Amongst the most essential or major college degrees available, the 5 professional degrees that hold the most student debt remain importantly so because of the many academic peripheries by which their students must be certified before they are qualified for competence. Across all parastatals or private enterprises, some special academic courses require academic extras before they can ever be practiced.
Although the truth remains that getting a college degree can still be a great starting point for your career, yet you need to carefully weigh the costs of college, your student loan debt totals, and the average earnings of your major before signing up. If you choose the wrong career, it could make you feel financially stuck or officially indebted to the federal government even after school.
Instead, research online to find the best paying jobs that you would actually enjoy, and work toward a degree that pays well and has a career path you could see yourself sticking to.
Here, you have prepared the 5 professional degrees that hold the most student debt so you may carefully consider them before securing admission on them:
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Psychology
While counselors and psychologists can earn a great income, to become a licensed counselor you typically need more than just a four-year degree. Careers in clinical counseling or social work typically require a master’s degree, while becoming a fully-fledged licensed psychologist may require a Ph.D. This might mean taking on even more school debt to get to the high hourly rate.
Without the prospect of high-paying counseling jobs, those with a four-year general psychology degree can only expect to earn about $43,000 once graduated. This is the equivalent of about $20 per hour, which isn’t much higher than minimum wage in some counties. Pair that with high student loan bills, and it may be difficult to survive with just this degree alone.
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Communications and Media Studies
Getting a job in media would seem like an excellent career path. With the rise of social media and online marketing, there are definitely some high-paying jobs to be had in the field. Unfortunately, simply getting a degree in communications and media studies does not guarantee a great job.
In fact, the average starting salary out of college is only about $49,000 per year. This is due to the relatively modest pay in career fields like journalism, public relations and television writing. As a new graduate, these fields have a lot of competition, making it difficult to climb the career ladder. Over a long enough career, you can definitely earn a good income, but as a graduate with student loan expenses, this career may be difficult.
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Biology
Getting a degree in biology can be a great starting point for a career in medicine and research, but most of those jobs require a more advanced degree. Simply getting a four-year degree in general biology might come with disappointing job prospects and a low starting pay. While you can get entry-level jobs as a technician at a biotech firm or medical research facility, the better-paying jobs are typically reserved for graduates with Master’s degrees (or higher).
The average starting salary of graduates with a Biology degree is about $48,000 per year, which isn’t much more than some trade jobs you can get out of high school. And while earning $4,000 per month may feel like a lot compared to your previous jobs, with taxes, living expenses, and student loan repayment, the money can disappear quickly.
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Dentistry
Among the 5 professional degrees that hold the most student debt is dentistry. It is also known as dental medicine and oral medicine, is the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. It consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the mouth, most commonly focused on dentition as well as the oral mucosa.
Read Also: What is Considered a Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship
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Health and Physical Education
Teaching P.E. class is a great career that can help young kids learn about health and exercise with their peers, but unfortunately it doesn’t pay a lot. Getting a degree in health and physical education is a worthwhile pursuit that can have a positive impact on people, but you might also need to supplement your income to get ahead.
Starting jobs out of college include becoming a physical education teacher, fitness instructor, or an athletic coach. These jobs average about $47,000 per year, which might feel miniscule, especially compared to your debt load and living expenses. If you can supplement your day job with private health or fitness coaching, or building an online program to sell, it can help you pay off your debt quicker.
