My two cents.... I have a degree in engineering from a pretty good school, it wasn't really difficult to get into the program and I am happy with my degree. However, this is in response to pire saying that it is not difficult to get into a nursing program. Do you know anybody who tried to get into nursing school? I know a few people who have tried and I know a few people who did not get in... tried a couple more times did not get in and then just got a degree in another field. This is true of both 2-yr and 4-yr nursing colleges/ schools. I think you need to check the "reliability" (as you put it ) of your information. It is really difficult to get into nursing school, and there is a wait in most schools. To answer the original question of this thread, if you are in a hurry to finish school and get a green card and want assurance that you will have a job as soon as you graduate then Nursing is the way to go.. However if you want to take your time in school (4 yrs) and if you're more interested in it you should go for mechanical engineering. Both of them are NOT dead end jobs. You have advancement opportunities in both and you will earn good money in both so I think it just boils down to how much time you have, and where your interests lie. Good Luck in whichever field you choose!!