Forbes has identified 15 college degrees it considers among the safer options for students seeking long-term career stability.
The ranking places Nursing at number one, followed by Computer Science, Accounting, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, highlighting careers that combine strong demand with human judgment, technical expertise, physical presence or responsibilities that are difficult to fully automate.
Forbes’ assessment comes as students and graduates face a rapidly changing employment landscape, with artificial intelligence increasingly taking over routine administrative, analytical and entry-level tasks.
According to the publication, no degree can be regarded as completely immune from AI disruption.
However, degrees linked to occupations requiring hands-on skills, human interaction, professional judgment, accountability and specialised technical expertise are considered better positioned to withstand automation.
The 15 degrees identified by Forbes are: Nursing, Computer Science, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physical Therapy, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Education, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Human Resources Management, Construction Management, and Social Work
Forbes said its assessment considers factors including projected employment growth, earning potential and the nature of duties associated with each field.
Nursing, which tops the list, relies heavily on physical presence, clinical judgment, communication and direct patient care.
Forbes notes that while AI can assist healthcare professionals with tasks such as identification and documentation, nurses remain responsible for interpreting information, communicating with patients and taking appropriate action.
Computer Science ranks second, despite the growing use of AI coding tools.
Forbes argues that while artificial intelligence is putting pressure on some entry-level programming jobs, professionals are still needed to design systems, oversee technology and review AI-generated code.
The publication recommends that computer science graduates develop deeper expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, systems and AI engineering.
Accounting takes third place. Although AI can automate bookkeeping, reconciliation and other routine financial tasks, Forbes points to the need for professionals capable of handling complex financial matters, auditing and regulatory responsibilities.
Civil Engineering ranks fourth, with Forbes highlighting the continued need for professionals to design and oversee infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water systems and buildings.
The physical and regulatory responsibilities attached to the profession also make it less susceptible to complete automation.
Mechanical and electrical engineering also feature prominently, alongside physical therapy, cybersecurity and data science, reflecting the continued demand for professionals with specialised technical knowledge.
Education, finance, healthcare administration, human resources management, construction management and social work complete the ranking, with each field involving varying degrees of human interaction, decision-making, professional responsibility or specialised expertise.
Forbes cautions that choosing one of these degrees does not guarantee employment or immunity from technological disruption.
Instead, the publication argues that graduates can improve their long-term career prospects by combining their academic qualifications with AI literacy, critical thinking, communication, adaptability, collaboration, project management and deep technical or professional expertise.
The ranking follows global concerns over the impact of AI on entry-level white-collar employment.
Forbes has separately reported that AI is already reshaping fields including software development, accounting, marketing and other traditionally degree-dependent professions.
According to Forbes, the emerging lesson for students or aspiring professionals, is therefore not simply to choose a degree that AI cannot touch, but to choose a field where human judgment, specialised expertise and real-world interaction remain valuable, while developing the ability to work alongside AI.
