Embarking on a college education is a huge commitment. Not only will you be forking out a serious chunk of change, but you will also be dedicating at least three years of your life to this pursuit. That’s why it’s extremely important to select your major carefully–ensuring that your job prospects will be plentiful and your paycheck will be large.

While there are no “sure things,” there are several employment areas that possess high growths rates and offer substantial salaries. Here are five promising options.

1. Nursing

Although it isn’t med school, if you are a compassionate person with a desire to help others, a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing may be a viable career option. With a projected job growth rate of 26 percent between now and 2020, nurses continue to be a valuable commodity. And, according to a 2013 study conducted by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, new nursing graduates experience a low unemployment rate of just 4.8 percent. The average mid-career salary hovers around the $70,000 mark. Furthermore, the US News and World Report rated nursing as the 6th best job according to employment rate, 10-year growth volume and percentage, median salary, stress levels, job prospects, and work/life balance. One caveat–this career is not for the squeamish.

2. Construction Management

A Degree in Construction Management is another solid foundation on which to build a promising future. If you spent hours building lavish Lego structures or had the soundest tree fort in town as a kid, this may be an attractive option for you. The projected employment growth rate is 16.6 percent by 2020, while the unemployment rate sits at 5.4 percent. The median mid-career salary is roughly $86,000. And with projects that range from residential developments to shopping malls and skyscrapers to bridges, you will never be bored.

3. Computer Science

If you’re a natural problem-solver with a knack for computer languages, robotics, and math, a Degree in Computer Science may be the perfect fit. Plus, the field’s low unemployment rate of 4.7 percent and anticipated employment growth rate of 18.7 percent make it a wise choice. Computer Science Degree holders also placed an impressive 4th on the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ List of Top Paying Majors for 2012-2013 Bachelor’s Degree Graduates with a starting salary of $64,800. With possible fields of study ranging from Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, Gaming Technology, Computer System Organization and more, this degree provides great flexibility in career options.

4. Pharmacology

While a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy will prepare you for a career as a Medical Scientist or Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, you will need your Doctorate to become a full-fledged Pharmacist. With a very low unemployment rate of just 3 percent and a projected employment growth rate of approximately 25 percent, this in-demand career can provide the gift of job security. Pharmacists are not just found at your local Walgreens. They can also be found in hospitals and pharmaceutical research labs too–offering you a variety of career options. And the Pharmacist was rated 5th by the aforementioned U.S. News and World Report‘s “List of the Top 10 Best Jobs.”

5. Finance

If you loved to be the banker every time you played Monopoly, you may enjoy a career in the world of high finance. According to the National Association of College and Employers, the degree most coveted by employers is the Finance Degree, with nearly 67 percent of those surveyed stating that they planned to hire applicants possessing this qualification. Whether you wish to work as a Financial Analyst for a major corporation or serve as a Personal Financial Advisor, you will be responsible for someone’s money–and this sizeable burden comes with a comfortable paycheck. In fact, students who graduate with a Bachelor’s of Finance earned the 10th spot in the aforementioned National Association of Colleges and Employers’ List of Top Paying Majors for 2012-2013 Bachelor’s Degree Graduates, earning an average starting salary of $57,400. And with an unemployment rate of just 4.4 percent and an anticipated employment growth rate of a whopping 23 percent, this degree choice sounds like a wise investment.

Employment Growth is Critical

As Carole Oldroyd’s article, “5 Best Degrees for 2017,” states, “while no degree can guarantee a job, understanding where growth is occurring in the labor market is a step in the right direct.” So don’t jump blindly into a Degree program without doing your research first. After all, your employment, future happiness and well-being is worth it.

What other careers will prove hot in the future? Why?