How Many People Double Major?

For many college students, a single major isn't enough. Preparing for a career is often benefited by studying multiple fields of study. Although it's less popular than a single major or a major and a minor, double majors are common. About 10-25% of all current college students are working towards a double major.

How Many People Double Major?

Numbers vary from school to school and degree to degree, but on average, 10 to 25% of all undergraduate students are in a double major program. This data means that anywhere from around 870,000 to 2,174,715 students nationally study multiple disciplines. Double majors are most popular in concentrations such as business administration and engineering.

What Is a Double Major?

A double major is a single undergraduate degree with two concentrations with equal credit hours given to both. For most bachelor's degrees, there is a requirement of around 120 credit hours. A double major program allows students to complete the major requirements of both concentrations to form a single degree. Instead of a single major, the combination shows two separate concentrations.

Selecting two college majors allows students to prepare for specializations in their future fields.

Benefits of a Double Major

Double majors can lead to an increase in coursework and increased course load, but these increased demands are worth it for many students because of benefits such as:

• prepares students for specialized careers
• gives a well-rounded base for graduate school programs, like law school and medical school
• allows students to expand their studies beyond a single concentration

How To Decide if You Should Pursue a Double Major

There are multiple benefits to pursuing a double major, but that doesn't mean that it is the right higher education plan for everyone. Before you decide to join the 10 to 25% of college students who are working towards a double major, there are several factors you need to consider.

Assess Your Career and Life Goals

A double major program prepares students for a career, specifically careers that branch into multiple sectors, such as combining political science and Spanish or another foreign language. Take stock of your career goals and where you want to go. Determine whether your desired career will benefit from completing the course requirements of a second major.

Your primary major should always be the focus of your studies. A double major might not be best for you unless a second program supports or benefits your primary education.

Consider Your Financial Situation

College expenses are near the highest they've ever been. Most double-major programs won't increase tuition costs if completed on time. If your double major goes beyond four years or includes summer courses, you might not be able to apply certain types of financial aid. Some scholarships and grants are allocated only to spring and fall semesters and won't cover summer classes, as well as having limits to a certain number of years.

If your situation relies heavily on financial aid programs, ensure you plan accordingly to maximize your aid package.

Take into Account Your Passions and Interests

Although no college major is easy, many students perform better in programs they are passionate about. If you're going to expand your degree plan, try to select a supporting program that interests you and supports your primary major. Choosing a double major you're passionate about and can help you prepare for your future career is a significant step to making your degree worth it.

Determine Your Areas of Study

Start by looking at what your primary degree covers. Once you establish the course requirements of your primary major, you should review your career goals and see if there are any gaps between your primary major and the career requirements. Adding a second major can be beneficial if you notice the potential for skill and knowledge gaps.

Speak To an Academic Advisor

Talking to an academic advisor is a good idea before any college degree plan and starting a double major. Degree requirements include electives and general education courses, but double majors often use the classes of one major to fill these roles for the other. This schedule sometimes takes creative scheduling to ensure both majors' requirements get fulfilled on time.

Speaking with a representative from the academic advising team at your school will help you schedule your time in college, which can help with everything from financial aid planning to scheduling internships.

What Is the Difference Between a Dual Degree and a Double Major?

One common alternative to a double major is a dual degree program. A double major includes two concentrations on a single undergraduate degree. A dual degree program is two separate degrees, often a combination of an undergraduate and graduate degree or two variants of the same concentrations, such as a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science.

Although both programs study multiple fields, the main difference is the resulting degree. A double major is a single degree with several concentrations listed on it. A dual degree program is two unique degrees earned independently of each other.

FAQs About Double Majors

Even though double majors are common, there are many questions about this education plan.

Is a Double Major Impressive?

Double majors can be impressive, but their value relies more on the individual majors that make up a double major. Some double-major combinations like business administration and engineering or computer science will hold high value to employers because of the skills combined.

However, combining public health and English may not be viewed differently than a single major in public health. Speaking with an academic advisor can help you select favorable majors for employers.

How Hard Is It to Double Major?

All college degree programs come with difficulty. A double major can be difficult due to doubling the course load of a single major program. Picking courses you're interested in or passionate about can help make your double major easier.

Can I Drop My Second Major if I Change My Mind?

You can, but it's not as easy as deciding to stop. If you want to drop a double major, you must speak with an academic advisor to help realign your schedule. Some financial aid packages depend on credit hours per semester, and dropping a second major can bring you below certain thresholds.

Is Double Majoring in Two Completely Different Fields Worth It?

Ultimately, a double major's worth depends on how well it applies to your career. Studying different fields can be worth it if your career path includes two distinct types of work, like business administration and healthcare. On the other hand, if your career is highly specialized and one of your majors is unrelated to the other or your career path, it probably won't be as beneficial to pursue multiple areas of study.