Question 1

How do I choose a college major?

Accepted Answer

Start with subjects you enjoy, skills you want to develop, and careers you might pursue. Compare required courses, likely occupations, earnings, and program costs. Talk with advisers and people working in the field before committing. General information, not drawn from a MajorPays dataset.

Question 2

Which college majors pay the most?

Accepted Answer

There is no single answer for every school or person, and a field's median hides a wide spread. Among bachelor's fields with at least 20 reporting schools in our data, the highest median earnings four years after graduating are: Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration ($116,539); Computer Engineering ($109,015); Computer Science ($107,009); Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($100,647); Industrial Engineering ($98,442); Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($98,207); Chemical Engineering ($98,158); Construction Management ($95,124). These are medians for all graduates nationally who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled. Compare programs at the schools you are considering, and see each field's middle-half range on its page. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 3

Which majors have the lowest earnings?

Accepted Answer

Median earnings four years after graduating run from $39,775 to $116,539 across bachelor's fields with at least 20 reporting schools in our data. MajorPays does not publish a "lowest" list, because a low early-career median does not mean a degree has no value and depends heavily on school, place and later study. Every major page shows its own figures and middle-half range. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 4

Is computer science still a good major?

Accepted Answer

MajorPays does not say whether a major is "good"; here is what the data shows. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer science earned a median of $107,009 four years after graduating (the middle half earned $74,830 to $152,038); graduates who borrowed typically owed about $23,200 in federal loans. The federal crosswalk links this field to 26 occupations; the largest by employment, with national median pay, are Software Developers ($135,980); Computer and Information Systems Managers ($175,140); Data Scientists ($120,230); Information Security Analysts ($129,180); Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers ($104,300). Of the linked occupations, 2 typically require a master's, doctoral or professional degree, so check each occupation's entry requirements. A link between a field and an occupation is not a guarantee of that job. See the Computer Science major page for schools that report these figures. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 5

What can I do with a psychology degree?

Accepted Answer

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in psychology earned a median of $50,706 four years after graduating (the middle half earned $35,740 to $67,229); graduates who borrowed typically owed about $25,500 in federal loans. The federal crosswalk links this field to 14 occupations; the largest by employment, with national median pay, are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($100,580); Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary ($80,340); Social Science Research Assistants ($61,990); Industrial-Organizational Psychologists ($193,950). Of the linked occupations, 6 typically require a master's, doctoral or professional degree, so check each occupation's entry requirements. A link between a field and an occupation is not a guarantee of that job. See the Psychology, General major page for schools that report these figures. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 6

What can I do with a biology degree?

Accepted Answer

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in biology earned a median of $57,214 four years after graduating (the middle half earned $38,929 to $79,199); graduates who borrowed typically owed about $25,000 in federal loans. The federal crosswalk links this field to 17 occupations; the largest by employment, with national median pay, are Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education ($72,040); Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists ($103,410); Natural Sciences Managers ($167,220); Biological Technicians ($57,510); Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary ($84,620). Of the linked occupations, 2 typically require a master's, doctoral or professional degree, so check each occupation's entry requirements. A link between a field and an occupation is not a guarantee of that job. See the Biology, General major page for schools that report these figures. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 7

What can I do with an English degree?

Accepted Answer

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in English language and literature earned a median of $48,590 four years after graduating (the middle half earned $33,654 to $63,810); graduates who borrowed typically owed about $24,500 in federal loans. The federal crosswalk links this field to 3 occupations; the largest by employment, with national median pay, are Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education ($72,040); English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary ($78,760); Proofreaders and Copy Markers ($51,120). Of the linked occupations, 1 typically require a master's, doctoral or professional degree, so check each occupation's entry requirements. A link between a field and an occupation is not a guarantee of that job. See the English Language and Literature, General major page for schools that report these figures. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 8

What can I do with a business degree?

Accepted Answer

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in business administration and management earned a median of $68,257 four years after graduating (the middle half earned $47,618 to $93,584); graduates who borrowed typically owed about $26,000 in federal loans. The federal crosswalk links this field to 72 occupations; the largest by employment, with national median pay, are General and Operations Managers ($105,770); First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers ($69,500); First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers ($48,520); Project Management Specialists ($102,320); Management Analysts ($101,860). Of the linked occupations, 2 typically require a master's, doctoral or professional degree, so check each occupation's entry requirements. A link between a field and an occupation is not a guarantee of that job. See the Business Administration, Management and Operations major page for schools that report these figures. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 9

What does the data show for nursing majors?

Accepted Answer

Requirements for licensed nursing roles vary by state and credential. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in registered nursing earned a median of $88,910 four years after graduating (the middle half earned $67,853 to $114,470); graduates who borrowed typically owed about $27,000 in federal loans. The federal crosswalk links this field to 10 occupations; the largest by employment, with national median pay, are Registered Nurses ($97,550); Medical and Health Services Managers ($123,860); Nurse Practitioners ($132,300); Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary ($80,250); Nurse Anesthetists ($236,590). Of the linked occupations, 4 typically require a master's, doctoral or professional degree, so check each occupation's entry requirements. A link between a field and an occupation is not a guarantee of that job. See the Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing major page for schools that report these figures. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 10

What does the data show for engineering majors?

Accepted Answer

Among the 12 bachelor's engineering fields with at least 20 reporting schools in our data, median earnings four years after graduating range from $81,171 to $109,015 depending on the field. Programs differ in specialization, so look at the specific field and the schools that offer it on its major page. A degree does not guarantee a job. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); MajorPays majors pages.

Question 11

How do people weigh pay and interest when choosing a major?

Accepted Answer

MajorPays does not tell anyone what to choose. The data can show how much pay differs between fields, but it varies widely within a field too (each major page shows the middle half of graduates). Pay, debt, job openings and the kind of work are all things people compare; Career Compass lets you start from a field and see where it leads. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 12

Does a major guarantee a career?

Accepted Answer

No. A major can prepare you for a range of jobs, and many jobs recruit from several majors. Major-to-career crosswalks describe relationships, not guaranteed placements. Source: NCES with BLS, CIP-to-SOC crosswalk.

Question 13

How can I compare the same major at different colleges?

Accepted Answer

Compare curriculum, net price, program outcomes, graduation rates, and available earnings data. Use the same degree level and measurement year when possible, and check for suppressed data. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 14

What jobs pay more than $100,000 a year?

Accepted Answer

Of the 990 careers on MajorPays with wage data, 209 have a national median annual wage of $100,000 or more (May 2025; some careers are specialties of the same federal occupation). Among them, the largest occupations by employment include General and Operations Managers ($105,770); Software Developers ($135,980); Project Management Specialists ($102,320); Management Analysts ($101,860); Financial Managers ($166,570); Lawyers ($159,670). Pay varies by state and employer, and many of these jobs require a degree, licensing or years of experience, so check each career page. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025); O*NET 31.0 Database (2026), USDOL/ETA, used under CC BY 4.0.

Question 15

Which careers are growing fastest?

Accepted Answer

BLS projects employment growth for 2025 to 2035. Among occupations with at least 50,000 jobs in 2025, the fastest projected growth is: Nurse Practitioners (+41%, about 336,300 jobs in 2025); Data Scientists (+35%, about 275,600 jobs in 2025); Medical and Health Services Managers (+24%, about 640,400 jobs in 2025); Physical Therapist Assistants (+23%, about 114,100 jobs in 2025); Psychiatric Technicians (+22%, about 161,500 jobs in 2025); Occupational Therapy Assistants (+22%, about 52,200 jobs in 2025). A small occupation can grow quickly yet offer few jobs, so compare percentage growth with the number of openings shown on each career page. Projections are estimates and can change. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2025-2035).

Question 16

What is the difference between job growth and job openings?

Accepted Answer

Growth measures the net change in employment. Openings also include positions created when workers retire or leave an occupation, so openings can be substantial even with slow growth. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2025-2035).

Question 17

What is median salary?

Accepted Answer

Median salary is the middle of an earnings distribution: half earn more and half earn less. It is not an entry-level salary or a promise of what an individual will earn. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Question 18

What is average salary?

Accepted Answer

Average salary is total earnings divided by the number of workers. Very high earners can raise the average, so the median is often better for understanding a typical worker. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Question 19

Do college graduates earn more than high school graduates?

Accepted Answer

On average, yes. In the second quarter of 2026, U.S. full-time workers 25 and older with only a bachelor's degree had median usual weekly earnings of $1,628, compared with $994 for those with a high school diploma and no college (about 64% more). In September 2026, unemployment for people 25 and older was 2.5% for those with a bachelor's degree and higher and 4.4% for those with a high school diploma and no college. These are group averages: outcomes vary widely, and differences can reflect age, field and many other things besides education. See Education pays for the current figures. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey (Usual Weekly Earnings, Q2 2026; Employment Situation, September 2026).

Question 20

Can I get a high-paying job without a four-year degree?

Accepted Answer

Some occupations can. In our data, 71 careers whose typical entry education is a high school diploma, some college, a postsecondary award or an associate degree have a national median wage of $75,000 or more; the largest occupations include First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers ($79,920); Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers ($89,900); Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers ($76,210); First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers ($79,860); Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants ($76,590); Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators ($78,000). Most of them require training, licensing, an apprenticeship or experience. Check each career page for what is required. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025); O*NET 31.0 Database (2026), USDOL/ETA, used under CC BY 4.0.

Question 21

What careers can I enter with an associate degree?

Accepted Answer

In O*NET data, 57 occupations list an associate degree as the typical entry education; the largest by employment include Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education ($38,140); Paralegals and Legal Assistants ($62,890); Radiologic Technologists and Technicians ($80,110); Dental Hygienists ($98,100); Computer Network Support Specialists ($76,220); Respiratory Therapists ($82,280) (national median wage in parentheses). Check local licensing rules and what employers in your area require. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025); O*NET 31.0 Database (2026), USDOL/ETA, used under CC BY 4.0.

Question 22

How do I find careers related to my major?

Accepted Answer

Start with a major-to-occupation mapping, then inspect job duties, typical entry education, wages, and outlook. A mapping shows possible connections, not the jobs graduates actually obtained. Source: NCES with BLS, CIP-to-SOC crosswalk; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Question 23

How do I find majors related to a career?

Accepted Answer

Look up the occupation’s education requirements, then identify programs that teach relevant skills. Some careers accept multiple majors, while regulated professions have specific pathways. Source: NCES with BLS, CIP-to-SOC crosswalk; O*NET 31.0 Database (2026), USDOL/ETA, used under CC BY 4.0.

Question 24

What is O*NET?

Accepted Answer

O*NET is a U.S. Department of Labor occupational information resource describing work tasks, skills, knowledge, and related characteristics. It complements BLS wage and outlook data. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (2026), USDOL/ETA, used under CC BY 4.0.

Question 25

What is the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook?

Accepted Answer

It is a federal reference describing occupations, typical education, pay, work environments, and projected employment. Figures represent occupations, not the earnings of graduates from a particular college. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Question 26

Are national salaries the same as local salaries?

Accepted Answer

No. Wages vary by geography, employer, industry, and experience. Use state or metropolitan wage data when considering where to work. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Question 27

Which careers require graduate school?

Accepted Answer

In O*NET data, 128 occupations list a master's, doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education, including many advanced clinical, legal, research and academic careers; the largest by employment include Lawyers ($159,670); Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors ($59,350); Mental Health Counselors ($59,350); Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors ($64,330); Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary ($105,870); Nurse Practitioners ($132,300). Licensing rules differ by state and occupation, so check the specific requirements. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (2026), USDOL/ETA, used under CC BY 4.0; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Question 28

Will artificial intelligence replace my career?

Accepted Answer

MajorPays does not measure how exposed any occupation is to AI, so it cannot answer this with data. BLS employment projections (2025 to 2035) show expected growth or decline for each occupation, but they are estimates. Look at which tasks in a job can be automated, which need human judgment, and how skills are changing. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2025-2035).

Question 29

What is an entry-level job?

Accepted Answer

An entry-level role generally requires limited prior work experience, though definitions vary. A BLS occupational median includes workers at many experience levels and should not be treated as starting pay. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Question 30

How often do career projections change?

Accepted Answer

BLS periodically releases updated employment projections and wage estimates. Check the reference years shown with each figure rather than assuming all datasets describe the same period. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2025-2035).

Question 31

Are college graduates satisfied with their jobs?

Accepted Answer

In the National Science Foundation's 2023 National Survey of College Graduates, 44% of employed college graduates said they were very satisfied with their principal job, 46% somewhat satisfied, 8% somewhat dissatisfied and 2% very dissatisfied. The survey reports satisfaction by occupation, not by major; see Job satisfaction of college graduates for the table. Satisfaction is self-reported and the differences between groups are often small. Source: U.S. National Science Foundation, NCSES, National Survey of College Graduates 2023 (Table 3-2).

Question 32

How much do graduates earn after college?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the school, program and credential. MajorPays shows the median earnings of a school's former students 6 to 10 years after they enrolled (on each school profile) and of graduates in a field four years after finishing (on each major page), both from the College Scorecard and covering people who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled. Check which graduates a figure includes, and see Real graduate earnings. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 33

Can I see graduate earnings several years after finishing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in two ways. College Scorecard figures cover earnings several years after enrolling or finishing, and the Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) show earnings at 1, 5 and 10 years after graduation for participating schools. MajorPays shows PSEO figures on Real graduate earnings for about 1,050 schools, exactly as published. PSEO is experimental and covers participating states and schools only, so the groups differ from the Scorecard's. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); U.S. Census Bureau, Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (experimental, 2026Q2 release).

Question 34

Can I see earnings ten years after graduation?

Accepted Answer

For participating schools, yes. The Census Bureau's experimental Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) data include earnings 10 years after graduation; MajorPays shows them on Real graduate earnings for about 1,050 schools. Coverage is not universal, and the measured cohort differs from the College Scorecard's. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (experimental, 2026Q2 release); U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 35

Does the college I attend affect earnings?

Accepted Answer

Graduates’ reported earnings differ across institutions, but the comparison alone cannot prove a college caused the difference. Student backgrounds, majors, location, and career choices also matter. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 36

What is college return on investment?

Accepted Answer

College ROI compares benefits, such as additional earnings, with costs, including tuition, living expenses, time, and borrowing. Results depend on assumptions and should not be reduced to one universal score. General information, not drawn from a MajorPays dataset.

Question 37

Why are some graduate earnings figures missing?

Accepted Answer

Data may be unavailable because a program is small, privacy protections suppress a figure, or a source does not cover the group. Missing data does not mean zero earnings. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 38

Are graduate earnings the same as occupational wages?

Accepted Answer

No. Graduate earnings describe a defined group of former students; occupational wages describe people working in a job, often across many majors and experience levels. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 39

What does four years after graduation mean?

Accepted Answer

It refers to a source-defined measurement point after completion. Always inspect the data definition: some sources measure after entry rather than graduation, and the population covered may differ. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 40

Do earnings figures account for inflation?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the source and page. MajorPays states the dollar year on each figure; for example, major-page earnings are in 2021 dollars. Earnings from different years should be put in comparable dollars before you compare changes in purchasing power. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 41

Can I compare bachelor’s and master’s earnings?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but compare like-for-like fields, schools, and measurement periods. Graduate degree holders may differ in work experience and prior earnings, so the difference is not necessarily caused by the degree. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 42

Does a graduate degree always increase pay?

Accepted Answer

No. The payoff depends on field, tuition, debt, time out of the workforce, and whether the credential is required for advancement. General information, not drawn from a MajorPays dataset.

Question 43

What is the earnings premium of a college degree?

Accepted Answer

It is the difference in earnings between groups with different education levels. Such comparisons are descriptive and do not automatically identify the causal benefit for a specific student. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey (Usual Weekly Earnings, Q2 2026; Employment Situation, September 2026).

Question 44

Why do two government datasets show different salaries?

Accepted Answer

They may use different populations, years, definitions, or statistical methods. Check whether each measures graduates, workers, wages, or taxable earnings before comparing. General information, not drawn from a MajorPays dataset.

Question 45

What does a school-level earnings median measure?

Accepted Answer

It summarizes earnings for a defined group associated with an institution, not necessarily every graduate or every major. Check the population and years included. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 46

Can I use earnings data to predict my own salary?

Accepted Answer

No. Group medians are useful context, but individual outcomes depend on occupation, region, experience, skills, and many other factors. General information, not drawn from a MajorPays dataset.

Question 47

How do I compare earnings with student debt?

Accepted Answer

Compare debt at completion with earnings for the same program and credential where available. Also estimate monthly payments and remember the two measures may cover different student groups. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 48

What does privacy suppression mean in education data?

Accepted Answer

Agencies sometimes withhold small or sensitive results to protect individuals. A suppressed figure is unknown, not zero, and should never be imputed without disclosure. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 49

What is the difference between tuition and net price?

Accepted Answer

Tuition is the published charge for instruction. Net price is the average price students actually pay after grants and scholarships, so it is usually more useful for comparing affordability. In our 2023 data, the median reported average net price at four-year public schools is $13,298 (798 schools), at four-year private nonprofit schools $22,972 (1,232), and at four-year private for-profit schools $27,446 (218). Your own price depends on your aid; each school profile shows net price by family income. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, IPEDS; U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 50

What is cost of attendance?

Accepted Answer

A college's cost of attendance is its estimate of a year's cost: tuition and fees plus books, supplies, living expenses, transportation and some other costs. It is a budgeting estimate, not necessarily the amount billed. MajorPays shows published in-state tuition and fees plus books, room and board and other expenses (on campus when reported). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, IPEDS.

Question 51

What is the FAFSA?

Accepted Answer

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to apply for federal student aid. States and institutions may also use FAFSA information for their programs. Apply through the official government site. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

Question 52

Is FAFSA free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Submitting the FAFSA is free at StudentAid.gov. You do not need to pay a company to file it. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

Question 53

When should I complete FAFSA?

Accepted Answer

Complete the form for the academic year you plan to attend as soon as practical after it opens. Federal, state, and school deadlines can differ, so verify all three. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

Question 54

What is a Pell Grant?

Accepted Answer

A federal Pell Grant generally helps eligible undergraduate students with financial need and ordinarily does not require repayment, subject to program conditions. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

Question 55

What is the difference between a grant and a loan?

Accepted Answer

A grant generally does not need repayment if conditions are met. A loan must be repaid, typically with interest, under its terms. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

Question 56

What is work-study?

Accepted Answer

Federal Work-Study provides part-time employment opportunities for eligible students. An award does not guarantee a job or mean funds are automatically credited to your bill. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

Question 57

How do I compare financial aid offers?

Accepted Answer

Calculate each school’s total attendance cost minus grants and scholarships, then separate loans and work-study from free aid. Compare remaining costs, borrowing needs, and renewal conditions. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov); U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, IPEDS.

Question 58

How much student debt is too much?

Accepted Answer

MajorPays does not set a number: there is no single safe amount, and this is not advice. The data can show what is typical: each major page shows the typical federal debt of graduates who borrowed and their median earnings, so you can compare the two for the same field. Estimate your own monthly payments at realistic interest rates and compare them with your expected take-home pay. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

Question 59

What is the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility and interest treatment differ. For qualifying subsidized federal loans, the government covers interest during certain periods; unsubsidized loans generally accrue interest from disbursement. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

Question 60

Can community college lower my total cost?

Accepted Answer

Often, especially if credits transfer. In our 2023 data, the median reported average net price at public two-year colleges is $8,304 (825 schools), compared with $13,298 at four-year public schools. Confirm transfer agreements, degree requirements and financial aid first; see Community college paths. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, IPEDS; U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 61

Is a private college always more expensive?

Accepted Answer

No. Published tuition is often higher, but grants can change the price a lot. In our 2023 data the median reported average net price at four-year private nonprofit schools is $22,972, versus $13,298 at four-year public schools, and the spread among schools is wide. Compare each school's net price, which depends on your aid. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, IPEDS; U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution).

Question 62

How do I know whether a college is good?

Accepted Answer

Check accreditation, program fit, net price, student support, graduation outcomes, and career information. No single metric captures quality for every student. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard (June 2026 release; Creative Commons Attribution); U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, IPEDS.

Question 63

What is a good graduation rate?

Accepted Answer

There is no cutoff that applies to every school. For reference, among four-year schools with at least 100 students in the bachelor's-seeking cohort in the 2024 IPEDS graduation-rates data, the median six-year graduation rate is 56%, and the middle half of schools range from 44% to 69%. Compare schools that serve similar students and use the same definition, and remember that a rate is one signal, not a measure of quality. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, IPEDS.

Question 64

What is freshman retention rate?

Accepted Answer

It generally measures the share of a defined entering cohort that returns the following fall. Check whether a reported rate applies to full-time first-time students or another group. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, IPEDS.

Questions and answers

Choosing a major

Careers and jobs

Graduate earnings

College costs and financial aid

Choosing and comparing colleges

About MajorPays and the data