Degree Impact Calculator
Find Your Coolest Degree
The coolest degree isn't just about prestige. It's about the impact you can make and the power you'll wield after cracking your competitive exam. Answer these questions to find which degree aligns best with your values.
When people ask, "What’s the coolest degree?" they’re not really asking about the certificate. They’re asking: Which degree gives you the most power, respect, and freedom after crushing a brutal competitive exam? It’s not about prestige for show. It’s about what happens after you clear the exam - the doors that open, the impact you make, and the life you build.
Let’s cut through the noise. There’s no single "coolest" degree. But there are a few that consistently win the hearts of top scorers in India’s toughest exams - IIT JEE, NEET, UPSC, CLAT, and others. These aren’t just degrees. They’re launchpads.
Engineering - The Original Power Move
If you’re a top JEE ranker, your degree is Computer Science and Engineering - a four-year program focused on algorithms, systems design, and software architecture. Why? Because it turns problem-solvers into builders. You don’t just learn theory. You code apps that serve millions. You design systems that run hospitals, banks, and traffic networks.
Graduates from IITs don’t just get jobs. They get offers from Google, Microsoft, and startups that pay ₹30-50 lakhs per year right out of college. And it’s not just about money. It’s about control. You build tools. You fix broken systems. You create the future.
What makes it cool? The speed. In five years, you go from solving physics problems to leading teams building AI models that predict disease outbreaks or optimize energy grids. No other degree moves this fast.
Medicine - The Ultimate Responsibility
Top NEET scorers don’t choose MBBS because it’s easy. They choose it because it’s Medicine - a five-and-a-half-year program combining human biology, clinical practice, and emergency decision-making. It’s the only degree where your mistakes can cost lives - and your wins can save them.
After NEET, you don’t just get a job. You get a calling. You’re the one standing in the ER at 3 a.m., making split-second calls. You’re the one telling a family their child will be okay. That kind of trust doesn’t come with a degree in business or literature.
And the rewards? A government doctor in a rural hospital earns ₹80,000/month with housing and food covered. A specialist in a metro hospital? ₹2-4 lakhs/month. But more than the salary - it’s the quiet respect. People don’t just call you "Dr. Sharma." They say, "Thank you for saving my father."
Law - The Silent Force Behind Systems
Top CLAT scorers don’t pick law because they want to argue in court. They pick it because they want to fix the system from within. Law - a five-year integrated program blending constitutional theory, criminal procedure, and corporate compliance is the backbone of every functioning society.
After clearing CLAT, you don’t end up in a small courtroom. You become a legal advisor to the government. You draft policies. You defend human rights in the Supreme Court. You work with the RBI to stop financial fraud. You’re not just a lawyer. You’re the referee in a game where the rules are written by the powerful - and you’re the one making sure they follow them.
It’s not flashy. But when a corrupt minister gets jailed because of your argument? That’s cool.
Civil Services - The Real Power Players
The UPSC Civil Services Exam isn’t just another test. It’s the gateway to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) - a career track that places officers in charge of district administration, policy implementation, and public resource allocation. No other degree in India gives you direct control over millions of lives.
As an IAS officer, you decide: Should we build a new hospital? Should we ban a harmful chemical? Should we give emergency relief after a flood? You don’t just advise. You execute. You’re the bridge between the government and the person on the street.
And the cool part? You can walk into a village and change its entire future. One IAS officer in Odisha used her position to digitize land records - cutting corruption by 80%. Another launched a mobile app for farmers to report crop damage. No other degree lets you do that.
Data Science - The New Dark Horse
Here’s the curveball: Data Science - a multidisciplinary field combining statistics, programming, and domain knowledge to extract insights from large datasets is becoming the coolest degree for the next generation of exam toppers.
Why? Because it’s not about memorizing formulas. It’s about reading patterns. Top JEE and NEET scorers who switch into data science use their analytical superpowers to predict traffic jams, spot disease outbreaks before they explode, or even find hidden fraud in bank transactions.
Companies like Flipkart, Zomato, and the Indian Railways are hiring data scientists straight out of college. Salaries start at ₹15-25 lakhs/year. And unlike traditional degrees, this one lets you work remotely, freelance, or even start your own AI tool.
One former IITian built a model that predicted dengue outbreaks in Bangalore six weeks ahead. The government used it to plan spraying drives. That’s not just a job. That’s a superpower.
Why These Degrees Win
What do all these degrees share? Three things:
- They demand deep analytical thinking - the same skill you used to crack JEE or NEET.
- They give you real authority - not just a title, but real power to make decisions that affect people.
- They’re not just jobs. They’re missions. You don’t wake up to go to work. You wake up to fix something.
Forget degrees that just lead to office jobs. The coolest ones are the ones that turn your exam prep into a lifelong mission.
What’s Not Cool (And Why)
Let’s be clear: degrees like B.Com, B.A. in History, or B.A. in Psychology aren’t "bad." But they rarely become the "coolest" for top exam scorers - not because they’re useless, but because they don’t offer the same level of impact or speed.
For example, a B.Com graduate might become an accountant. A B.A. in History might become a teacher. Both are noble. But they don’t give you the same immediate, visible influence as an IAS officer, a surgeon, or a data scientist who predicts epidemics.
It’s not about what you study. It’s about what you do with it.
Final Thought: Cool Isn’t About the Degree - It’s About the Impact
The coolest degree isn’t the one with the highest salary. It’s the one that lets you use your brainpower to change something real.
Do you want to build the next app that millions use? Go for engineering.
Do you want to be the one who saves a life when no one else can? Go for medicine.
Do you want to make sure justice works for everyone? Go for law.
Do you want to run a district, fix corruption, and lead change? Go for civil services.
Do you want to see patterns no one else can? Go for data science.
The exam was just the test. The degree is your tool. What you do after? That’s the real cool part.
Is engineering still the coolest degree for JEE toppers?
Yes, for most top JEE scorers, engineering - especially Computer Science - remains the top choice. It offers fast career growth, high salaries, global opportunities, and the chance to build real-world tech. But it’s not the only cool option anymore. Medicine, law, civil services, and data science are now equally compelling for those who want impact beyond code.
Can I switch from engineering to civil services later?
Absolutely. Many IAS officers are engineers. In fact, over 40% of top-ranking UPSC candidates have engineering backgrounds. Your analytical skills from JEE prep give you a huge edge in the civil services exam. The UPSC doesn’t care what your degree is - it cares about your reasoning, writing, and leadership potential.
Is data science replacing engineering as the top choice?
Not replacing - expanding. Engineering is still the most popular path for JEE toppers. But data science is growing fast, especially among those who want to work in AI, public policy, or healthcare analytics. Many IITs now offer dual degrees in engineering and data science. It’s the perfect blend of technical skill and real-world impact.
Why isn’t medicine the #1 choice for everyone?
Because it’s grueling. A medical degree takes over five years, followed by a mandatory rural posting. The work hours are brutal. The emotional toll is high. Not everyone wants to be on call 24/7. But for those who do, it’s unmatched in purpose and respect.
Do I need to take a specific degree to crack UPSC?
No. UPSC accepts any graduate degree. But degrees that build analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills - like engineering, law, history, or political science - give you a natural advantage. The key isn’t the degree. It’s how well you understand governance, society, and current affairs.