Which are the most useful college majors?

Does anyone have any recommendations on the most useful college majors these days? I'm not talking just about earning potential but also about the skills acquired, job availability and how they can help in everyday life.

The value of a college major is often a subjective topic because it largely depends on what you consider "useful". However, I can provide a few top picks based on the factors you've mentioned: earning potential, job availability, skill acquisition, and relevance in daily life.

1. Computer Science: With the rise of technology, jobs in this field are plenty and often high-paying. You acquire skills in problem-solving, programming, data analysis, and more. You also often need these skills in daily life (e.g. setting up a home network, understanding basic coding).

2. Business/Finance: These majors provide a solid foundation for many paths in the corporate world. They afford higher earning potentials and are quite prevalent in the job market. The knowledge gained from these majors, like understanding personal finance and organization management, can be very useful in day-to-day life.

3. Engineering: Whether it's Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, or any other specialization, engineering offers high earning potential and diverse job opportunities. Problem-solving, analytical thinking, and design skills learned can be applied to everyday issues.

4. Health Sciences/Nursing: Due to a growing and aging population, jobs in healthcare are in high demand. Healthcare professionals often earn good wages and gain valuable skills including empathy, crisis management, and quick decision-making.

5. Education: While not the highest paying, a degree in education holds the potential for high job certainty given the constant need for educators. Critical skills acquired include communication, leadership, and empathy.

6. Communications: This field has a broad range of opportunities and teaches valuable skills like effective communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution which are highly applicable in daily life.

7. Environmental Science: As sustainability becomes more critical, Environmental Science degrees are becoming increasingly valuable. They provide understanding of important global issues, which is useful both professionally and personally.

Remember, the "most useful" major will depend on your personal interests, career goals, and what you ultimately want out of your education. It's essential to find a balance between practicality and passion.