Recent statistics show that it costs, on average, $37,343 to earn your degree at a public university. Attend a private college and you can effectively quadruple that amount. It’s true that a college degree will open more doors for you, but there are certain degrees that will earn you your money back more quickly.

1.Math
If you love math, forget being a teacher; you’ll spend the better part of career trying to pay for your degree. Instead, use your love of numbers for some of the more lucrative careers in the field. With a math degree, you can land a job as an actuary, an operations research analysis manager, or an accounts payable/receivable manager. Each of these jobs will net you over $70K a year, enabling you to quickly pay off your student loans and start putting your degree to work for you.

2.Human Resources
Most people have the misconception that a human resources manager is the person who controls the hiring and firing in the office. While this may be the case, not all human resource managers work for small business. Some of the highest paying jobs in the field have salaries that top $80,000 per year. For example, a compensation and benefits manager or a recruiting manager both earn big bucks. Keep in mind that if you want to make the money, you’ve got to work for the right company.

3.Biology
You don’t have to become a doctor to enjoy a major in biology; not all of these students are pre-med. Biology is a fantastic major in itself, and it can lead to a job that pays quite well. Laboratory managers, clinical research associates, and health and safety supervisors all have the capacity to earn over $70K each year. Don’t think that you can’t major in biology if you don’t want to be a physician, there are jobs out there that were tailor-made for you.

4.Engineering
Engineering has been a high-paying major since before you were born. If you have excellent problem-solving skills, like to develop products and work with devices, a career as an engineer is a great choice. Chemical engineers, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers all make over $70K a year. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can pay off your loans with this kind of salary.

5.Marketing
A marketing degree is the new advertising degree. As technology blooms, people skilled in marketing are in high demand. If you possess excellent leadership qualities, have a knack for knowing what people want, and can persuade your friends to do anything, consider a major in marketing. You can find a job as a marketing manager, a brand manager, or a public relations manager with your degree, and you’ll earn over $80K.

6.English
People used to make fun of English majors; in fact, many still do. English degrees seem to be synonymous with liberal arts degrees; what the heck are you going to do with it? If you love to read and write, and you have a knack for the intricacies of the English language, there is plenty that you can do with the degree. Speech writer, communications manager, and web content manager are just a few of the titles that you can hold with your degree. At over $70K a year, any of these jobs makes it worth spending your money earning an English degree.

College is expensive; make sure you are spending your money wisely. Although you may think teaching basket weaving to kids is how you want to spend your life, you’ll be spending your life trying to pay for your student loans. Instead, choose a major with a degree that will pay you back for your education and then some; save the basket weaving for a hobby.