Not only will studying STEM help you find a job that pays well, a new study from Indiana University indicates that students who choose to pursue majors in these fields may have more fun in college as well. According to the annual National Survey of Student Engagement, software engineering, computer science and astronomy majors enjoy the least stressful college experience, and spend the most time relaxing and socializing, including hanging out with friends, playing video games and going online.

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Despite their reputation as intense and time-consuming fields of study, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors reported having some of the most down time. One reason these students may feel so laid back is their strong likelihood of finding well-paid, high-quality jobs upon graduation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software engineers earn an annual $102,280, computer scientists earn $111,840 and astronomers earn $114,870 a year. Across fields, STEM majors consistently have some of the highest rates of employment and the highest incomes. Another possible explanation for these surprising results is that software engineering and computer science majors may spend more time on the computer than those in other majors, which was considered relaxation time in the survey.

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