LU offers ‘Five Most Marketable’ degrees

Competition for jobs is tight these days, but having a marketable degree can make a big difference.

MSN online news source released a report on the “Five Most Marketable College Degrees of 2009” on Wednesday — and Liberty University offers all five of those degrees.

According to MSN reporter Christina Couch, the top degrees are nursing, computer/information science, engineering, economics and education.

“Liberty University offers more than 60 degree programs, and those programs include all of the Top Five Most Marketable Degrees of 2009,” said Chris Johnson, vice president for enrollment management. “It shows that LU is providing what’s needed in today’s job market.”

Here are the top degrees, including links to LU’s specific programs:

Nursing
Liberty’s nursing program is known for its standard of excellence. The starting salary for nurses is over $52,000, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, and MSN says approximately 470,000 jobs are expected to be added to the field between now and 2016.

Computer Science
For the past few years, LU’s graduating seniors have scored in the top 25 percent of the approximately 150 schools in the nation that use the Princeton Major Field assessment exam to determine the quality of their Computer Science program. MSN reported a great outlook for this degree: “While almost everyone else took pay cuts last year, computer science grads saw their average starting salary rise nearly 15 percent between 2007 and 2008.”

Engineering
Liberty University combined its computer science programs with new engineering programs to create the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences in fall 2007. MSN reports that “newbie engineers earn an average salary topping $56,000 per year, not including health care, signing bonuses and company-sponsored retirement plans.”

Economics
Within LU’s School of Business, students may earn a B.S. in Business with a specialization in economics through the school’s Department of Finance and Economics. MSN says: “In addition to a nearly $53,000 average starting salary, economics majors can also expect more job options. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, two of the top 20 fastest-growing occupations require economics or business-related degrees to break in.”

Education
Liberty University offers a strong, fully-accredited teacher education program. According to MSN: “As the baby boomers exit the teaching market, the field will require new blood to move in. The National Educational Association estimates that in the next decade, more than 2 million new teachers will be needed to replace retirees and tend to increasing student populations.”