Choosing a college major can feel like a daunting task for students considering their future. But there are ways to set yourself up for success, starting with educating yourself on the different types of majors and their costs! This can help you know what your options are and give you an idea of where to begin.
While tuition can vary from school to school and state to state, it’s important to evaluate which college major can come with a higher price tag so you can plan accordingly. Not just in terms of tuition but when looking at advanced degree costs, reported median annual incomes, associated labs, equipment, and fees. Getting a full picture look at these factors can help you decide which major is right for you, and if a more costly college major is worth the investment based on your career and educational goals.
Keeping these factors in mind, here are 10 of the most expensive college majors: Engineering
Health/Medical Sciences
Architecture- Aviation
Computer Science
Film/Media Production
Interior Design & Art Programs
Veterinary Medicine
Law
Dentistry
To help you break it down, let’s take a closer look.
1. Engineering
Engineering majors can be costly due to lab fees, materials, and the need for specialized equipment that changes often. This is true for almost all engineering majors, including:-
Mechanical
Electrical
Environmental
Computer
Aerospace
2. Health/Medical Sciences
Health‑related college majors can also be expensive, depending on what type of program you choose. Unsurprisingly, becoming a doctor is one of the most expensive education paths in healthcare due to the length of time you spend in your programs. For example, if you want to become a surgeon, you can expect to spend roughly a decade in school! Other expensive majors in healthcare include specialized nursing roles (like nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners), optometry, and more. That’s because they often require things like:
Extensive simulations
High-tech laboratories
Clinical rotations
Lengthy timelines for some majors (like pre-med)
Small class sizes
Although pre-med and nursing degrees tend to be on the more expensive side, there are affordable options in this field, such as CNAs, medical assistants, and more.
3. Architecture
Architecture students typically spend money on model‑making materials, design software, studios, and printing. These costs add up in addition to your usual tuition costs, making this career path one major where students pay a lot of money out of their pocket.
4. Aviation
An aviation college major can be expensive both in monetary costs and in the time required to complete the program. Among the expenses that aviation students must manage:
Flight hours
Flight simulators
Knowledge checks
Certifications
Schools often spend a lot of money on fuel and aircraft maintenance costs as well. Some campuses will forward this cost along to the student, resulting in higher tuition fees.
5. Computer Sciences
High‑end computing equipment and software licenses add costs for computer science and computer engineering majors. These majors are also in high demand, which may mean increased tuition for popular programs as well as issues with limited enrollment. Some computer science programs also require specialized software or hardware, which increases the overall cost of these programs.
6. Film/Media Production and Fine Arts
Film, music, and arts college majors can be expensive because they often require pricey gear, like:-
Cameras
Instruments
Studio and rehearsal space rentals
Editing suites
Other software tech
The success rate of college students in these majors is also more unpredictable than other majors on the list. Film, media production, and fine arts majors have a wide variety of career options for graduates, making their median income and the potential for a return on your investment a bit harder to define.
7. Interior Design
Interior design programs often charge students for things like studio space, specialized software, and material fees as they learn the ropes of making indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful. These programs see much more expensive tuition than other college majors, and although income potential exists, the price of tools and certification prep adds up!
8. Veterinary Medicine
As a specialized health field, veterinary studies can get expensive depending on the program. That’s because veterinary medicine curriculum often includes things like:
Labs
Animal care fees
Clinical training
Similar to medical and dental programs, these additional necessities for graduation can drive tuition higher than other college major programs.
9. Law
Law school is frequently among the top investments in higher education, in terms of both money and time. It’s important to note that law is a postgraduate college major and requirements and costs will vary widely depending on the university. But most law school programs will be more expensive because of the multi‑year commitments and associated prep course costs.
10. Dentistry
Dental programs demand-
Clinical labs
Materials
Simulators
Hands-on training
This makes dentistry one of the more expensive college majors out there.
Additional expenses for college students
The expenses of whatever college major you choose aren’t just tuition. Other living and learning costs can add up significantly, including costs for things like:
Housing
Commuting
Materials and supplies
Food and lodging
Public four-year colleges tend to see lower average room and board costs compared to private universities. In some areas, living off-campus could be similar in cost or it could be more expensive.Meanwhile, commuters may see more costs for things like fuel, parking, or public transit. It’s important to weigh these kinds of costs as you consider living on or off campus during your college major program.Finally, you’ll need to think about costs like textbooks, lab fees, equipment, and software. These expenses can vary from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year.No matter which college major you choose, thinking ahead is crucial. You never know what can happen, so have a plan in place to protect your investment.
Cover your investment with GradGuard
Your choice of an expensive college major can potentially pave the way for a rewarding career, but with high costs comes risk. Unexpected events like a laptop being stolen before finals or damage to major‑specific gear can derail progress or cause stress. That’s where GradGuard can help.
As a reliable source, GradGuard offers insurance solutions designed for college life plus added protection for major‑specific needs*.-
GradGuard Renters Protection Plan: The renters policy can help protect personal property—including laptops, art tools, or instruments—when lodging off‑campus.
GradGuard can provide reimbursement for unexpected damage, loss, or theft of critical items.
This protection may avoid delays in your studies or added stress from replacing costly tools part‑way through the semester.
Choosing a major like engineering, health science, or architecture can be a strategic move toward a successful career. But it's equally important to prepare for the upfront costs and safeguard your investment. After all, investing in a high-cost college major involves more than big tuition or lab fees. It includes protecting that investment. Understanding tuition, living expenses, and necessary tools (and protecting them with the GradGuard Renters Protection Plan) can give students peace of mind and the flexibility to focus on what matters: learning.No one can guarantee what the future holds but being prepared can help ensure that a costly college major remains a valuable educational investment, not a risk.
*Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
