may have some prerequisites that must be met before being admitted into the program such as Chemistry or biology. There’s an opportunity for you to do research or take extra courses with an emphasis on specific areas like MRI or ultrasound. 

If these sound like they’re your cup of tea then Radiology could be a great major for you! At an average salary of $75,000 per year, it seems that studying Radiology can get you where you want to go. Plus it sounds really cool to use math and science skills in order to understand the different functions of the human body.

14. Astronomy

  • Career: Astronomer
  • Average Salary: $73,000.

Astronomy is a fun major that can lead to a fulfilling career. Astronomers study the universe, including stars and planets. They also look for life on other planets and try to understand how the universe began. 

A job as an astronomer is not only interesting but also pays well because astronomy is such a specialized field. People who want to become an astronomer should take courses in math, science, and engineering to prepare them for their future studies. 

There are also astronomy internships available through NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory which allow students to work alongside professional astronomers.

For those who want to be more hands-on with their learning process, there are immersive camps where they can spend time in observatories learning about what it takes to become an astronomer or meteorologist (another popular college major).

15. Herbal Science

  • Career: Horticulturist
  • Average Salary: $73,000.

Herbal Science is a fun major that pays well. Students can study the use of plants for medicinal purposes, making tinctures, oils, balms, and more. Herbalists can find employment in a variety of settings including hospices, nursing homes, and hospitals. Students also have an opportunity to open their own businesses where they can sell their herbal remedies.  

And while being a herbalist may not sound like one of the most serious majors out there, it’s worth noting that this is considered by some experts to be one of the best-paying degrees. The median salary for herbalists is $38K-$74K with many earning more than $100K annually.

16. Mass Communication

  • Career: Scriptwriter
  • Average Salary: $72,000.

Mass Communication is one of the most fun majors you can study, yet it is also one of the most lucrative. Many students choose to major in Mass Communications because they want to be a part of an industry that tells people’s stories. 

They are also excited about being able to write and publish their own work.  In fact, many people working in the field today started off as Mass Comm undergraduates! Jobs in this field include television producer, copywriter, advertising executive, and broadcast journalist. 

With so many potential jobs available and the high salary, there’s no wonder why this is one of the most popular choices among college students.

17. Oceanography

  • Career: Ecologist
  • Average Salary: $71,000.

Oceanography is a fun major that can lead to a successful career. Jobs for oceanographers are projected to grow by 17% over the next 10 years, but only 5% of students who major in oceanography graduate with a job lined up after graduation. 

Oceanographers study the sea, its life forms and processes, and how these elements interact with each other. This includes studying how climate change affects all of these aspects of the oceans.

Being an oceanographer would be an amazing profession and be one of the few majors where you would be able to explore the world while being paid. 

Studies show that jobs for oceanographers will continue to rise and become more needed because of the impact humans have on our environment. If you’re interested in this fun college major, take courses like physical geology, marine geology, earth science, or astronomy.

18. Apiology

  • Career: Beekeeper
  • Average Salary: $70,000.

If you’re looking for a fun major that also pays well, look no further than apiology. Apiology is the study of bees and other insects, which is especially interesting to those who are interested in agriculture.

The job outlook for this major is excellent: it’s a rapidly growing field and there are many opportunities available.

 One reason why apiology is such a lucrative major is that honeybees pollinate more than 85% of the world’s flowering plants. Pollination is key to food production since some crops, like almonds, are almost exclusively pollinated by honeybees.

There are many ways to enter the field with just an undergraduate degree, but if you want to take your career even farther down the line then pursue a graduate degree.

19. Jazz Studies

  • Career: Performer
  • Average Salary: $70,000.

Jazz Studies is a fun major because you get to study the history, culture, and artistry of jazz music. You will learn about various styles of jazz and how they have evolved over time. You will also be able to explore the music that has been influenced by jazz, such as funk, soul, R&B, and hip-hop. 

This major is a fantastic choice for anyone who loves music and wants to delve deeper into it. It’s also great for those who want to work in media or even teach jazz at the college level.

It doesn’t matter if you are an instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, or composer; this major can prepare you for any career related to jazz. 

With so many students wanting to pursue careers in this field, schools like Berklee College of Music are increasing their class sizes and graduate programs every year to meet these demands.

20. Fashion Designing

  • Career: Fashion Designer
  • Average Salary: $70,000.

Fashion Designing is a fun and creative major that many people are drawn to, but it’s also one of the best majors for landing a high-paying job. In fact, the average salary for a fashion designer is $70,000 per year.

 The skills you’ll learn in this field are highly sought after by some of the biggest companies in the world, including Nike and Adidas. If you want to make your own clothes or work with others on their designs, this is an excellent major choice.

 If you don’t like sewing, don’t worry there are plenty of other avenues for exploring your creativity in the field as well.  You could choose to focus on garment construction, textile design, or color theory. 

Another great aspect of fashion design is that you can do this from anywhere! You can create clothing at home, send sketches back and forth over email, or work for a company overseas without ever having to relocate.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it possible to work in a fun major like art history while still earning a living wage?

Yes, there are many jobs available for art majors in fields such as the law, education, and marketing. There are even many museums around the country that employ people with degrees in art history.

How do I pick from so many cool majors?

It can feel overwhelming when faced with all of these great options, but don't worry! It's totally normal to not know right away what you want to study for the next four years of your life. Many students take courses in several different areas before finally settling on one major and this is called exploring. Why not sign up for some classes that interest you and see how it goes? If one course doesn't seem like the right fit, try another one until you find something you love.

Should I start with core classes or electives first?

If you are looking for a fun college major, you will have to think about what specific courses you would like to take. If you want to pursue a fun college major in a certain field, it might be helpful to take some core classes before moving into electives. For example, if you wanted to get an art degree, then taking some art courses would prepare you for the upper-level courses in the major. This is true of any discipline that requires more knowledge than just an interest or curiosity.

How much does it cost to go through college with a fun major?

This can vary depending on the school you are attending, but the answer is often less than what it would cost to go through school with a more traditional degree. Colleges usually have scholarships and grants for students who are pursuing unusual majors as well.

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Conclusion

We all know that college is hard, and it can be even harder if you’re not sure what you want to do with your life. That’s why we decided to write this article on the top fun college majors that pay well.

In fact, there are many different types of jobs in which these majors can take you! And if it doesn’t work out? No big deal there are plenty more options out there waiting for you!