I'm looking at fields that I can make enough to offset my student loans. I am also interested in the career. The comparison was just due to medical fields being the highest earners. I suppose they have more loans than myself though. Also I would call medical careers more attainable than the NBA.
This is a good way to look at college, it is an investment. Now, among the fields that will allow you to pay off student debt, which one's appear
A: most attainable (maximize median outcome)
B: most satisfying, those which match your interests
I'm interested in combining programming and math.
Then it looks like you're on a good path.
Don't be deluded and think this is a sure thing though, the quant space is not easy to get into. Among the options that you find interesting, this one will almost surely pay off your loans CONDITIONAL on your making it into the field. It is doable, especially if you start early and prep well, but it isn't easy. By comparison, doctor is easier (in the sense of more attainable, median-outcome wise). There are tradeoffs here.
There are many other fields to be considered as well. But you are here so:
Where are you in your education, and what is your background in math, stats, and computer science?