Here are 14 of the high-paying jobs you can get with a bachelor's degree — and how to get them

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Here are 14 of the high-paying jobs you can get with a bachelor's degree — and how to get them
  • According to recent data, many Americans are skeptical about the benefits of a college degree.
  • However, some high-paying jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, including many in the field of engineering.

According to recent data, a growing number of Americans are skeptical about the benefits of getting a college degree.

Ipsos, a market research company, found that most Americans believe that getting a college education is too time-consuming and expensive for working adults, according to a nationally representative sample of 1,662 adults aged 18 and over.

While a bachelor's degree may be expensive – even with financial aid and scholarships – there are many industries where people are expected to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree to be considered.

Check out some of the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor's degree, according to the most recent data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:

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Human resource manager

Human resource manager
Human Resources employeeCarlos Osorio/AP

Median pay: $126,230 per year

Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.

How to get it: Candidates usually need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager.

On-the-job training: none

Work experience: 5 years or more

Airline and commercial pilot

Airline and commercial pilot
Digital Vision./Getty Images

Median pay: $134,630 per year

Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.

How to get it: Airline pilots typically need a bachelor's degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot. Commercial pilots typically need flight training, and some employers may require or prefer them to have a degree.

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Work experience: Typically prior flight experience

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Nuclear engineer

Nuclear engineer
Krafft Angerer/Getty Images

Median pay: $120,380 per year

Nuclear engineers research and develop projects or address problems concerning the release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

How to get it: Nuclear engineers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. They typically do not need a license to enter the occupation.

On-the-job training: none

Work experience: none

Advertising, promotions, and marketing manager

Advertising, promotions, and marketing manager
Mad MenAMC

Median pay: $133,380 per year

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.

How to get it: A bachelor's degree is required for most advertising, promotions, and marketing management positions. These managers typically have work experience in advertising, marketing, promotions, or sales.

On-the-job training: none

Work experience: Prior work experience typically preferred to get to a manager role

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Petroleum engineer

Petroleum engineer
Christian Lagerek/Shutterstock

Median pay: $130,850 per year

Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth's surface.

How to get it: Petroleum engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, such as mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering. Cooperative-education programs, in which students gain practical experience while earning academic credit, may be beneficial.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: None

Architectural and engineering manager

Architectural and engineering manager
vm/Getty Images

Median pay: $152,350 per year

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.

How to get it: Architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: 5 years or more

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Computer hardware engineer

Computer hardware engineer
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Median pay: $128,170 per year

Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.

How to get it: Computer hardware engineers typically need a bachelor's degree from an accredited program.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: None

Financial manager

Financial manager
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Median pay: $131,710 per year

Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.

How to get it: Financial managers typically need a bachelor's degree and 5 years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation, such as an accountant or financial analyst.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: 5 years or more

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Natural sciences manager

Natural sciences manager
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Median pay: $137,900 per year

Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists.

How to get it: Natural sciences managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a natural science or a related field. Most natural sciences managers work as scientists before becoming managers.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: 5 years or more

Aerospace engineer

Aerospace engineer
Aerospace EngineerBennett Raglin/AP Images for United Technologies

Median pay: $122,270 per year

Aerospace engineers primarily design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.

How to get it: Aerospace engineers must have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or another engineering field or science related to aerospace systems. Aerospace engineers who work on projects that are related to national defense may need security clearance.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: None

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Compensation and benefits manager

Compensation and benefits manager
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Median pay: $127,530 per year

Compensation and benefits managers plan, develop, and oversee programs to pay employees.

How to get it: Compensation and benefits managers typically need a bachelor's degree and related work experience.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: 5 years or more

Computer network architect

Computer network architect
Technicians using computer in server roomJetta Productions Inc/Getty Images

Median pay: $120,520 per year

Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets.

How to get it: Computer network architects typically need a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field and experience in a related occupation, such as network and computer systems administrators.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: 5 years or more

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Sales manager

Sales manager
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Median pay: $127,490 per year

Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams.

How to get it: Most sales managers have a bachelor's degree and work experience as a sales representative.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: Less than 5 years

Computer and information systems manager

Computer and information systems manager
Maskot/Getty Images

Median pay: $159,010 per year

Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.

How to get it: Typically, candidates need a bachelor's degree in computer or information science and related work experience. Many computer and information systems managers also have a graduate degree.

On-the-job training: None

Work experience: 5 years or more

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