Blog

In the 2018-19 academic year, U.S. universities awarded 2 million bachelor's degrees. More than half of these degrees were concentrated in six major fields. Abundant job opportunities and high starting salaries make certain fields even more attractive.

For example, business, healthcare, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) collectively account for about one-third of all undergraduate degrees. These fields continue to experience strong job growth, making them highly popular choices for easier post-graduation employment. 


 

Top 7 most popular majors at U.S. universities
 

1. Business

Business administration is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees in the United States., and 390,600 bachelor's degrees were awarded in business administration in 2018-19.

Business programs explore fundamental business principles and practices that enable companies to operate efficiently. Students pursuing business majors often study interdisciplinary concepts to develop strong communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills.

   - Median Annual Salary: $250,000

   - Job Growth Rate: 8%

   - Accounting, Management, Business Intelligence, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Finance, International Business

2. Medicine and Healthcare

Due to an aging population and increased reliance on healthcare services, overall demand for careers in the medical field is expected to rise as well. According to NCES, in 2018-19, programs related to healthcare awarded 251,400 bachelor's degrees, accounting for 12% of all bachelor's degrees.

Each medical profession field seeks students with advanced knowledge from high school students to professionals, including pre-study like AP subjects. For instance, aspiring nursing specialists must undergo rigorous clinical training involving direct patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, and public health settings.

The entry requirements for these programs are becoming more stringent. Subjects like anatomy and physiology are now indispensable, forming core components of the curriculum rather than optional electives.

   - Median Annual Salary: $69,870

   - Job Growth Rate: 16%

   - Health Information, Health Science, Health Services, Medical Administration, Medical Management, Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition Science, Public Health, Sports Médicine

3. Social Sciences

To meet the growing demand for professionals, more students are opting for social science majors. According to NCES data, in 2018-19, universities conferred 160,600 degrees in social sciences and history combined, indicating nearly one in ten students majored in social sciences.

Undergraduate social science programs typically integrate various disciplines such as economics, sociology, and history. Social science programs often provide liberal arts education, fostering students' analytical, communication, and leadership skills to prepare them for diverse career paths.

   - Median Annual Salary: $69,760

   - Job Growth Rate: 8%

   - Anthropology, Criminology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology, Media Studies

4. Engineering

As the market expands, there is an anticipated increase in demand for engineers. In 2018-19, approximately 126,700 students earned bachelor's degrees in engineering.

Engineering programs vary by specialization but generally cultivate students' project management, graphic communication, and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, students focus on using mathematical models and quantitative methods to find solutions to modern issues.

   - Median Annual Salary: $83,160

   - Job Growth Rate: 6%

   - Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Renewable Energy, and other alternative energies

5. Biology and Life Sciences

U.S. universities awarded 121,200 bachelor's degrees in biology and life sciences in 2018-19. This number represents a 35% increase since 2010-11, highlighting the field's high earning potential and growth.

Undergraduate biology programs explore various subjects such as ecology, cell biology, and genetics. Hence, students who have enrolled in such programs since high school are preferred by departments.

   - Median Annual Salary: $94,270 (Biochemists and Biophysicists), $85,290 (Other Biologists)

   - Job Growth Rate: 5%

   - Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Wildlife Biology

6. Psychology

With an increasing number of people experiencing mental health issues, more individuals are seeking assistance from psychologists. In 2018-19, universities conferred 116,500 bachelor's degrees in psychology, accounting for 6% of all bachelor's degrees awarded.

Psychology programs typically focus on research methods, statistical analysis, and cognitive processes. Graduate programs often include supervised clinical experience.

While a doctoral degree is typically required for clinical psychologists, a bachelor's degree in psychology remains popular in fields such as business and education due to its development of human behavior understanding.

   - Median Annual Salary: $82,180

   - Job Growth Rate: 8%

   - Applied Psychology, Behavioral Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Organizational Psychology

7. Computer and Information Sciences

As web development technologies become ubiquitous, companies seek trained computer professionals to solve technical problems and enhance efficiency. Consequently, universities have heavily invested in this field. In 2018-19, universities awarded 88,600 bachelor's degrees in computer and information sciences.

Some universities have separate departments dedicated to computer science beyond their engineering colleges. Undergraduate computer science programs typically cover topics such as information theory, programming, data structures, and operating system fundamentals. Thus, students with prior experience working with various programming languages since high school are often preferred.

   - Median Annual Salary: $91,250

   - Job Growth Rate: 13%

   - Computer Programming, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Database Management, Information Technology, Network Administration, Software Engineering