10 Most Popular College Majors for 2025

There are hundreds of college majors available to students, and it can be hard to choose the right one. Some majors are more popular than others, often because they lead to better job security or high-paying roles.

Additionally, the most common majors are more likely to be offered at most colleges and universities. Keep reading to discover the top ten most popular college majors.

Top 10 Most Popular College Majors

College students can choose from a range of majors, but some college majors are more common than others. Below, we've featured ten of the most common college majors and broken them down in detail.

Read more: Where Can I Find a List of College Majors?

1. Engineering

Engineering is a hugely popular major for a few reasons. First, engineering is a broad field, so it's a major with many specialization options. These include:

• chemical engineering
• civil engineering
• computer hardware engineering
• electrical engineering
• industrial engineering
• mechanical engineering

Another reason engineering is a popular major is because engineers are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for civil engineers are expected to grow 6% over the next decade, and jobs for mechanical engineers are expected to grow 11%.

2. Computer and Information Sciences

Computer science and information technology are similar fields, but not quite the same. Computer science tends to focus on developing and enhancing computer programs, while IT is more focused on installing, managing, and optimizing these programs, usually in a business setting.

These programs are popular because, like engineering programs, the field is varied and jobs are in demand. Some common specializations in these fields include cybersecurity, data analytics, and information systems. They may also consist of machine learning and artificial intelligence or software development and engineering.

Computer and information science majors are generally in demand. For example, the BLS estimates that the following career paths will see high growth over the next decade:

• computer and information research scientists: 26%
• computer hardware engineers: 7%
• database administrators and architects: 9%
• information security analysts: 33%
• software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers: 17%

3. Social Sciences and History

Social sciences and social studies are vast fields. Most students choose this field because they have a passion for understanding and working with people. Some majors that fit into this category include:

• anthropology
• history
• political science
• psychology
• public policy
• sociology
• social work

Students with these majors may go on to find work in various career paths. Some may continue their education and pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to work in research or academia. Others may work in politics, social services, or mental health.

Job outlook varies significantly based on the social science field you pursue and whether you have a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctoral degree. For example, social workers can hold bachelor's or master's degrees depending on the work they do, but as a whole, they're expected to see a job increase of 7%.

4. Visual and Performing Arts

Visual and performing arts are also majors that people tend to pursue because they're deeply passionate about their field of study. Examples of majors in the fine arts include art history, graphic design, dance, music, and theater.

These jobs don't tend to be in as high demand as jobs in other fields. For example, the BLS expects jobs for graphic designers to grow by 2% over the next decade and jobs for actors to grow by 5%.

5. Business

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), business is by far the most common major for bachelor's degree students, with over 375,000 students earning bachelor's degrees in business fields in 2022. Common business majors include:

• business administration
• accounting
• human resources
• management
• marketing

Again, demand varies depending on which business degree and which career path you pursue. However, many of these career options can expect to see a growth of 7% to 8% over the next decade.

6. Education

When most people think of education as a major, they think of teachers. These are some of the most common focuses within education, but this discipline can also include majors like education administration, curriculum and instruction, student counseling, and more.

Despite teachers being in demand in many areas, the BLS doesn't expect the overall job openings for elementary, middle school, or high school education teachers to increase. However, it does expect a slight increase in openings for school counselors.

7. Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical sciences usually include biological and medical sciences, though this can sometimes also include environmental science. You may find majors or specializations like:

• biology
• biomedical engineering
• genetics
• immunology
• neuroscience
• public health

Once again, your job outlook will depend heavily on the career path you pursue. For example, if you continue to graduate school and become a physician, you can expect to see job growth of about 4%; if you become a veterinarian, you can expect job growth of about 19% over the next decade.

8. Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is a major that focuses on the root cause of and the prevention of crime. Some popular specializations in criminal justice include corrections and criminology.

Many people who choose criminal justice degrees work in law enforcement. The BLS expects jobs for police and detectives as well as probation officers to increase by 4% over the next decade, while jobs for correctional officers and bailiffs are expected to decrease.

9. Psychology

Students who pursue psychology majors usually do so because they're fascinated by how the human mind works. Psychology is always a somewhat popular field, with the NCES reporting 129,609 students earning bachelor's degrees in psychology in 2022.

Some specializations in undergraduate psychology programs include forensic psychology, child psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology. The BLS estimates jobs for psychologists will increase by 7% by 2024.

10. Healthcare

Behind business majors, majors in the healthcare field are the next most popular. NCES reports that 263,765 students earned bachelor's degrees in health professions in 2022. Healthcare majors often overlap with biomedical sciences, with common majors including:

• healthcare administrators
• nursing
• medical assistants
• public health

The BLS expects the job outlook for registered nurses to increase by 6% over the next decade. Physician assistants, on the other hand, are expected to see a job increase of 28%, while medical records specialists will likely see a 9% increase.

FAQs About the Most Popular Majors

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about the most popular college majors.

What Is the Most In-Demand College Major?

It's hard to define the most in-demand majors, since many students major in one area but don't always work in that field. However, a few in-demand majors include the following:

• nursing
• business
• computer science
• accounting
• engineering

What Is the Hardest College Major?

Everyone has a different definition of ''hard.'' However, when Big Economics surveyed college students, the most popular answers for the hardest college major were:

• biochemical science
• botany
• chemical engineering
• chemistry
• molecular biology

What Is the Easiest College Major?

Again, everyone has a different definition of ''easy,'' just like everyone has a different definition of ''hard.'' That being said, some of the college majors that are generally considered easy include:

• anthropology
• business administration
• criminal justice
• English
• public relations

What College Majors Have the Highest Employment Rates After Graduation?

The latest research that the NCES has on the majors with the highest and lowest unemployment rates after graduation shows that students in the following majors have the best chances of employment:

• teaching (especially elementary education)
• nursing
• electrical engineering
• finance

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