15 High-Paying Majors That Don't Require Math

Not every student feels confident about math, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a high-paying career. Many majors value creativity, communication, or leadership instead of advanced equations or calculus. These paths still prepare you for rewarding jobs with strong salaries.

This article highlights some high-paying majors that don’t require heavy math skills. You’ll see options in business, communication, education, and the arts, along with careers that match each major. We’ll also cover what counts as a no-math major, common career outcomes, and answer FAQs about how to choose the right program.

What Counts as a “No Math” Major?

When people talk about “no math” majors, they usually mean programs where advanced math isn’t a core requirement. You might still see general education courses in statistics or algebra, but the major itself focuses on skills in writing, analysis, creativity, or leadership, instead of formulas.

Fields like communications, hospitality, or public relations, for example, focus on strategy and people skills. Others, such as creative writing or graphic design, help develop artistic abilities and problem-solving skills. These majors allow you to avoid higher-level math courses like calculus or physics while still preparing for careers that can pay well.

15 High-Paying Majors With Minimal Math

While nearly every college degree includes some general education requirements, the following majors keep math to a minimum. Ranked from highest to lowest median salary, these degrees provide career options with strong earning potential for students who prefer other skills over numbers.

1. Marketing

A marketing degree is ideal if you prefer creativity and strategy over advanced math. In this program, you’ll learn how to research audiences, manage campaigns, and shape brand messaging across digital and traditional platforms. While you may work with basic statistics or performance metrics, the focus is on ideas and communication. 

Graduates often become digital strategists, marketing managers, or brand directors, leading teams and budgets. Experienced marketing managers earn some of the highest salaries in this field, with a median annual salary of about $159,660.

2. Human Resources

If you enjoy working with people and helping organizations thrive, human resources may be a strong major for you. HR programs focus on areas such as employee recruitment, training, workplace culture, and conflict resolution, while requiring very little math beyond payroll basics and reporting.

As you gain experience, you can move into management roles where you’ll oversee benefits packages, workplace policies, and employee development programs. These positions are well-compensated, with human resource managers earning a median salary of around $140,030 per year.

3. Public Relations

Public relations majors focus on shaping the public image of companies, nonprofits, and individuals. Instead of advanced math, you’ll spend your time learning communication strategy, media relations, and crisis management. Courses often include writing, marketing, and digital media, all aimed at preparing you to tell a compelling story to the public.

Graduates often begin their careers as PR specialists and move into management roles, where they oversee campaigns, press releases, and brand messaging. With experience, you can earn a strong six-figure salary, as public relations managers see a median income of about $134,760 per year.

4. Communications

Communications majors learn how to share ideas effectively across various platforms, from corporate communication to digital media and journalism. Coursework includes writing, public speaking, and media production, with occasional use of statistics or analytics for research.

This degree opens doors to careers in media, marketing, and public affairs. Many graduates advance into management roles or specialize in digital communication, a field that continues to grow in demand. The median yearly salary for professionals in media and communication management is about $132,870.

5. Healthcare Administration

If you’re interested in healthcare but don’t want to work directly with patients, a major in healthcare administration can be a great fit. These programs focus on leadership and management skills rather than heavy math, preparing you to oversee hospital operations, coordinate staff, or shape policy. 

You’ll study health systems, ethics, and organizational behavior while building communication and problem-solving abilities. Careers include roles such as a medical and health services manager, where median salaries reach about $117,960 per year.

6. Film & Media Studies

Studying film and media lets you combine creativity with critical thinking. You’ll explore everything from film history and media theory to hands-on production skills like editing, directing, and project management. These programs focus on storytelling and cultural analysis rather than advanced math.

With this background, you could pursue careers in directing, producing, or managing media projects for film, television, or streaming platforms. Salaries vary by industry and location, but professionals in this field earn a median of about $83,480 per year, with the potential for higher pay in entertainment hubs.

7. Environmental Studies

Environmental studies is a flexible major that blends policy, sustainability, and advocacy. Unlike environmental science, it teaches solutions and planning rather than heavy lab work or advanced math.

Graduates can work in nonprofits, government agencies, or corporate sustainability departments. Salaries depend on the industry, but many positions in policy or management offer competitive pay. The median income for environmental studies professionals is about $80,060 per year, with strong opportunities for leadership as demand for sustainable practices grows.

8. Criminology/Criminal Justice

Criminology and criminal justice majors study the causes of crime, justice policy, and corrections systems. Coursework often includes law, sociology, and ethics, with only basic statistics required for research.

This degree prepares you for careers in law enforcement, corrections, or policy analysis. Many graduates begin as police officers or correctional officers before moving into detective or federal agency roles. Salaries vary, but the median pay for police and detectives is about $77,270 per year, with opportunities for advancement into higher-paying positions.

9. Writers & Authors/Creative Writing

A creative writing or English degree is a good choice if you love storytelling and expression. Instead of math, your coursework will focus on writing workshops, literature, and editing, helping you develop a strong portfolio. You can also explore technical writing or copywriting for more structured career options.

Graduates often work as authors, editors, or content strategists, where strong communication skills are in high demand. While salaries vary by role, the median income for writers and authors is about $72,270 yearly, with higher pay in technical and corporate writing.

10. Hospitality Management

Hospitality management is designed for people who enjoy organizing, leading teams, and creating positive experiences for guests. Classes cover hotel operations, event planning, customer service, and tourism management, while only basic accounting or budgeting math comes into play.

After graduation, you might manage a resort, oversee large events, or work in corporate hospitality. Career options are broad, ranging from local hotels to global travel companies. Pay depends on the size and location of the business, but the median salary for hospitality managers is about $68,130 per year.

11. Education/Teaching

Education programs focus on preparing future teachers and school leaders. Coursework explores child development, classroom strategies, and curriculum design, with very little math required outside of STEM teaching tracks. These degrees also encourage strong communication and leadership skills.

Career options include becoming an elementary or secondary teacher, but advancement opportunities are also strong. Many professionals move into administration as principals or curriculum coordinators. Salaries vary by district, though the median income for education roles is about $64,580 per year, offering a steady and reliable career path.

12. Social Work

Social work majors focus on helping individuals, families, and communities navigate challenges. Coursework includes counseling, advocacy, and social policy, with only introductory statistics required.

Graduates often begin careers as case managers, school social workers, or community advocates. With a master’s degree, they can move into higher-level clinical or administrative roles. The median salary for social workers is about $61,330 per year, with potential for growth in specialized areas such as healthcare or mental health services.

13. Graphic Design

Graphic design combines creativity with technology to create visual content for brands, websites, and products. In this major, you’ll study design principles, digital illustration, and user experience (UX) design, with math limited to proportions, layout, and basic measurements.

Graduates often begin as designers and can progress into roles such as art director or creative lead. Careers in advertising, branding, and digital design are especially strong. The median salary for graphic designers is about $61,300 per year, but those who advance into leadership roles can earn significantly more.

14. Journalism

If you’re curious and enjoy asking questions, a journalism degree might be right for you. These programs teach reporting, editing, and storytelling across print, broadcast, and digital media. Math requirements are minimal, usually limited to learning basic statistics or data analysis for investigative projects.

Career paths include working as reporters, editors, or producers in various media outlets. With experience, journalists can specialize or move into editorial leadership roles. While starting salaries may be modest, the median pay for journalists is about $60,280 per year, with higher wages for those in major markets.

15. Psychology (Counseling Focus)

If you’re interested in human behavior and helping others, psychology may be a good choice. Programs focus on counseling, research methods, and social sciences. While statistics is typically part of the curriculum, math beyond that is rare.

Graduates pursue careers in counseling, human resources, or applied psychology. Salaries vary widely depending on specialization, ranging from about $59,190 per year for counselors to well over $147,000 for industrial-organizational psychologists. Psychology offers a flexible pathway with opportunities to tailor your career to your interests.

FAQs About Majors Without Math

Students often wonder whether it’s realistic to find a college major that avoids advanced math while still leading to strong salaries. The answers below cover common concerns about coursework, career options, and graduate study.

Can You Really Avoid Math in College?

You can’t usually avoid math entirely, since most schools require a basic general education math or statistics course. However, certain majors minimize math, allowing your main focus to be on writing, communication, leadership, or creativity. Programs like social work, marketing, and graphic design all limit math coursework compared to STEM fields.

What Jobs Pay Well Without Math?

Plenty of high-paying careers rely on soft skills rather than equations. Marketing managers, PR directors, HR managers, and healthcare administrators often earn six-figure salaries with minimal math requirements. These jobs require people management, strategy, and communication instead of heavy technical or quantitative skills.

Do Graduate Programs Require Math?

It depends on the field. Many graduate programs in business, psychology, or the arts don’t require advanced math, though they may ask for statistics or research methods. STEM-based master’s or doctoral programs, however, usually involve significant quantitative coursework. If you’re considering grad school, check prerequisites before committing to a major.

Which Major Pays the Most Without Math?

Based on national salary data, marketing tends to be the highest-paying major that doesn’t rely heavily on math. Experienced marketing managers earn a median salary close to $160,000 per year. Other strong contenders include human resources management and public relations, both of which lead to six-figure roles with limited math.

Is Psychology Considered a No-Math Major?

Psychology is often viewed as a moderate option. You will need to take at least one statistics or research methods class, but the majority of coursework centers on human behavior, counseling, and social sciences. Many students find the math component manageable, making psychology a popular “low math” major with versatile career paths.

Discover Colleges

Explore colleges on Learn.org that offer majors with minimal math requirements. Compare programs, review salary outcomes, and find the right degree path that fits your career goals.