Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Query about the easiest and hardest college degree majors

I've been thinking a lot about what I want to major in, and I'm curious. What are considered some of the easiest and hardest college degree majors these days?

a year ago

This is a loaded question, as the "difficulty" of a major can be highly subjective and dependent on an individual's strengths, interests, and work ethic. What may be regarded as easy for some students might be challenging for others, and vice versa. However, from a general perspective, certain disciplines are commonly seen as challenging due to the complexity and rigor of their content or the time they require.

Commonly, STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), particularly in fields like Chemical Engineering, Physics, and Biochemistry, are often viewed as demanding due to heavy course loads, rigorous lab work, and the abstract and complex nature of the content.

Additionally, Pre-Med and Nursing are widely recognized as challenging due to the intense courses, labs, and internships necessary, as well as the emotional weight of dealing with health care issues.

On the other hand, "easier" majors, or those typically perceived as less demanding, often include fields within Liberal Arts and Humanities such as Communications, English, or History. This perception primarily comes from the fact that these areas often require less technical and abstract knowledge, fewer labs, and less time-intensive course work.

However, the level of difficulty in any major can vary widely based on the program, the school, and most importantly, the student's passion and dedication to the subject matter. Someone who loves languages may find majoring in Linguistics or Foreign Languages a breeze but struggle with Physics, whereas a mathematically-inclined student might face the opposite scenario.

By the way, it's crucial to remember that the perceived difficulty of a major should not be the primary factor influencing your decision. Passion, personal interest, and career goals should play a pivotal role in this choice because enjoying what you study is a key factor in achieving academic success and future career satisfaction.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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.