DegreeVerdict
ROI Calculator
ASSOCIATE + BACHELOR’S · ILLUSTRATIVE ECONOMIC ROI

Best ROI majors

Compare degree fields using reported earnings, college-wide average net price, expected study time and earnings forgone while enrolled.

Field familyAll fieldsSTEM & ComputingHealth & ClinicalBusiness & ManagementSocial & Behavioral SciencesEducationArts, Media & HumanitiesLaw & Public ServiceTrades & Applied Fields
Degree levelAssociate + bachelor’sAssociateBachelor’s
Trades & Applied Fields46 qualifying field-and-credential categories
31Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business ServicesAssociate's Degree · institution price context $16,752/yr−71%32Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities ManagementBachelor's Degree · institution price context $16,535/yr−81%33Parks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesBachelor's Degree · institution price context $15,566/yr−82%34Animal SciencesBachelor's Degree · institution price context $17,383/yr−83%35Culinary Arts and Related ServicesBachelor's Degree · institution price context $23,849/yr−92%36Wildlife and Wildlands Science and ManagementBachelor's Degree · institution price context $16,537/yr−99%37Audiovisual Communications Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's Degree · institution price context $27,003/yr−100%38Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's Degree · institution price context $24,996/yr−107%39Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's Degree · institution price context $14,642/yr−114%40Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/TechniciansAssociate's Degree · institution price context $14,829/yr−116%41Agricultural Production OperationsAssociate's Degree · institution price context $14,014/yr−127%42Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessAssociate's Degree · institution price context $12,730/yr−142%43Culinary Arts and Related ServicesAssociate's Degree · institution price context $12,265/yr−157%44Graphic CommunicationsAssociate's Degree · institution price context $7,593/yr−164%45Audiovisual Communications Technologies/TechniciansAssociate's Degree · institution price context $13,781/yr−198%46Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming ServicesAssociate's Degree · institution price context $10,701/yr−297%

The ROI scenario compares reported earnings with a $45,000 annual earnings baseline and includes study-time opportunity cost. Annual cost is the average college-wide net price among institutions reporting the field, not program tuition. Certificate and graduate credentials are excluded because that proxy is not reliable enough for those programs.