We live in the Digital Age where digital technology is a ubiquitous presence. Name an activity in your daily life, and it will likely involve digital technology. Indeed, it changed and continues to change the way we live, from work to socialization.

This is true in the way we access college education and grow our careers, too. Today, we can earn academic degrees in diverse disciplines via online colleges. We can find and apply for jobs through virtual platforms. Furthermore, remote work is possible for many workers.

So, it makes sense that you’ll want to look into the top ROI degrees in the Digital Age. Since you’re surrounded by digital technology, the best careers are in it.

However, degrees in the digital fields can be expensive because of their STEM-heavy nature. Students pursuing bachelor’s degrees can spend $55,000-$130,000 on tuition and fees alone. Add in the indirect costs, such as room and board, and the cost of attendance shoots up.

With a higher cost of attendance comes the risk of higher student loan debt. Graduates with STEM bachelor’s degrees owe about $80,000 in median student loan debt. In contrast, the average student loan debt is $35,530 for a bachelor’s degree (EDI).

With this in mind, you’ll want to choose a Digital Age-appropriate degree with the highest return. This means affordable cost, quality education, and high starting salaries. Even if you have student loans, you can repay them faster. You can then look forward to wealth-building and career-boosting plans.

In this article, we’ll focus on the best degrees for ROI in technology. Cybersecurity, data science, and digital marketing tops our list.

Related:

• Strategies to Improve ROI for Your College Degree
• Long-Term ROI: How Degree Choice Impacts Lifetime Earnings
• ROI of Advanced Degrees: Is Graduate School Worth It?
• ROI Comparison: Public vs. Private Colleges

Why ROI Matters in the Digital Age

Return on investment (ROI) in education matters because it means great things like:

• Recouping the money you spent on your bachelor’s degree.
• Repaying the student loans you’ve taken out, if any, to complete your degree program.
• Earning enough money to enjoy your work and pursue career development opportunities.

Indeed, it isn’t only about the money. It’s also about enjoying the fulfilling life you deserve in the Digital Age.

ROI also matters because of the following factors:

Rising costs of higher education

In 2024, the average annual tuition cost at public universities is 40 times higher than in 1963. The cost of a college education continues to rise, too,

With this in mind, you’re well-advised to seek a technology-centric degree with high ROI.

Demand for tech-driven skills

Fortunately, there’s an increased demand for professionals with proficient knowledge and skills in technology-focused fields. These occupations are among the highest-paid, too.

Most of the featured top ROI degrees in the Digital Age here belong to the computer and information technology occupations. These occupations earn median wages of $104,420/year.

Job market trends

Professionals with proficient digital knowledge and skills are sought-after in diverse industries, too. The healthcare, finance, and marketing industries are among their top employers. Healthcare informatics and digital marketing are among the top ROI degrees in the Digital Age for this reason.

Top ROI Degrees in the Digital Age

Cybersecurity

Average Annual Salary: $90,000-$130,000

Cybersecurity is among the high-paying degrees for the digital era, with six-figure salaries. Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand because of the rise in cyber threats. Their in-demand knowledge and skills are versatile, too, with applications in diverse industries. Both the public and private sectors need them.

Data Science and Analytics

Average Annual Salary: $95,000-$140,000

Yet another of the best-value degrees in digital fields is data science and analytics. Businesses rely on Big Data for their data-driven decision-making processes. Even their strategic planning processes use Big Data. As such, data scientists and analysts are in high demand.

Computer Science

Average Annual Salary: $85,000-$120,000

Computer science is among the top degrees for tech-savvy careers because of its versatility. You’ll learn a wide range of concepts that translate to many distinct occupations. Plus, you can earn industry certifications, too. Your career opportunities include software development, AI, and cloud computing.

Digital Marketing

Average Annual Salary: $60,000-$100,000

Digital marketing is among the best ROI-focused college degrees in tech, too. High demand combined with high salaries make it so. Digital marketers build brand awareness and drive online sales.

Healthcare Informatics

Average Annual Salary: $75,000-$115,000

Healthcare informatics is the intersection of healthcare and information technology. As such, it’s among the high ROI degrees in the digital economy. Professionals are in high demand for their skills in the management of electronic health records and data analysis.

Web Development and UX Design

Average Annual Salary: $70,000-$110,000

Did you know that about three websites are created every second? For this reason, web development and UX design are among the top degrees with the best ROI in tech. Web developers and designers are in high demand among public and private organizations. Their main roles are to create user-friendly websites and applications.

Cloud Computing

Average Annual Salary: $100,000-$150,000

Cloud-based solutions are becoming more popular for organizations. For this reason, cloud computing is among the top digital-age college degrees. Graduates can also establish successful careers in diverse occupations. Cloud infrastructure and architecture are popular. Both support global digital transformation, too.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

Average Annual Salary: $110,000-$160,000

AI and machine learning continue to transform industries, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. But these are high-tech fields that demand specialized skills. Then again, if you’re interested in tech degrees with high earning potential, choose them.

Digital Project Management

Average Annual Salary: $65,000-$105,000

Project managers who can manage digital initiatives are in high demand, too. Plus, their specialized knowledge enables them to lead tech-driven business strategies. Earn a professional certification, too, such as CSM and PMP in addition to a bachelor’s degree.

E-commerce Management

Average Annual Salary: $70,000-$115,000

Global e-commerce is valued at $6 billion – and therein lies a great career opportunity. Earn an e-commerce management degree to take advantage. You’ll manage online retail operations and digital sales strategies.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Degree for ROI

Each one of the featured top ROI degrees in the Digital Age is an excellent choice. However, you must choose based on your unique needs and goals. Here’s what you should consider when doing so.

Program costs and financial aid

Your current finances will have a huge impact on your ability to afford a technology degree. As such, you must consider the total cost of attendance (COA) in choosing one. Be sure to compare the COA with the availability of financial aid. Go for a public university as an in-state student to reduce costs, too.

Job market demand

You should also focus on degrees that result in in-demand skills in high-growth industries. The healthcare, engineering, and business industries are excellent choices. 

Career advancement opportunities

In today’s competitive job market, a bachelor’s degree is a baseline qualification. You’re well-advised to earn professional certifications to get a competitive edge. Internships for experiential learning and industry partnerships for networking are a must, too. Look for these aspects when choosing a degree program.

Alumni success rates

Be sure to consider colleges with strong career services and alumni networks. These can boost your career development opportunities after graduation. Check out the job placement rates, too, to determine alumni success.

Benefits of High ROI Degrees in the Digital Age

While these benefits aren’t guaranteed, you have a starting advantage with the featured top ROI degrees. 

Financial stability

High-paying occupations usually provide long-term financial security, thanks to stable demand. Computer and information technology occupations have a faster-than-average projected growth rate.

Career flexibility

Many of the featured degrees allow for career flexibility. You can pursue more than one occupation with a single degree. For example, a computer science degree can lead to a career as a software developer or a data scientist.

Impact on society

Making a positive impact on society is possible, too, in technology fields. AI and cybersecurity are among the technology fields that improve our daily lives.

Global opportunities

There are no geographical boundaries with digital technology. You can take your digital knowledge and skills anywhere in the world. Remote and international job opportunities are then yours for the taking.

Conclusion

Choosing a high-return technology degree in the Digital Age means getting your money’s worth. You’ll enjoy a rewarding career in high-paying jobs and make a positive impact. So, if you’re considering a college degree, choose high-demand fields like data science, AI, and cybersecurity.

Do you want more valuable insights into high-return degree programs? Come and explore our Value Colleges website! You’ll find a wealth of useful information about affordable, quality, and high-return programs.