Sheepskin Payoff

Loads of studies show that a collegegraduate will make more over a lifetimethan a person with just a high schooldiploma. But a recent survey by theNational Association of College andEmployers shows that the field yourdegree is in can also have an impact onyour earnings. Graduates with degreesin computer science, for example, hadthe world on a string back in 1999, buthave faced 5 straight years of declines instarting salaries. This year's computerscience graduates will start at an averageof $46,535, down 7.6% from a yearago. Although this downturn arguesagainst chasing hot degree choices,experts point out that the job marketin technology tends to be cyclical andis likely to rebound. Other careers likelyto show growth over the next fewyears are nursing, health care, andbusiness administration.