Earning Potential

Categories: Careers, Education

High: Computer Science PhDs from elite schools.

Low: English majors from pretty much anywhere.

How much dough will you make in your life? You could have been studying math after school, taken a $49.95 accounting course online (we offer them at Shmoop), and ended up a partner in your local, growing-to-regional accounting firm. Others will have laughed at you along the way: "How boring? What could be more dull than being a bean counter? Why on earth would you do that?" And they laugh and laugh until you laugh back...from your convertible Porsche as you pull in to your second home.

That was the fantasy, anyway. But instead of studying math and doing a Shmoop more with your academic efforts, you practice free throws and, like 99.9999% of the others, didn't make it in the NBA. So now you coach, and just hope your roommate in your one-bedroom apartment doesn't snore too loudly tonight.

Yeah. You coulda been. For a refresher, go watch On The Waterfront again. Pay attention to Brando's famous lines.

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