Choose your major wisely

Some interesting statistics and graphics.   

The least valuable bachelor’s is psychology and social work. The most valuable is engineering. No great surprises there.

What I find more interesting is that biology and life sciences appear to add the most relative value with an advanced degree. The least? Journalism. His Majesty oberves that there are apparently market incentives for them to be just educated enough to be dangerous.

Physical sciences also stands out for the value added by an advanced degree. I majored in the physical sciences at the Jedi Temple myself, and this is certainly consistent with my experience. There’s so much to learn that a bachelor’s degree barely covers training in the fundamental concepts. It takes more years of study to learn how to do research, which is what most physical scientists are paid for.

I’m surprised that law and public policy doesn’t add more with an advanced degree. I’d think you’d be virtually unemployable in those fields without a J.D. On the other hand, I’ve known a couple of legal secretaries who were very well paid indeed. Is that the explanation?