25 Hardest College Majors that pay well

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Hello World Scholars!! Welcome to our article on the 25 Hardest College Majors that pay well. We are always excited to provide you with the latest information in the education and career sector. Without wasting much of your time let’s dive straight in!

A college degree major is an excellent investment in your future and one of the most common degrees obtained by college students.

Some degrees pay off, while others don’t do much to boost your earning potential. Your course of study has an impact on your earning potential, so in order to plan your financial future, this article will walk you through the hardest college majors that pay well.

So, if you want to study a major that will lead to a good job that pays well, read this article carefully to get a better understanding of the hardest college majors.

Let’s get started!

What Makes a Major Hard?

What constitutes the most difficult college majors varies greatly depending on the student specifically and where the student’s natural abilities and inclinations lay.

If you’re not very good at a subject and/or don’t have strong enthusiasm for or interest in it, it’ll be more difficult for you to succeed in that major.

By contrast, if you are exceptionally talented in a subject and are dedicated to learning it, you will likely find that major to be easier than other disciplines in which you have less experience and is less motivated.

Any college degree could be difficult depending on how you define “hard. “

Reasons that Could Make a College Major Hard for Students?

Most studies examine one crucial aspect which is the amount of time students devote to studying for their classes within the course of their major(s). The more time students devote to homework for their classes and preparing for their exams, the more difficult the major is thought to be, in a way.

This is the main measure used by many websites and surveys. This includes those from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), which published data in 2016 that provided the hours every week that college students were preparing for classes.

According to the study, “preparing for class” includes everything from homework and preparing for exams to writing and reading.

Certain websites and organizations view majors as hard, based on the following:

  • The number of all-nighters that students have been able to pull off.
  • The level of high or low the average GPA of the particular field will be (in other terms, the lower the GPA, the more difficult that major is considered to be).
  • The number of students who complete a major within four years; there are other factors to consider, certain majors that require students to take longer than the typical bachelor’s timeframe to complete may be more challenging (or in the extreme minimum and more time-consuming).

What are the Hardest College Majors that pay well?

If you enjoy challenging degrees that require you to constantly sit and think, then here are the hardest college majors that will pay you well:

25 Hardest College Majors that pay well

#1. Petroleum Engineering

Despite this major being one of the hardest college majors, they assist in the discovery of oil and gas for any country’s energy needs. Petroleum engineers create methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits beneath the Earth’s surface.

Early career pay $93,200

#2. Operations Research & Industrial Engineering

Industrial Engineering & Operations Research is a combination of two disciplines concerned with the operation of complex systems making it the hardest college major.

Students learn to model and solve systems-level engineering problems using statistically rooted frameworks. The goal of Industrial Engineering is to make people and processes safer, more efficient, and effective.

Early career pay $84,800

#3. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

This is an interdepartmental major for students interested in combining work in these two fields.

It focuses on discrete and continuous mathematics, algorithm analysis and design, digital and analogue circuits, signals and systems, systems programming, and computer engineering. It provides coherence in its core program while allowing for flexibility in technical electives.

Early career pay $108,500

#4. Interaction Design

The Bachelor of Science in Interactive Design program offers students an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to developing the technical, theoretical, and problem-solving skills required of interaction designers and user interface designers.

Early career pay $68,300

#5. Marine Transportation Management

A Marine Transportation Management degree is a higher education degree program that focuses on the operational study of navigation, cargo handling and storage, controlling the safe operation, and caring for people on board the ship.

The degree program includes modules in Maritime Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, General Management, Maritime Law, Finance Management, Economics, and Business Communication, as well as supporting modules in Basic Mathematics, Business Statistics, and Business Etiquette.

Early career pay $78,201

#6. Pharmacology

The study of how a drug affects a biological system and how the body responds to the drug is known as pharmacology. The field of study includes the origins, chemical properties, biological effects, and therapeutic applications of drugs.

Early career pay  $86,305

#7. Applied Economics and Management

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics program is a comprehensive program that prepares students for careers in business, finance, national, state, and local government, public and private research organizations, and nonprofit organizations.

Early career pay $66,100

#8. Actuarial Mathematics

This is a broad-based business discipline that focuses on the study of mathematics, statistics, accounting, economics, and finance, as well as their application to long-term financial management.

Early career pay $64,300

#9. Electrical Power Engineering

The goal of the Electrical Power Engineering Technology program is to provide students with a high-quality applications-oriented undergraduate education based on cutting-edge electrical technology equipment.

Early career pay  $76,100

#10. Aeronautical science

This is the primary engineering discipline concerned with the design of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major branches, which overlap: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. Avionics engineering is similar to aerospace engineering, but it focuses on the electronics side of things.

Early career pay  $77,600

#11. Systems Engineering

This field of study allows for the creation, analysis, and management of systems, whether they are electrical, mechanical, chemical, biological, or involve business processes and logistics.

Systems engineering extends beyond the physical nature of what is designed or managed—if “it” consists of multiple interacting components performing a function that cannot be accomplished by any one component alone, “it” is a system, and systems engineers can work to understand and improve it.

Early career pay   $77,700

#12. Econometrics

Bachelor’s degrees in econometrics teach students how to incorporate empirical content into theories so that they can be analyzed and evaluated.

Statistical theory contributes to the development of econometric models and methods that aid in the resolution of economic problems.

Observations are typically used to collect data, which is then processed using standard statistical models. As a statistical technique, regression analysis plays an important role in econometrics and contributes to problem-solving.

Early career pay  $64,200

#13. Building Science

This major also known as ‘building physics,’ is a branch of engineering that studies the physical behaviour of buildings and their effects on energy efficiency, comfort, health, safety, and durability, among other things.

It is the application of physical principles to the built environment. Understanding building science is essential for optimizing building design and maximizing building performance.

Early career pay $53,800

#14. Chemical Engineering

This is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the transformation of raw materials into useful products. Chemical engineers work on developing and optimizing the processes that are used to create and refine products.

Chemical engineers also strive to develop better materials with improved properties that are more durable and last longer.

Mechanics, thermodynamics, chemical reaction kinetics, and process design are some of the topics covered in this program. These engineering and scientific principles will be useful in your research and analysis. You will also improve your problem-solving and evaluating abilities.

Early career pay $76,900

#15. Cognitive Science

Students who pursue a B.A. in Cognitive Science want to understand how the mind works. They are also likely to be interested in psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, or linguistics, and to want to conduct research in one of these areas.

Cognitive Science is a multidisciplinary, integrative, and experimental approach to studying how humans, animals, and machines process information. A Cognitive Science graduate who is skilled in the analysis of cognitive and decision-making processes is well-prepared for a rewarding career.

Early career pay  $68,700

#16. Physics & Astronomy

This hard college major is required for all sciences and is critical for modern technology. Physics is concerned with the concepts of space, time, and motion, as well as conservation, fields, waves, and quanta, Astronomy, Computational and Theoretical Physics, Experimental Physics, Geophysics, Industrial and Condensed Matter Physics, Medical and Biophysics, and Solar Energy Physics are some of the more specialized areas of physics.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers courses in most of the above areas of Physics, and the programs have wide applications in industries, government, educational institutions, meteorology and aeronautics, metallurgy and mining, and other fields of engineering, medicine, business, and agriculture.

Early career pay $66,600

#17. Computer engineering

This one-of-a-kind program incorporates digital design elements from electronic engineering programs while also emphasizing computer software engineering. The program focuses on the rapidly growing fields of embedded systems, network computing, internet protocols, and applications.

Study modules will cover the fundamentals of each discipline, including programming, circuit design, communications, and signals.

Early career pay  $79,000

#18. Marine Engineering

The discipline of marine engineering deals with the design, innovation, construction, and maintenance of seagoing vessels and navigation equipment.

Marine engineers are primarily concerned with the design and manufacture of internal systems for boats, ships, and submarines.

They design propulsion systems, auxiliary power machinery, and operational equipment. Their technical responsibilities also include onboard maintenance of these systems.

Other fields that are closely related to marine engineering include naval architecture, nautical sciences, oceanographic engineering, and automotive and mechanical engineering.

These study areas necessitate a strong understanding of physics, specifically fluid mechanics, propulsion, applied mathematics, control engineering, and computer-aided design.

Early career pay  $79,900

#19. Mechatronics

This is a new field that combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to design, build, and operate intelligent machines.

Early career pay $72,800

#20. Nuclear engineering

Nuclear engineering is concerned with enabling the peaceful use of the atom to produce electricity, heat, and produce products containing radiation and radioactive materials.

There are numerous opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge and experience in many areas of the field within the School of Nuclear Science and Engineering.

Undergraduate students have numerous opportunities to participate in research activities conducted by our faculty and graduate students, and research, development, and testing are school hallmarks.

Early career pay  $76,400

#21. Mining Engineering

This is the extraction of minerals from beneath, above, or on the ground in the engineering discipline.

Mineral processing, exploration, excavation, geology and metallurgy, geotechnical engineering, and surveying are all related to mining engineering.

Early career pay $78,800

#22. Mechanical engineering

Engineers in this field design and develop almost everything, from the smallest nanotechnology to cars and buildings, aeroplanes, and space stations.

The field of study is a combination of science, math, and computer science. It is the study of machinery, as well as how to build and maintain it at all levels.

It’s a vast subject with applications ranging from automobiles to cities, energy to artificial intelligence, military to healthcare, and everything in between.

Early career pay  $71,000

#23. Industrial Engineering

The emphasis of Industrial Engineering is on how to improve processes or design things that are more efficient and waste less money, time, raw materials, manpower, and energy while adhering to safety standards and regulations.

Industrial engineers may use their knowledge of math, physics, and social sciences to analyze, design, predict and evaluate the outcomes and bottlenecks of processes and devices.

They ensure that your phone fits in your pocket while still having a lot of processing power and not overheating, or that it won’t burst into flames while you’re flying in a plane. As you might expect, there is a high demand for capable industrial engineers around the world.

Early career pay $71,900

#24. Automotive engineering degree 

An Automotive Engineering degree is a subfield of engineering and technology that focuses on designing new vehicles or finding ways to improve existing machine technology and systems.

This hard college major is an interdisciplinary subject that combines knowledge from several disciplines, including Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, and Materials Science.

The automotive industry’s future appears to be bright, as engineers continue to develop the next generation of hybrid vehicles while also being at the forefront of innovations such as flying or self-driving vehicles.

Mechanical, electrical, electronic, safety, and software engineering tools and methods are used in Automotive Engineering courses. These tools enable engineers to combine functionality, safety, and aesthetics to create perfect driving machines.

Early career pay $67,300

#25. Energy Management degree

You’ll need an education in energy management if you want to help businesses become more energy efficient as a sustainability consultant or represent oil and gas companies as a landman.

The Energy Management program provides a thorough understanding of the energy and mineral exploration industries.

Land and resource management principles are also taught to students from the perspectives of business administration, economics, geology, and environmental studies.

Early career pay $72,300

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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Which degree is the hardest that pays well?

The hardest degree that pays well is mainly found in the field of engineering and medicine, they are as follows: Petroleum Engineering Operations Research & Industrial Engineering Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Interaction Design Marine Transportation Management Pharmacology Applied Economics and Management Actuarial Mathematics Electrical Power Engineering Aeronautical Engineering Systems Engineering Econometrics.

What is the hardest degree to earn in college?

Architecture Major. The Architecture major is the most difficult school major for students to complete in the US.

Which major gets paid the most?

Petroleum engineering major pays the most. A petroluem engineers early career pay is at least $93,200.

What majors are in demand?

Majors in high demand around the world include: Nursing Culinary arts Computer science Business administration Accounting Physical therapy Medical assisting Mathematics and statistics Information science Finance Psychology Marketing Civil engineering Instructional design Systems engineering Economics Public relations Education Criminal justice Sports science Biology Chemistry Agricultural science.

Conclusion 

You are free to choose the college major that best suits your interests. While researching the most difficult college majors that pay well, consider your natural talents, passion, and career opportunities.

Best wishes!

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