Did some college research today and it got me thinking - what majors or degrees are the most common among college students? Are there any trends or shifts in popularity worth noting? It might help me get a better grasp of what fields are saturated and which ones might be overlooked. Thanks for your help!
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the most commonly pursued undergraduate degrees in the U.S. are Business, Health Professions (like Nursing or Public Health), and Social Sciences and History. These have consistently been popular for several years now.
However, note that popularity does not necessarily mean an area is oversaturated. For example, the Health Professions degree is popular, but there is still considerable demand in the healthcare field due to aging population and increasing health concerns.
There has been a notable uptick in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields, especially Computer Science. The demand for skills in technology, data analytics, and coding has been growing rapidly, which results in a significant number of students choosing this pathway.
On the other hand, certain fields have seen a reduction in numbers. Degrees in Education and English, for example, have seen fewer enrollments compared to a decade ago. This doesn't mean these fields aren't valuable, but there may be less competition if you're considering them.
Remember, your choice of major should be influenced by your interests, abilities, and long-term career goals, and not just by the trends. Following your passion and excelling in a particular field can often lead to success, regardless of the degree's overall popularity.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.