What makes a degree valuable?

• Career opportunities?
• Starting compensation?
• Time to completion?
• Versatility?

Our answer is: all of the above.

With graduation season coming up, we’ve compiled our list of Most Valuable Degrees based on these criteria.

And without further ado…the Most Valuable Degree goes to…

Winner: Bachelor’s Degree in Business

The most popular college degree in the world is also the best college degree. A superb pick for students looking for a versatile bachelor’s degree with major earning power.

Time to completion: 4 years
Starting income: $41,100
Mid-career income: $70,600

Winning factor: One of the advantages of a business degree is that you’re able to move into many different industries. To name just two, health care is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, and finance is one of the most stable.

2nd Place: Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting

The timing for earning an associate’s degree in medical assisting couldn’t be better. The suddenly red-hot career was highlighted in Laurence Shatkin’s book Best Jobs for the 21st Century and was also named by Forbes as one of the fastest growing jobs for women in 2010.

Time to completion: 18 months to 2 years
Average income: $29,450
Potential income: $39,970

Winning factor: Medical assisting opportunities are expected to grow an amazing 34 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

3rd Place: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Accounting is often overshadowed by the more popular business degree but the income figures are higher for this more specialized degree. And you don’t need an accounting degree to know that money talks!

Time to completion: 4 years
Starting income: $46,500
Mid-career income: $77,500

Winning factor: There’s a lot of opportunity for those with an accounting degree. In a recent survey of more than 500 senior finance executives, more than half of the CFOs expressed concern about a lack of qualified accountants entering the workforce, according to global accounting organization Grant Thornton.

4th Place: Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies

It’s hard to imagine a two-year degree with more upside than an associate’s degree in paralegal studies. This extremely solid degree allows you to work for a law firm or for yourself, in whatever city or town you want in America. And the pay isn’t just good; it’s great.

Time to completion: 2 years
Average income: $50,080
Potential income: $75,700

Winning factor: Opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants are expected to grow at a healthy 28 percent clip between 2008 and 2018, according to the Department of Labor.

5th Place: Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing

Add security to the long list of reasons to become a nurse. A Vanderbilt University analysis in 2009 predicted that the U.S. will have a shortage of 260,000 nurses in 2025. Find a Nursing school near you.

Time to completion: 4 years
Starting income: $52,700
Mid-career income: $68,200

Winning factor: Employment opportunities are expected to soar 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, with hundreds of thousands of job openings expected from retirements, according to the Department of Labor.