FOSTER CITY, Calif., Nov. 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Information Technology has been named the most valuable STEM major for a second consecutive time, according to a recent analysis from WorldWideLearn.com. The study evaluated educational affordability and availability alongside economic factors to assess which specific Science, Technology, Engineering and Math majors offer students the best chance to set themselves up for long-term success. IT topped the list in both 2014 and 2015, driven in large part by exceptionally high scores for its career possibilities and the large number of degree programs. Joining Information Technology in the top three were Computer Systems Networking and Computer Programming, and the broader category of computer science dominated the rankings, claiming seven of the top 10 spots.
This category of majors has been a key topic in higher education in recent years, as the cost of college keeps rising and students are increasingly focused on the career possibilities that come with getting a degree. STEM fields are prominently featured on many lists of the fastest-growing jobs for the coming years, and their typically above-average salaries only help their popularity. But the degrees within the four STEM disciplines cover a wide range of topics and skills, which can make it challenging for prospective students to choose which one both suits their interests and offers positive potential outcomes.
To that end, using data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, WorldWideLearn.com ranked 122 STEM majors on four critical factors:
- Educational Opportunity
- Earnings Index
- Employment Opportunity
- Educational Affordability
According to this analysis, the top 10 STEM degrees for 2015 are:
- Information Technology
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunication
- Computer Programming
- Computer and Information Systems Security
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
- Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
- Biological and Physical Sciences
Visit WorldWideLearn.com to to see the full list of the top STEM degrees and how they ranked on specific data categories: http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-rankings/25-stem-majors-with-the-best-value-2015.html
25 STEM Majors with the Best Value: 2015