10 Most Lucrative Degrees For Adults Going Back to School

With the job market currently in a state of flux, many adults are considering returning to school to pursue a degree in a different field. Getting a new degree opens up opportunities for well-paying new jobs, which could significantly lower your financial stress. 

Here are 10 lucrative degree programs for adults going back to school.

Editor's note: All salary data is provided via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

There's a persistent and significant nursing shortage in the United States, so pursuing a nursing program is a surefire way to land a financially rewarding job. You'll need to obtain a nursing degree from an accredited college, either an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN), then take the licensure exam.

With a median pay of $93,600 per year and a 6% growth rate, nursing makes for a great career pivot.

While AI has made a dent in entry-level jobs in this field, there are still plenty of opportunities out there for new graduates. You'll need a degree in computer engineering or something similar, but the area you specialize in will make the biggest impact on your job prospects.

Focus on a specialization in school that will give you the unique skillset needed to thrive. The median wage of a network architect is $130,390, while that of a database administrator is $123,100.

It may not be the most exciting or flashy job on the list, but getting an accounting degree is a solid way to advance your career prospects. Accountants and auditors make a median annual salary of $81,680, and the profession is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade.

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Big data is big business now, with many companies scrambling to find qualified candidates. Getting a degree in data science or data analytics will position you for a well-compensated job in a growing field.

The median wage for data scientists is $112,590, and the entire industry is anticipated to explode by 36% over the next decade as more companies build massive data centers.

As more of life moves online, the risk of hackers and scammers grows, driving demand for cybersecurity professionals to keep people safe.

While having a background or a degree in computer science is a good starting point, finding a specific cybersecurity program is even better.

The median pay for an information security analyst is $124,910 per year, and the field is expected to grow by a whopping 33%.

You can't go wrong with any type of engineering degree, but civil engineering is a solid one with a steady growth rate. In this role, you'll help design, plan, and build large infrastructure projects and buildings.

With a median annual salary of $99,590 and a 6% projected growth rate, this is an industry in need of qualified professionals.

Much like accounting, financial analysis is a solid job that will see you using your mathematics skills coupled with your market knowledge. This type of role will require a bachelor's degree in economics, finance, accounting, or business administration with a focus on math and statistics.

You'll be highly paid for your detailed analysis of forecasting market trends, as the median annual salary is $101,910 and the projected growth rate is 9%.

With health care administrators in high demand, earning a bachelor's in health care administration (or a related field) can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities.

With the scope and cost of health care expected to rise, admins can make a sizable salary, with the median salary for a health services manager $117,960 per year. The expected growth rate over the next decade is 29%.

With the economy becoming more global with each passing day and the rise of e-commerce, becoming a manager of a storage or distribution center is an excellent career move. To make the change, you'll need to acquire a bachelor's degree in supply chain management or a similar field.

Managers make a median annual salary of $102,010, and this industry is expected to grow by 9% over the next decade.

Digital marketing is a booming business, with marketing manager and analyst roles expected to grow by 8% over the next decade. You'll need a bachelor's degree in marketing or a related field to get up to speed with the modern advertising market.

Marketing managers earn $159,660 annually, while market research analysts earn $76,950.

Going back to college as an adult is a great thing for your long-term job prospects and earning potential. Getting a higher-paying job will allow you to stop living paycheck to paycheck while also giving you valuable experience in a bustling sector of the economy. 

Considering that full‑time workers aged 25 and over with only a high school diploma earned a median of $946 per week, while those with a bachelor's degree earned $1,533 per week, going back to college is a surefire way to boost your earnings.