The Top 10 Most Profitable College Majors

Some of us go to college for the fulfillment of education. Some of us go to college to build a better life or have a strong career. Whatever your reasons for wanting to go to college, the average salary of your chosen major can make the difference between smiling on your graduation day or wishing you could start all over again.

Here are the ten highest paying majors in college, starting from the highest to the lowest. Maybe after seeing this list, you can figure out how much you want to earn after college is over -- or if you are funding an education, you might steer your student to make different choices.

1. Engineering. I was an engineering major in college. One of the things they don't tell you is that engineering is really difficult. The average first year salary for an engineer is about $59,000 and the average mid-career salary is $101,000. Not bad for a bachelor's degree.

2. Economics. This surprises me because many of my friends who majored in economics never found a job. The high average salary of economics majors is probably skewed by the kids that go to work on Wall Street. Also, economics majors from a business school tend to do better than those who get their degree at a liberal arts college. The average first year salary is about $50,200 and the average salary in the middle of your career is $101,000.

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Celebs' Jobs Before They Were Famous

Mary J. Blige is known for her creatively coiffed crown of hair for good reason...

Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

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Before They Were Famous

Mary J. Blige is known for her creatively coiffed crown of hair for good reason...

Before They Were Famous

Mary J. Blige:
At-Home Hairdresser
From Starpulse.com: "Blige spent the first few years of her life in Savannah, GA, before moving with her mother and older sister to the Schlobam housing projects in Yonkers, NY. Her rough life there produced more than a few scars, physical and otherwise, and Blige dropped out of high school her junior year, instead spending time doing her friends' hair in her mother's apartment and hanging out."

Mary started to make her own way in the world in a profession that many take for granted. The at-home hairdresser is a very important staple of many communities, as she uses her skills to help women who can't afford a professional salon to stay pampered and beautiful. We salute you!

Before They Were Famous

Denzel Washington is no stranger to the hair business himself...

Before They Were Famous

Denzel Washington: Barber
From Tiscali: "It's often been said that the boy picked up his desire to act from the flamboyant communication that went on around him at this time. He certainly picked up a desire to work - the family ethic was very strong - and young Denzel found himself labouring in barber shops and beauty parlours from the age of 11."

The neighborhood barber is an important institution in many communities. Even though they don't get paid much, men's salons are like private social clubs that allow them to relax and connect at an affordable price. Workers in these establishments not only groom the body -- they soothe the soul.

Before They Were Famous

Ellen is known for her dancing, but she used to be a different kind of mover back in the day...

Before They Were Famous

Ellen Degenres: Car Wash Driver
From CareerBuilder.com: "I actually liked my first job. I was driving cars out of a car wash, you know, once the car comes out, you get in and you wipe it. That was exciting to me to drive the nice cars and wipe down the [dashboard] with Emerald."

We often take for granted all the folks at the local war wash. They may be working for little more than tips, but they keep our cars clean and fresh, making a huge positive impact on our daily lives.

Before They Were Famous

Jennifer Lopez has displayed a high level of discipline and organization in plotting her megastar career. She must have learned those skills during one of her first jobs...

Before They Were Famous

Jennifer Lopez: Legal Assistant
From 2spare.com: "Long before Jennifer Lopez sang, danced and acted her way to superstardom, she briefly traded in her velour tracksuit for a suit of the pin-striped variety while working at a law office."

It's hard to imagine someone as driven as Jennifer Lopez being an assistant, but J.Lo paid her dues by helping her bosses meet their goals. It's hard for anybody to put others first, but that's what assistants do in every field. They deserve to be appreciated for this.

Before They Were Famous

Before Angela Bassett became a huge star in front of the camera, she earned her living doing business on the other side of the lens...

Before They Were Famous

Angela Bassett:
Photo Researcher
From Yuddy.com: "After working as a beauty salon receptionist and photo researcher, Bassett got started with her acting career in New York Theater, after which she landed her first role-as a prostitute-in the 1985 TV movie 'Doubletake,' starring Richard Crenna and Beverly D'Angelo. The following year she landed her first official film role as a TV reporter in 'F/X.'"

Whenever we look at a magazine, or in a book with pictures, we are seeing the work of some one like Bassett in her early career. We never think of the faceless, nameless men and women who look for all the photos that illustrate concepts, news and ideas in every facet of our daily lives, ranging from Web sites to education. But every one of those photos was hand-selected by someone, most often an anonymous, but dedicated and not-too-well-paid pro. What would life be like without all the hundreds of pictures we enjoy every day?

Before They Were Famous

3. Physics. Physics is tough, but if you can get through it, you can build a career as a teacher, lab tech or computer programmer. The average starting salary is $51,100 and the average mid-career salary is $98,800.

4. Computer Science. In case you haven't noticed, there are a lot of computers around these days. CS majors earn about $56,400 starting off and get up to about $97,400 mid-career.

5. Statistics. If you like crunching numbers, you can go crunch for a living with a company that might need your expertise. The average statistician's salary is about $48,600 and mid-career salary is $94,500.

6. Biochemistry. Biochem grads can be lab techs or research assistants. This degree also allows you to do more advanced work in medicine and science. The average starting salary is $41,700 and the average mid-career salary is $94,200.

7. Mathematics. This major can be tough, but fulfilling. Math majors can do almost anything, from banking to computer science. The average starting salary of a math major is $47,000 and the average mid-career salary is $93,600.

8. Construction Management. Not sure how you can choose this major in college, since my university didn't have it. But if you find a school that allows you to study construction, you can make pretty good money when you're done. The average starting salary is $53,400 and the average mid-career salary is $89,600.

9. Information Systems. More computers, more money. Information systems analysts work with payroll systems and other things that keep companies and products moving. The average starting salary in this field is $51,400 and the average mid-career salary is $87,000.

10. Geology. This major is about more than just knowing what a rock looks like. Geology includes studying the earth's atmosphere, oceans and land systems. You can also study physical and chemical processes. Given that the world is going green, you can do pretty well with this major. Starting salaries average at $45,000 per year and the average mid-career salary is $84,000.

Lawrence Watkins is the CEO of the Great Gospel Speakers Bureau. For more information, please visit LawrenceWatkins.com.