Table of Contents
Based on data from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), business, health, and social sciences are the most popular college majors in the United States. The three majors accounted for over 40% of the 2 million bachelor’s degrees awarded in the United States in the 2021–2022 academic year. Furthermore, since 2012, these three fields of study have been the most popular majors.
You will be depriving yourself of some fantastic experiences and opportunities for self-discovery if you choose a college major based on what your friends are studying or the courses that seem easy to you!
This list of the top college majors was put together using data on popularity, alumni earnings, and employment prospects. Each of these majors offers distinct intellectual challenges and will assist you in developing skill sets that will be applicable in a number of professional situations, but that doesn’t mean that any of the courses of study listed here will promise you a job or a large salary.
Here is a quick glance of the courses!
Popularity | Major | Total degrees | Percentage of degrees | Median salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Business | 375,418 | 18.6% | $71,000 |
2 | Health | 263,765 | 13% | $70,000 |
3 | Social sciences and history | 151,109 | 7.4% | $70,000 |
4 | Biological and biomedical sciences | 131,462 | 6.5% | $71,000 |
5 | Psychology | 129,609 | 6.4% | $55,000 |
6 | Engineering | 123,017 | 6.1% | $100,000 |
7 | Computer and information sciences | 108,503 | 5.3% | $95,000 |
8 | Visual and performing arts | 90,241 | 4.4% | $50,000 |
9 | Education | 89,410 | 4.4% | $52,000 |
10 | Communication and journalism | 86,043 | 4.2% | $60,000 |
Total | All majors | 2,015,035 | 100.0% | $86,460 |
Let us break down each of these majors for you!
1. Business
Nearly one-fifth of all bachelor’s degree holders major in business, the most favored option. Business majors learn many subjects, such as marketing, management, and business administration. As per the National Association of Colleges and Companies (NACE), businesses generally have a high demand for these majors.
A business degree can help you land entry-level jobs as a sales representative, administrative assistant, marketing coordinator, human resources assistant, or business development associate.
You can consider Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) to get into the business field. Learn more about the MBA here!
Median salary: $71,000
2. Health
Nursing, public health, and health science are among the second most popular undergraduate health majors. A master’s or professional degree, for example, is required for many well-paying health care positions. Nonetheless, a bachelor’s degree might be used to begin a career in health.
A few entry-level positions include exercise physiologist, clinical lab technician, public health researcher, nutritionist, registered nurse, and health care administrator.
In order to get into a career related to Health you may want to pursue a medical degree learn more about them here!
Median Salary: $70,000
3. Social sciences and history
You will learn about the structure, functions, and interactions of societal systems if you major in the social sciences. Students who specialize in social sciences may acquire good transferable abilities because these disciplines are often multidisciplinary, meaning they link to other fields of study. Anthropology, economics, environmental studies, political science, and sociology are a few examples of social science degrees.
Legal assistant, economic analyst, market researcher, public policy analyst, and community health worker are a few entry-level positions for students majoring in social science and history.
Median Salary: $70,000
4. Biological and biomedical sciences
Students majoring in biological and biomedical sciences investigate living things. Among these fields are molecular biology, microbiology, physiology, and biology. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, biology is one of the most popular majors among students who want to become doctors [5]. Many biology majors who complete their undergraduate studies go on to earn professional degrees or doctorates, eventually working as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, or medical scientists.
Research assistants, nutritionists, medical writers, pharmaceutical sales representatives, and laboratory technicians are among the entry-level positions linked to degrees in biological or biomedical sciences.
Median Salary: $71,000
5. Psychology
Although psychology is a social science, its prominence as a specialized major justifies its own classification. Psychology is the study of human behavior and mental processes. (Psychology majors alone would account for 46% of the category if psychology were listed among the social science majors on this list. On this list, the social sciences area would also come in second overall.)
Since psychology is a social science, its programs tend to foster a number of desired transferable abilities that may expand one’s job options. To work as a psychologist or psychiatrist, however, many psychology students continue on to obtain a master’s degree or higher. With a degree in psychology, you can work as a case manager, counselor, market researcher, research assistant, or human resources coordinator, among other entry-level positions.
Learn about the top jobs offered to Psychology Majors here!
Median Salary: $55,000
6. Engineering
Students majoring in engineering create and construct things. Your discipline determines the things you build and the size at which you build them. The following engineering specialties are among the most popular: computer, mechanical, chemical, civil, and electrical engineering.
Median Salary: $100,000
7. Computer and information sciences
Information technology, computer science, and computer information systems are all majors in computer and information science. Of all the majors on this list, computer and information sciences had the highest annual growth rate, at 3.4 percent. Over the past few years, this major’s popularity has grown at an equally remarkable rate.
One possible explanation for this rise in popularity is employer demand. Computer scientists are among the highest-paid graduates and, according to NACE, are the second most sought-after major by employers, behind business. Information security analyst, web developer, software developer, and computer support specialist are a few entry-level computer science positions.
Learn how you can make yourself stand out in computer science and learn about the career options after a computer science major.
Median Salary: $95,000
8. Visual and performing arts
Graphic design, fine arts, theater, photography, and music are all options for students majoring in visual and performing arts. Starting a career in the arts doesn’t always require a bachelor’s degree. Approximately 20% of students majoring in visual and performing arts go on to work in media, entertainment, sports, design, and the arts.
A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, however, can help you refine your talents as you prepare for entry-level design positions such as graphic designer, photographer, user experience (UX) designer, studio assistant, or visual content producer.
Median Salary: $50,000
9. Education
Students who study education are prepared to work in an educational environment. Degree programs might concentrate on general education or on a particular student population, including special education, early childhood education, or primary education. The majority of education majors go on to become teachers, which frequently calls for both a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certification. To be eligible for administrative roles, you might continue on to earn your master’s degree in education.
A degree in education can lead to entry-level jobs as a teaching assistant, curriculum design specialist, school librarian, substitute teacher, or elementary, middle, or high school teacher.
Median Salary: $52,000
10. Communication and journalism
Communication majors concentrate on the several methods that knowledge can be shared. Mass media, journalism, and general communications are common study topics.
Social media coordinator, public relations expert, marketing assistant, editing assistant, reporter, and media planner are a few entry-level positions linked to a communication degree.
Median Salary: $60,000
Most in-demand majors in the USA
It could be worthwhile to take into account a major’s demand among employers in addition to its popularity. Business, computer science, and engineering are the three most popular bachelor’s degree majors, according to NACE
In particular, here is its ranking of the most sought-after majors according to its study conducted in the winter of 2024:
- Finance
- Accounting
- Computer science
- Business administration/management
- Information sciences and systems
- Marketing
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Logistics/supply chain
From Rostrum’s Podium
Choosing a major can feel like one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make—and while the data shows that business, health, and computer science dominate the charts, your path should be as unique as you are.
At Rostrum, we believe your career isn’t just about numbers or popularity rankings. It’s about discovering what makes you tick, what problems you want to solve, and what kind of impact you want to make. Whether you’re intrigued by psychology’s human element, inspired by engineering’s innovation, or captivated by storytelling through journalism, your passion has a place—and a plan.
That’s where Rostrum’s Career Discovery & Guidance Program comes in.
Here’s what we help you with:
- In-depth personality and aptitude assessments to match you with majors and careers that suit you.
- One-on-one mentorship with alumni and professionals across fields like tech, finance, medicine, arts, and law.
- Tailored roadmap building, including suggestions for courses, internships, and extracurriculars that strengthen your profile.
- Application strategy and essay help to ensure your story stands out in the admissions process.
Contact us for a free session and learn how we can help you!
FAQs on Most Popular College Majors
1. What is the most successful major in college?
It depends on how you define success be it salary, Job placement, or career satisfaction. The answer for each of these themes varies.
2. What are the top 10 majors at Harvard?
Major | Percentage of 2022 Graduates |
|---|---|
Social Sciences, General | 26% |
Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 14% |
Mathematics, General | 12% |
Computer and Information Sciences, General | 11% |
History, General | 9% |
Physical Sciences, General | 6% |
Engineering, General | 5% |
Psychology, General | 4% |
Visual and Performing Arts, General | 4% |
English Language and Literature, General | 3% |
