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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects millions of job openings through 2034 for workers with degrees in fields like business administration, nursing, accounting, and computer science.
- Four of the top 10 pay more than $100,000.
- A business administration degree qualifies you for six of the 10 occupations with the most projected openings.
This year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics identified the top 10 jobs with the most projected openings from 2024 to 2034 for workers with a bachelor’s degree—and four of them pay six figures.
For students weighing whether college is still worth it, this list offers a roadmap to the degrees most likely to lead to employment.
The Degrees With the Most Openings
Many Americans are wondering if a bachelor’s degree is still worth it, as tuition costs soar and newly minted graduates struggle to find jobs in their field. While the data shows that a college degree is still largely a good investment, that can be cold comfort to graduates sending out hundreds of applications without a single callback.
The good news is that certain degrees can lead to more favorable job prospects. A business administration degree, for example, can qualify you for six of the 10 occupations with the most projected openings through 2034, including accountants, management analysts, and human resources specialists.
Why This Matters
Not all college degrees pay off equally. With tuition costs climbing faster than inflation, choosing a major with strong job prospects can mean the difference between landing work quickly and struggling to find a foothold as you start your career.
Topping the list are general and operations managers, who are expected to see about 308,700 job openings each year. That’s more than any other job requiring a bachelor’s degree. These roles typically involve planning, directing, coordinating, and overseeing multiple departments within public or private sector organizations. Aspiring general or operations managers are generally advised to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or finance.
Other degrees have a narrower path but strong demand. A bachelor of science in nursing leads to registered nurse roles, the second-highest category for openings. A computer science degree can land you a job as a software developer, one of the four six-figure careers on the list.
The table below shows the degrees typically required for each of the top 10 jobs. These aren’t the only credentials that can get you there, but they’re the most common in each field.
| Degrees Commonly Required for the BLS’s Top 10 Job Openings | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Degree Required |
| General and operations managers | Bachelor’s in business administration, management, or finance |
| Registered nurses | Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| Accountants and auditors | Bachelor’s in accounting |
| Software developers | Bachelor’s in computer science or software engineering |
| Business operations specialists, all other | Bachelor’s in business administration or management |
| Managers, all other | Bachelor’s in business administration or management |
| Management analysts | Bachelor’s in business administration, finance, or public administration |
| Elementary school teachers, except special education | Bachelor’s in elementary education or child development. A teaching license is also required |
| Market research analysts and marketing specialists | Bachelor’s in marketing, psychology, or business administration |
| Human resources specialists | Bachelor’s in human resources, business administration, or social science |

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