What are considered to be the most difficult degrees to pursue?

I'm looking ahead at college and working on planning the path to my future career. I have heard some degrees are more challenging than others. Any thoughts on which ones might be the hardest to pursue? Any advice is appreciated.

The difficulty of a degree can depend a lot on a person's individual strengths, interests, and the specific requirements of the program. However, there's general agreement that some fields tend to be more academically challenging due to the complexity of material and heavy course loads.

Five degrees commonly cited for their difficulty are:

1. Engineering: Particularly specialties like electrical, chemical, and aerospace engineering are known for intense math and science coursework. Projects and lab work are also often time-consuming.

2. Physics: This field involves a deep understanding of complex mathematical concepts and principles governing the natural world, which can be quite challenging.

3. Medicine (Pre-Med): While medicine itself is a graduate program (like MD or DO), pre-med undergraduate tracks are known for rigorous science coursework, including biology, chemistry, and physics, and the necessity to maintain a high GPA for medical school entry.

4. Mathematics: This degree requires abstract thinking and a strong grasp of theoretical concepts, and includes high-level courses in areas like calculus, statistics, and algebra.

5. Computer Science: Though it can vary by program, computer science degrees often involve heavy coursework load including complex areas like algorithms, data structures, and programming.

While these subjects are generally seen as difficult, keep in mind that everyone's strengths and interests are different. The degree that's the hardest for one person might be the most exciting and enjoyable for another.

Also remember that the difficulty of a degree doesn't necessarily correlate with its value or with eventual job prospects. All degrees will pose certain challenges and require effort. The best choice will likely depend on where your interests lie within this balance. One strategy for choosing a degree program could be to investigate which subjects you find most interesting, and then consider how the rigors of those fields align with your academic and future career goals.