Choose your major.

Attaining at least an associate’s degree puts you on the path to higher lifetime earnings, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Career Outlook Links to an external site.. Median weekly earnings with an associate’s degree are $836, which is higher than others with some or no college.

Earning a degree is an important factor in achieving financial goals. See the impact of majors on lifetime earnings with this interactive feature from The Hamilton Project Links to an external site..

When choosing your major:

  1. Assess your interests using the tools listed earlier in this course.
  2. Identify majors aligned to your preferences based on personality assessment(s).
  3. Research which careers align with the major and talk to people in the major.
  4. Set and evaluate criteria about your major using the DECIDE Worksheet.

If you change your mind about your major, you won’t be alone. The U.S. Department of Education Links to an external site. reports nearly 30 percent of students change majors at least once before graduation. When you start college, being “undeclared” or “undecided” might make sense because it allows you to explore your interests with electives, complete prerequisite courses, have opportunities to discuss majors with advisors and move on to major courses later.

Keep in mind that the average first-time, full-time college student Links to an external site. usually graduates within a four- to six-year period. Changing your major too often can delay your full-time earnings, jeopardizing your financial aspirations and adding to your college costs.

 

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