Easy degrees that pay well in 2024

Looking for a degree that leads to high-paying jobs, but prefer to avoid challenging coursework? Many lucrative majors, such as business administration, communications, and marketing, cover material that is easy for most students to grasp.

In this article, we reveal the easiest majors that pay well based on program-level earnings data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

What makes a degree “easy”?

A degree’s “easiness” is a subjective metric, and one’s values (e.g., personal, social, and cultural) can influence perceptions of what makes certain fields easier or more challenging.

That said, some subjects require a baseline level of comfort around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) coursework that the average person may not have. Given this obstacle, our rankings of the easiest, well-paying degrees exclude majors that require an advanced STEM background or focus primarily on mathematics or engineering.

Some may associate a degree’s easiness with program duration; 2-year degree programs, or associate degrees, can offer high-paying careers with less debt and fewer years out of the workforce.

Another metric for evaluating a major’s ease is the grade point average of its students, with the idea being that a lower average GPA could point to more challenging coursework. (For that, head to our article on easiest majors in college by average GPA.)

The easiest degrees that pay well in 2024

Many of the highest-paying fields aren’t necessarily the easiest, but exceptions exist. In this year’s roundup, discover the “easiest” majors to access high-paying jobs with minimal stress.

1. Management Information Systems – $72,763

Management information systems (MIS) is a field dedicated to technology that helps businesses organize, store, and use information to inform decision-making. The curriculum includes courses in database design and administration, information system design, and project management. MIS majors can choose specializations in in-demand areas such as accounting, finance, management, or marketing.

Graduates often secure jobs as business systems analysts, data analysts, and technology consultants.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Computer and Information Systems Managers – $169,510
• Database Administrators and Architects – $117,450
• Computer Systems Analysts – $103,800

Best bachelor’s in management information systems

Best-value program: Florida State University’s Management Information Systems major

Annual net price: $6,450

2. Real Estate – $68,719

Real estate is a rewarding field that can offer a comfortable middle-class salary with minimal prior schooling. Students become proficient in real estate law, property valuation and management, mortgage banking, and real estate finance. While many positions in real estate (e.g., real estate agent) do not require a 4-year degree, a bachelor’s in real estate can provide valuable industry connections and a competitive edge in a saturated market.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents – $56,620
• Property Appraisers and Assessors – $61,630
• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers – $62,850

Best bachelor’s in real estate

Best-value program: Florida State University’s Bachelor of Science in Real Estate

Annual net price: $6,450

3. Business/Managerial Economics – $67,685

The business economics major is a discipline of economics that applies economic theories and methods to the business world. Students learn about topics related to the relationship between businesses, consumers, and the economy, such as market economies, consumer willingness to pay, antitrust legislation, and the production, distribution, and consumption of goods.

With a broad knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and business principles in the global context, business economics majors can secure well-compensated entry-level roles in finance, management, and sales.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Financial Risk Specialists – $106,090
• Management Analysts – $99,410
• Financial Analysts – $99,890

Best bachelor’s in business/managerial economics

Best-value program: CUNY Baruch’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics

Annual net price: $3,644

4. Information Technology – $64,310

A bachelor’s in information technology (BSIT) offers hands-on training in computer systems, networks, programming, cybersecurity, database management, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and other in-demand areas. IT grads have a choice of several well-paid tech jobs, including computer support specialist, information security specialist, and database administrator.

While the IT major may appear challenging for those without prior experience with computer systems and networks, its focus on hands-on, project-based learning allows its curriculum to be relatively accessible to the average person.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Computer and Information Systems Managers – $169,510
• Information Security Analysts – $120,360
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators – $95,360

Best bachelor’s in information technology

Best-value program: CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice’s BS in Computer Science & Information Security

Annual net price: $3,780

5. Marketing – $58,618

From advertising to product development to pricing strategies, every successful organization depends on marketing specialists. Drawing from economics, business, and psychology, a bachelor’s in marketing offers a strong foundation in marketing principles and technology for well-paying careers in marketing and related fields like communications, public relations, market research, and sales.

Students choose a specialization in in-demand areas such as digital marketing, brand management, and consumer behavior.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Marketing Managers – $157,620
• Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists – $74,680
• Copywriters and Content Writers – $73,690

Best bachelor’s in marketing

Best-value program: The University of Pennsylvania’s BS in Marketing

Annual net price: $26,138

6. Business Administration – $57,086

A bachelor’s in business administration (BBA) is a general business degree that opens doors to diverse entry-level careers in for-profit and non-profit organizations. The curriculum covers all functional areas of business, from marketing and organizational behavior to finance and accounting. Business administration majors can choose a specialization that aligns with their professional goals, such as human resources, finance, entrepreneurship, and accounting.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Management Analysts – $99,410
• Accountants and Auditors – $79,880
• Human Resource Specialists – $67,650

Best bachelor’s in business administration

Best-value program: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s BS in Business Administration

Annual net price: $12,414

7. Business Communication – $55,990

Business communication is a branch of communications dedicated to messaging around organizations’ strategic needs and goals. Core coursework covers topics such as business writing and presentations, data visualization, marketing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Career opportunities for business communication majors are wide-ranging; graduates often pursue roles in corporate communication, public relations, grant writing, human resources, and marketing.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Public Relations Managers – $134,760
• Public Relations Specialists – $66,750
• Fundraisers – $64,160

Best bachelor’s in business communications

Best-value program: CUNY Baruch College’s BA in Business Communication

Annual net price: $3,644

8. International Relations – $55,587

International relations (IR) is an interdisciplinary discipline in political science. Its curriculum covers areas of interest to foreign security and diplomacy, including international law, international human rights, foreign policy, peace and conflict studies, and international organizations. IR majors often intern in the government, NGOs, embassies, and the U.S. Department of State.

Highly coveted, well-paid positions for international relations majors include those in the foreign service, the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among others. Many pursue graduate-level degrees in related fields (e.g., law).

Common career paths and average salaries

• Foreign Service Officers – $191,000
• Intelligence Analysts – $112,000
• Political Scientists – $132,350

Best bachelor’s in international relations

Best-value program: Stanford University’s International Relations major

Annual net price: $10,851

9. Human Resources Management – $55,204

An undergraduate degree in human resources equips students with the skills for careers in recruiting, compensation, training and development, and employee-employer relations management. The HR major is often part of a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, offering a broader choice of careers in corporate settings.

Human resources majors typically pursue entry-level HR roles such as human resource assistants, human resource generalists, and human resource specialists.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Human Resources Managers – $136,350
• Human Resources Specialists – $67,650
• Training and Development Specialists – $64,340

Best bachelor’s in human resource management

Best-value program: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor’s BBA in Human Resource Management

Annual net price: $16,792

10. Political Science and Government – $54,026

A bachelor’s in political science is an interdisciplinary program that offers coursework in various related disciplines, such as American government, international relations, public policy, and comparative politics. Internships in settings such as policy think tanks, government agencies, and congressional offices (e.g., on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.) allow students to observe the inner workings of political institutions and policies firsthand.

Political science majors are prepared for a broad range of careers in the government, NGOs, and public administration. Many put their analytical skills to use as political analysts, journalists, and researchers.

Common career paths and average salaries

• Political Scientists – $132,350
• Lobbyist – $123,000
• Social Science Research Assistants – $56,400

Best bachelor’s in political science

Best-value program: CUNY Hunter College’s BA in Political Science

Annual net price: $3,296

Other easy degrees with high pay

Haven’t found a degree that speaks to you yet? Below are other easy degrees that offer the potential of high salaries, along with average earnings 4 years after graduation.

Quickest and highest-paying degrees

A 4-year degree can be a significant financial investment and requires stepping away from the full-time workforce for several years. Fortunately, plenty of 2-year (associate) degrees offer pathways to fulfilling, high-paying work.

Below we’ve rounded up the easiest associate degrees that offer good pay. Note that many are skilled trades, and may be physically or technically challenging.

Highest-paying associate degree programs

Degrees that make the most money

Overall, the best-paying majors are operational research, naval architecture and marine engineering, and marine transportation.

However, these are highly specialized fields, with just a handful of schools offering programs in these areas.

Consider the highest-paying majors this year to secure the highest earning potential after graduation. While many are considered challenging for the average person, a bit of effort and persistence could go a long way in securing a comfortable standard of living later.

Final thoughts

In this article, we touched on some of the easier majors that lead to high-paying jobs, whether through a 4-year degree with minimal (or less intense) STEM coursework or an associate degree.

A few other educational paths to well-paying roles to consider include:

• Earning a high-paying online degree
• Going to trade school to pursue a skilled trade
• Pursuing one of the many careers in allied health that require minimal schooling

Whichever path you choose, remember that what is “easy” for you is subjective, and depends on your unique skillset, passions, and career goals. Make sure that those factors, rather than perceived “easiness,” stay top of mind in your search for the right degree.