ASSOCIATE + BACHELOR’S · ILLUSTRATIVE ECONOMIC ROIBest ROI majors
Compare degree fields using reported earnings, college-wide average net price, expected study time and earnings forgone while enrolled.
Trades & Applied Fields19 qualifying field-and-credential categories
1Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/TechniciansAssociate's Degree · institution price context $13,464/yr+154%2Air TransportationAssociate's Degree · institution price context $15,886/yr+152%3Electrical and Power Transmission InstallersAssociate's Degree · institution price context $15,427/yr+75%4Agricultural MechanizationAssociate's Degree · institution price context $8,509/yr+59%5Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and InspectionAssociate's Degree · institution price context $14,541/yr+34%6Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/TechniciansAssociate's Degree · institution price context $14,273/yr+26%7Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/TechniciansAssociate's Degree · institution price context $15,261/yr+24%8Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)Associate's Degree · institution price context $16,312/yr+11%9Precision Metal WorkingAssociate's Degree · institution price context $11,327/yr+2%10Funeral Service and Mortuary ScienceAssociate's Degree · institution price context $17,846/yr−32%11Agricultural Business and ManagementAssociate's Degree · institution price context $14,072/yr−70%12Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business ServicesAssociate's Degree · institution price context $16,752/yr−71%13Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/TechniciansAssociate's Degree · institution price context $14,829/yr−116%14Agricultural Production OperationsAssociate's Degree · institution price context $14,014/yr−127%15Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessAssociate's Degree · institution price context $12,730/yr−142%16Culinary Arts and Related ServicesAssociate's Degree · institution price context $12,265/yr−157%17Graphic CommunicationsAssociate's Degree · institution price context $7,593/yr−164%18Audiovisual Communications Technologies/TechniciansAssociate's Degree · institution price context $13,781/yr−198%19Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming ServicesAssociate's Degree · institution price context $10,701/yr−297%The ROI scenario compares reported earnings with a $45,000 annual earnings baseline and includes study-time opportunity cost. Annual cost is the average college-wide net price among institutions reporting the field, not program tuition. Certificate and graduate credentials are excluded because that proxy is not reliable enough for those programs.