It is said that over 1,700 universities in the United States offer master’s degree programs in hundreds of subjects. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of master’s degrees awarded in 2019-20 was 843,400But with over three-quarters of a million students having earned their master’s degree, the question is – how useful were or are they? If one sought graduate-level education only to be qualified and get a “good job,” then the chances are many would be disappointed. A master’s degree is undoubtedly an excellent choice to improve one’s career prospects and pay. Still, one must always check if the degree in question aligns with one’s interests and professional goals. A master’s degree should not end up being cast aside; it should be put to good use, after all that time, effort, and money spent on it. This guide picks out the top 15 most useful master’s degrees that promise excellent career options, high wages, potential growth, and an overall bright outlook.

What Are the Most Useful Master’s Degrees?

Here are the top 15 most useful master’s degrees (not listed by rank) 

  • Computer Science 
  • Nursing 
  • MBAs 
  • Marketing 
  • Software Engineering 
  • Public Health 
  • Finance 
  • Cyber Security 
  • Accounting 
  • Communication 
  • Human Resources 
  • Digital Strategy
  • Psychology 
  • Supply Chain Management 
  • Data Science 

What Universities Offer the Most Useful Master’s Degrees?

Here are the top 15 universities that offer the most useful master’s degrees (not listed by rank): 

  • Sam Houston State University 
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Colorado State University 
  • Southern New Hampshire University 
  • Lamar University 
  • University of Florida 
  • Syracuse University 
  • Purdue University Global 
  • Liberty University 
  • Texas A&M University 
  • Pepperdine University 
  • Arizona State University 
  • Trine University 
  • University of Texas Permian Basin 
  • Capella University 

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Southern New Hampshire University

PROGRAM: Online Masters Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on-campus students and over 60,000 online students, making us one of the fastest-growing universities in the country. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.

We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, over our innovative online platform or at our regional centers in Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem, NH, and Brunswick, ME.

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FAQs on the Most Useful Master’s Degrees

Frequently Asked Questions

Which master’s degrees are the most versatile?

While almost all master’s degrees can be put to good use, some are more versatile than others. Going by popularity, expected salaries, growth opportunities, flexibility, etc., the few best and most versatile degrees that students might choose to build marketable abilities that will better equip them for various careers include Math, Computer Science, Finance, Engineering, Education, Communications, Computer Science, and Business Administration.

What are the most in-demand master’s in the future, and how much do they pay?

The list of most in-demand master’s programs alters with time and changing scenarios. Therefore, it is critical to thoroughly examine degrees with the highest-paying careers and wage and job growth projections. Having done so, it is safe to say that master’s programs in statistics, nursing, finance, petroleum engineering, and taxation are among those in demand and pay well. Graduates with advanced degrees earn up to 28% more than those with only a bachelor’s degree.

How fast can you do a master’s program?

Can you do more than one master’s degree? 

Can you get a master’s in a different field?

What are the highest-paying jobs without a master’s degree?

Most Useful Master’s Degrees: Details

Universities That Offer Most Useful Master’s Degrees: Details

Several universities provide useful master’s degree programs. Various teams at OMC collaborated to research and draw up a list of the best ones providing degrees that we think are excellent options for students. Numerous elements were included in our methodology to curate the list, and all of them were baked into a proprietary formula we used. These elements included: 

  • Affordable Tuition 
  • Program Flexibility 
  • Shorter Durations 
  • Expert Instructors 
  • Multiple Intakes in a Year 
  • No GRE or GMAT Requirements
  • Excellent Student Support Services 
  • Accredited (College and/or Programs) 
  • Availability of Accelerated Programs 
  • Online & On-Campus Programs 
  • Synchronous & Asynchronous Learning 
  • Availability of Financial Aid 
  • Respectable Graduation Rate 
  • Excellent Infrastructure 
  • Variable Curriculum & Coursework 
  • Specialization Options
  • Selection of Programs 
  • Reputation (College & Programs) 
  • Excellent Student-Teacher Ratio 
  • Availability of Extra & Co-curricular Activity 

Here is the list of universities offering some useful master’s degrees (not listed by rank): 

Sam Houston State University is a public university established in 1879 in Huntsville, Texas. The third-oldest university in Texas, its academic departments and programs are organized into 8 colleges offering about 80 undergraduate, 59 master’s, and 10 doctoral degree programs. 

Common Title Established Type Student Enrollment 
SHSU or Sam 1879 Public, Research 21,650+ 
Accreditations Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC+ Programmatic Accreditations 

Popular Programs at SHSU 

Additional Resources on Most Useful Master’s Degrees

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