PayScale recently filtered its salary data from this year's College Salary Report based on the percentage of respondents who said their careers have high meaning.
Here are 20 college majors that may not lead to the greatest salary growth but can still offer some of the most satisfying careers:
20. Athletic training
Common jobs: Athletic Trainer, physical therapist, assistant athletic trainer
People who find their job meaningful: 76%
Starting median pay: $36,000
Mid-career median pay: $51,900
19. Human Services
Common jobs: Medical case manager, social worker, program coordinator, non-profit organization
People who find their job meaningful: 78%
Starting median pay: $34,000
Mid-career median pay: $44,600
18. Social work
Common jobs: Social worker, medical case manager, social services director
People who find their job meaningful: 78%
Starting median pay: $33,800
Mid-career median pay: $46,700
17. Medical laboratory technology
Common jobs: Medical/clinical laboratory technologist, clinical laboratory scientist, medical/clinical laboratory supervisor
People who find their job meaningful: 78%
Starting median pay: $48,500
Mid-career median pay: $64,000
16. Foods & nutrition
Common jobs: Dietitian, nutrition services director, certified diabetes educator
People who find their job meaningful: 79%
Starting median pay: $40,900
Mid-career median pay: $58,700
15. Health
Common jobs: Registered nurse, respiratory therapist
People who find their job meaningful: 79%
Starting median pay: $35,700
Mid-career median pay: $60,700
14. Dental hygiene
Common jobs: Dental hygienist
People who find their job meaningful: 79%
Starting median pay: $65,400
Mid-career median pay: $74,900
13. Environmental health and safety
Common jobs: Safety manager, environmental health and safety specialist, health and safety coordinator
People who find their job meaningful: 79%
Starting median pay: $51,200
Mid-career median pay: $89,800
12. Community health education
Common jobs: Patient/health educator, program manager, non-profit organization, wellness coordinator
People who find their job meaningful: 80%
Starting median pay: $37,200
Mid-career median pay: $55,200
11. Dietetics
Common jobs: Dietitian, certified diabetes educator (cde), nutrition services director
People who find their job meaningful:80%
Starting median pay: $44,300
Mid-career median pay: $60,500
10. Therapeutic recreation
Common jobs: Recreation therapist, activities director, life enrichment coordinator
People who find their job meaningful: 81%
Starting median pay: $35,200
Mid-career median pay: $47,700
9. Exercise physiology
Common jobs: Exercise physiologist, physical therapy assistant, personal trainer
People who find their job meaningful: 83%
Starting median pay: $38,400
Mid-career median pay: $60,300
8. Respiratory therapy
Common jobs: Respiratory therapist, respiratory therapy manager
People who find their job meaningful: 83%
Starting median pay: $46,200
Mid-career median pay: $62,900
7. Diagnostic medical sonography
Common jobs: Ultrasound technologist, echocardiographer, vascular technologist
People who find their job meaningful: 83%
Starting median pay: $57,700
Mid-career median pay: $71,100
6. Nursing
Common jobs: Registered nurse, registered emergency-room nurse, nurse practitioner
People who find their job meaningful: 83%
Starting median pay: $57,500
Mid-career median pay: $74,100
5. Physician assistant studies
Common jobs: Physician assistant, orthopedic physician assistant, cardiothoracic physician assistant
People who find their job meaningful: 86%
Starting median pay: $85,200
Mid-career median pay: $103,000
4. Practical nursing
Common jobs: Registered nurse, licensed practical nurse
People who find their job meaningful: 88%
Starting median pay: $45,300
Mid-career median pay: $58,100
3. Physical therapy
Common jobs: Physical therapist, rehabilitation services director, director of physical therapy
People who find their job meaningful: 89%
Starting median pay: $60,300
Mid-career median pay: $86,600
2. Pastoral ministry
Common jobs: Pastor, youth pastor
People who find their job meaningful: 93%
Starting median pay: $32,800
Mid-career median pay: $50,500
1. Medical laboratory science
Common jobs: Medical/clinical laboratory technologist, clinical laboratory scientist, laboratory manager
People who find their job meaningful: 93%
Starting median pay: $47,900
Mid-career median pay: $61,500
