The Most Popular College Majors

The most popular college majors are business, health professions, and social sciences. These majors are offered at nearly every private and public college.

Education is one of the most important fields in the world and can open a myriad of career paths for graduates. Educators shape the knowledge of generations, so it’s hard to overstate their significance.

Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical sciences are one of the most popular college majors because they offer students an excellent opportunity to study biology and medicine in a research-intensive environment. They also allow students to learn how to apply scientific procedures to solve pressing medical problems.

Biomedical science professionals use their knowledge of the human body to make discoveries that benefit the public. They spend their days analyzing samples of blood, bacteria, and other organic matter and inventing new ways to address health issues.

Graduates in biomedical science usually have a solid background in biological science, laboratory work, data analysis, and problem-solving. They can pursue careers as anything from a crime scene investigator to an environmental engineer to a neuroscientist.

Computer Science

If you’re interested in problem-solving and technology, computer science might be the right major for you. It’s a highly innovative field that allows you to use your creativity to develop new technologies.

A computer science degree can open doors in a variety of fields, including programming, network administration, information systems management, and data science. It can also help you pursue entrepreneurship, which is an exciting option for many students.

The field of computer science is constantly evolving and changing. This means that you may need to re-train or update your skills as you move up the ladder in your career.

A degree in computer science can open the door to many different careers, but it’s a challenging major that requires patience and discipline. It also requires strong maths skills and the ability to think critically and creatively. It’s worth the time to complete this degree if you’re serious about becoming a professional in the field of computers.

Political Science

One of the most popular college majors in political science focuses on the study of how government operates and how people interact with it. This degree can be used to pursue careers in business, law, and government service.

A political science major can also help you develop research skills, such as the ability to analyze statistics. Data analysis is a growing focus in poli/sci programs, which can make you well-positioned to find employment in a variety of sectors.

Students who major in this field may choose to specialize in a subfield, such as American politics or international relations. They will also likely take introductory and upper-level courses that explore topics like international law, energy policy, and civil war.

General Engineering Degree

Engineering is one of the most popular college majors because it offers so many career opportunities. Students can use their training in chemistry, physics, and mathematics to solve a variety of problems and design devices and systems that benefit the community.

In fact, the majority of graduates work in a field related to the discipline they studied, such as chemical or mechanical engineering. They can also pursue a doctorate degree and teach engineering courses.

Getting a bachelor’s degree in general engineering is a good place to start because it gives you a strong foundation in many different engineering fields. This is especially helpful if you want to move on to graduate school after you earn your bachelor’s degree and specialize in a specific area within the field.

Social Sciences

The social sciences are one of the most popular college majors, with a number of different options. These include psychology, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, history, and more.

While these disciplines share some common methods with the humanities, they also entail more quantitative and scientific research techniques. For instance, economists rely on statistics and forecasting to understand trends, while political scientists use polling and surveys to track the political landscape.

The social sciences are a core component of a traditional liberal arts education, and they can lead to a variety of career opportunities in the business, health, and law fields. As with any major, students should choose a college degree that suits their interests and future plans.

Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering is one of the most popular college majors because it offers a wide range of career opportunities. Those who choose to study this subject can find jobs in almost any industry, from healthcare to manufacturing to oil and gas.

Industrial engineers develop systems to make products and services in the most efficient way possible. This helps businesses save time, money, and resources, as well as energy and manpower.

Students in this major must take courses in engineering principles, mechanics and mathematics. They should also take classes in statistics, computer skills, ergonomics and management science. Many schools also offer co-op programs where students gain experience in the industry and design their own research projects as part of their academic work.

Culinary Arts Programs

Culinary arts programs are one of the popular college majors and for good reason. They offer a wide range of career opportunities in the hospitality industry, including prep cooks, chefs, and front desk staff.

Students with culinary arts degrees benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention. They also have the chance to learn from world-renowned chefs, whose techniques they’ll be using in their future careers.

Typically, these programs are two years long, but you can find them at many different levels of education. They often include a number of Gen Ed courses and may require externships.

Economics Majors

Economics offers students a broad background in business, finance, and the social sciences. It’s also an excellent preparation for graduate school or law school.

As an economics major, you will study supply and demand, market failure, public finance, price controls, taxation, international trade, monetary policy, and other topics. These topics help you understand individual markets and the overall economy.

In addition, you will learn how to think through theoretical models, develop a critical eye and cultivate a rigorous method of logical reasoning. This can help you in a variety of career fields including law, medicine, government, non-profits, and international relations.

Sociology Majors

Sociology majors study the social interactions and issues that affect society. They learn how to ask important questions, conduct research and analyze data using various methods, including qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Many also go on to careers in the business world. The skills they gain from their degree can be applied to human resources management jobs, where they help to recruit, hire and train new staff.

Journalism Degree

A journalism degree teaches students to research and report news stories using traditional and convergent media. It also introduces students to computer and technology skills necessary to produce stories in a digital age.

In addition to writing, a journalism major typically takes courses in audio and video production, broadcasting, and web design. The course also teaches students budgeting, teamwork, and project management skills, which can help them find employment in the field after graduation.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering majors use a combination of science and mathematics to design new devices. They also use their creative skills to help solve problems.

You need a strong understanding of mechanics, thermodynamics, and electricity to work as a mechanical engineer. A strong grasp of these topics will allow you to create efficient and reliable products. You also need to have the ability to work with computers and computer-aided design (CAD) tools.

Electrical Engineering

If you’re interested in designing and testing all types of electrical devices ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles, an electrical engineering degree is the way to go. This is one of the popular college majors, and for good reason: it gives students a broad range of career opportunities.

You can specialize in a variety of subfields, including power engineering, which focuses on the generation and use of electricity as a utility. You can also design control systems, which make equipment operate without human intervention.

Performing Arts

The performing arts are a collection of creative activities that use speech, gesture, music, dance, and visual art to tell stories in front of an audience. They include theatre and musicals, magic, illusion, mime, circus arts, stand-up comedy, improv, and professional wrestling.

Most performing arts degrees are practice-based and primarily focused on learning the craft of performance. They are also academic and will cover the history, theory, and practice of the subject.

Business Majors

Business degrees are among the popular college majors, accounting for 19% of bachelor’s degree holders in the United States. These programs help prepare students for careers in the business world by teaching theories of finance, marketing, and management.

Depending on your interests, business majors can lead to a variety of career options. For example, a business administration and management major may focus on business ethics, law, and organizational strategy, while an international business major examines business relationships abroad.

The most common bachelor’s degrees in business include a bachelor of arts (BA) and a bachelor of science (BS). BA students take more courses in the humanities and social sciences while BS students have more requirements in math and science.

The most popular business degree is a master of business administration (MBA). MBA programs are highly respected and train individuals in advanced business management principles, economics, and law. Graduates of these programs typically earn high salaries in a variety of fields, including accounting, marketing, and management.

Biology Degrees

Biology is a field of study that examines life at both the macro and micro levels. It encompasses a wide range of studies and can include everything from the evolution of organisms to their relationship with ecosystems.

Other biology jobs involve research and development of pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceutical sector is a growing industry that needs people with scientific expertise to test new drugs and develop them for the market.

Chemical Engineering

A chemical engineering major teaches students how to build and operate plants that transform raw materials into valuable products. This includes designing equipment and systems for refining chemicals, petroleum, foods, and pharmaceuticals.

To become a chemical engineer, you need to complete courses in chemistry and math. You should also choose a program that offers cooperative education and internship opportunities. These hands-on experiences can be invaluable for your future employment and graduate school applications.

Music Education

If you’re a musician or have always wanted to be a music educator, this major is the perfect fit for you. You’ll get a broad foundation of knowledge and experience in pedagogy, performance, music theory, and history, and learn how to teach pre-K-12 students.

You’ll also have opportunities to perform as part of various ensembles, including chamber choirs and major choral groups. You’ll gain experience through fieldwork, student teaching, and other classes designed to prepare you for the world of music education.

Studies indicate that children who are involved in music training experience greater neural growth than those who are not. This is because the brain works differently when a person plays an instrument or sings.

It also improves hand-eye coordination. The multitasking that musicians must do helps develop the brain’s motor skills.

Finally, music education is an important way to build vocabulary and increase a child’s exposure to different languages. This is because music has many sounds and lyrics, which makes it an excellent tool for learning a new language.

Studies show that music education benefits children by improving their grades in school, reducing discipline problems, and increasing the odds that they will go on to graduate from college. It also enhances students’ overall engagement in school and increases the chances that they will have long-lasting friendships.

Civil Engineering

When it comes to choosing a college major, it’s important to choose a field that will prepare you for a successful career. Civil engineering is one of the most popular majors because it prepares you for a variety of jobs in the construction industry.

In this major, you’ll take classes that teach you how to build structures and improve transportation systems. You’ll also study topics that can help you reduce air, water, and soil pollution.

As a civil engineer, you can work in the public or private sector. Some civil engineers work in the construction industry, while others work for consulting firms or government agencies.

You’ll learn about reducing pollution, building alternative energy sources, and improving congested transportation systems. You can pursue a graduate degree and seek leadership positions in this field.

Students in civil engineering bachelor’s programs study topics like calculus, analytical geometry, physics, chemistry, and geology. They also learn about computer-aided drafting and modeling. You can also earn a specialized degree concentration in areas such as geotechnical engineering or water resources engineering.

History Major

History is one of the popular college majors at liberal arts colleges. A bachelor’s degree in history allows students to pursue a variety of jobs and career paths.

Among the many benefits of studying history is that it helps you understand what has caused the world to change over time, which can help you understand how to navigate your own life. For example, learning about the American civil rights movement teaches you how people can organize successfully against oppressive systems.

Another benefit of history is that it teaches you how to be more emotionally intelligent. Studying times of struggle and times of joy will help you develop a fuller mindset that can help you handle unforeseen situations.

If you want to study history, you should choose a program that is focused on your area of interest or that offers specialization. For instance, you may be interested in learning about the Middle East or European history.

Software Engineering

Software engineering is one of the popular college majors, largely due to the growing demand for computer software and applications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of software engineers is expected to grow by 26% between 2021 and 2031, adding approximately 370,600 jobs.

This field involves designing, coding, and maintaining computer systems. It is a highly technical field and requires a lot of training and experience to become successful.

As a software engineer, you can pursue a career in a variety of industries, including healthcare, telecommunications, education, government, manufacturing, and transportation. You can also choose to specialize in areas like cybersecurity or machine learning.

The most successful software engineers focus on collaborative relationships with their peers, cultivating healthy and respectful groups that foster a positive culture. This is essential because they can’t grow as professionals in isolation.

You can develop your skills by attending seminars and conferences, learning from experienced professionals, and participating in mentorship programs. These activities help you stay updated on the latest technology and keep your coding skills strong. They can also provide you with opportunities to network with others in the industry, including employers.

Finance Major

Finance is one of the popular college majors because it offers students an opportunity to gain a wide range of skills that can be applied in many different careers. In addition, financial degrees have lucrative salaries and offer job growth opportunities.

A bachelor’s degree in finance typically requires students to take courses such as economics, portfolio management, and financial analysis. These courses are designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge they need to succeed in this career field.

While earning a finance degree can lead to a variety of jobs, some of the most common are in corporate finance and public finance. These positions involve analyzing the finances of companies and assessing their financial performance.

The finance sector has been projected to add more than 800,000 new positions in the next decade. While it is a competitive industry, it can also be lucrative for students who are able to secure internships and full-time jobs in this area.

Students who choose to study finance as a major often benefit from a career with clear progression routes, according to data collected by Niche. This is because the financial industry is a highly regulated and competitive sector, meaning it’s not uncommon for companies to hire new employees in large numbers.

Pharmaceutical Sciences

The pharmaceutical sciences major is one of the popular college majors because it offers a wide variety of career paths. This degree can lead you to many different fields such as pharmaceutical research, medicine, biotechnology, and regulatory affairs.

The most common path in this career is to complete graduate school and earn a higher-level degree. Often, this leads to advancement in the field and an opportunity to work at higher-level positions within the drug industry.

Another possible career path in the pharmaceutical sciences field is to create products that will help save lives. A lot of people die every year from diseases that could be cured by medicines formulated by pharmacists.

Pharmaceutical scientists investigate how drugs interact with the body, as well as the disease-causing organisms and cells that lead to illness. They then test and evaluate whether a new drug is effective for a particular disease.

Because pharmaceutical scientists spend most of their time in a laboratory, they need to have strong lab skills and confidence that their work is scientifically sound. They also need to have a strong understanding of drug design, development, and regulation, and how these elements impact the patient.