The 20 College Majors That Lead To The Most Satisfying Careers

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20. Foods & Nutrition

20. Foods & Nutrition

Grads who find their job meaningful: 71%

Average starting salary: $39,100

Average mid-career salary: $59,800

Potential careers: Clinical nutrition manager, supermarket department manager, operations manager for a fast-food chain.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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19. Nuclear Engineering

19. Nuclear Engineering

Grads who find their job meaningful: 71%

Average starting salary: $67,000

Average mid-career salary: $118,800

Potential careers: Nuclear engineer, director of engineering, engineering technician.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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18. Exercise Science

18. Exercise Science

Grads who find their job meaningful: 72%

Average starting salary: $34,400

Average mid-career salary: $53,400

Potential careers: Computer science professor, biology professor, earth science professor.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

17. Dietetics

17. Dietetics

Grads who find their job meaningful: 73%

Average starting salary: $44,000

Average mid-career salary: $59,100

Potential careers: Certified dietary manager, high school teacher, social work coordinator.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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16. Child & Family Studies

16. Child & Family Studies

Grads who find their job meaningful: 74%

Average starting salary: $44,000

Average mid-career salary: $59,100

Potential careers: Social worker, family doctor, nurse practitioner.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

15. Theology

15. Theology

Grads who find their job meaningful: 75%

Average starting salary: $36,800

Average mid-career salary: $51,600

Potential careers: Teacher, doctor, clergy.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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14. Early Childhood & Elementary Education

14. Early Childhood & Elementary Education

Grads who find their job meaningful: 75%

Average starting salary: $32,300

Average mid-career salary: $40,400

Potential careers: Elementary school teacher.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

13. Social Work

13. Social Work

Grads who find their job meaningful: 75%

Average starting salary: $32,800

Average mid-career salary: $46,600

Potential careers: Social worker.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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12. Human Services

12. Human Services

Grads who find their job meaningful: 75%

Average starting salary: $33,800

Average mid-career salary: $41,300

Potential careers: Sociologist, career counselor, health care assistant.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

11. Biblical studies

11. Biblical studies

Grads who find their job meaningful: 76%

Average starting salary: $34,900

Average mid-career salary: $48,500

Potential careers: Teacher, doctor, clergy.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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10. Therapeutic Recreation

10. Therapeutic Recreation

Grads who find their job meaningful: 77%

Average starting salary: $34,500

Average mid-career salary: $46,900

Potential careers: Therapeutic recreation specialist, recreation director, recreation coordinator.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

9. Special Education

9. Special Education

Grads who find their job meaningful: 77%

Average starting salary: $34,500

Average mid-career salary: $46,800

Potential careers: Special education teacher, educational specialist.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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8. Medical Technology

8. Medical Technology

Grads who find their job meaningful: 78%

Average starting salary: $47,800

Average mid-career salary: $60,200

Potential careers: Information technology manager, medical assistant.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

7. Sports Medicine

7. Sports Medicine

Grads who find their job meaningful: 78%

Average starting salary: $37,300

Average mid-career salary: $62,700

Potential careers: Trainer, physical therapist.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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6. Early Childhood Education

6. Early Childhood Education

Grads who find their job meaningful: 78%

Average starting salary: $29,700

Average mid-career salary: $38,000

Potential careers: Early childhood educator, special education teacher.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

5. Athletic Training

5. Athletic Training

Grads who find their job meaningful: 78%

Average starting salary: $35,000

Average mid-career salary: $45,900

Potential careers: Training manager, physical trainer.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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4. Child Development

4. Child Development

Grads who find their job meaningful: 80%

Average starting salary: $32,200

Average mid-career salary: $36,400

Potential careers: Teacher, counselor.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

3. Clinical Laboratory Science

3. Clinical Laboratory Science

Grads who find their job meaningful: 83%

Average starting salary: $48,000

Average mid-career salary: $59,900

Potential careers: Medical laboratory technology, clinical laboratory scientist.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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2. Nursing

2. Nursing

Grads who find their job meaningful: 83%

Average starting salary: $56,900

Average mid-career salary: $73,600

Potential careers: Nurse, nursing manager.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

1. Pastoral Ministry

1. Pastoral Ministry

Grads who find their job meaningful: 93%

Average starting salary: $36,300

Average mid-career salary: $46,000

Potential careers: Pastor, ministry director, children's ministry director.

Source: Payscale 2014-2015 College Salary Report

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Now take some advice on how to navigate your career

Now take some advice on how to navigate your career

Excellent Career Advice From LinkedIn's Billionaire Founder Reid Hoffman >