According to US News the top degree programs are as follows:

1. Business
2. Law
3. Medicine
4. Engineering
5. Education
6. Science
7. Information Studies
8. Social Science and Humanities
9. Health
10. Public Affairs

If you are interested in finding the top schools for these programs, visit the US News website.

There are many career paths that greatly benefit from a Master’s or Doctorate Degree and there are some that do not. Know your career path and what it takes to achieve your level of success.  For example, if you are going into the field of education, a Master’s or Specialist degree is greatly beneficial and can determine how much your salary.

The Top Ten Career Fields in America:

Many of these would produce a higher salary if a Master, Specialist or Doctorate degree was obtained.

1. Computers and Technology
2. Health Care and Allied Health
3. Education and Social Services
4. Arts and Communications
5. Trades and Transportation
6. Management, Business and Finance
7. Architecture and Civil Engineering
8. Science
9. Hospitality, Tourism and the Service Industry
10. Law and Law Enforcement

Top 10 Jobs For College Graduates

Accounting (private)—There are a few entrance exams that are required for admission into a degree program and they vary with each school and program. It is a great idea to take an entrance exam directly after college because you are still in the mode of taking exams and your undergraduate knowledge is still fresh in your mind.  Your score will benefit greatly from taking the exam early even if you are unsure as to when you will attend school.  Check the admissions requirement for the exact entrance exam required.  Make sure you take the time to study and make the best possible score.  Many programs are very competitive and a high score can increase your chances of acceptance.

Most graduate programs require GRE (Graduate Record Exam) test scores as part of the admission materials. Professional schools may require LSAT (Law School Admission Test), MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), or GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) test scores. The Praxis Series is an Educational Testing Service (ETS) program that provides tests and other services for states to use as part of their teacher certification process. Colleges and universities use these assessments to qualify individuals for entry into teacher education programs.

Pay attention to graduate school exam test dates to make sure you don't miss deadlines for sending in your application. You should plan to take these tests in your junior year or first semester of your senior year if you want to go directly into graduate school in the fall after your senior year.