If you struggle in school, you might be interested in learning about “easy bachelor’s degrees” and what they pay after graduation. Thankfully, there are easy degrees that pay well including English, accounting, and criminal justice, among others.
| Degree | Average Starting Salary for Graduate with BA |
|---|---|
| Business Administration Major | $39,500 |
| English Major | $40,400 |
| Human Resources Major | $40,400 |
| Criminal Justice Major | $40,800 |
| Marketing Major | $40,600 |
| Supply Chain Management Major | $39,500 |
| Psychology Major | $38,300 |
| Communication Major | $40,000 |
Easy Degrees That Pay Well
Keep in mind that what is easy for one student may not be easy for the next. However, the eight undergraduate programs we listed below are generally thought to be the “easiest.” When choosing one, think about your strengths and your interests. The more interested you are in a subject, the easier they tend to be for you.
8 Easy Majors That Pay Well
1. Business Administration
Business administration is a top example of an “easy major.” And, some programs will also only take 3 years to finish! These are easy degrees that pay well, and they offer a ton of flexibility with whatever career direction you choose.
Students in this area of study will learn about:
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- Human Resources
- Planning and starting a business
- The processes of a company
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Management
- Logistics
- Decision-making for businesses
- and more
Careers for Business Administration Majors
There are a wealth of careers available to business administration majors, too, and you may even decide to become an entrepreneur! It’s a degree that has a lot of potential.
Some careers that pay well include:
- Chief Executive: Median salary: $189,000
- Sales Manager: Median salary: $127,490
- Industrial Production Manager: Median salary: $103,150
- Construction Manager: Median salary: $98,890
Top Schools For Business Administration
If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in business administration, these are some of the top-rated schools that offer this easy major:
- Babson College
- University of Southern California
- Chapman University
- See more top colleges for Business majors
2. English
English is another easy major that is considered “simple.” This program can open the door to plenty of opportunities from marketing to writing. Students studying English can often choose between several different concentrations including creative writing, literature, and journalism. If you love reading and writing, too, this can be a great option.
In these classes, you can expect to learn about:
- Communication skills
- Literature
- Writing
- Expository writing
- Writing composition
Careers for English Majors
A few careers you might want to consider with an English degree are:
- Technical Writer: Median Salary: $79,000
- Content Writer: Median salary: $73,000
- Editor: Median salary: $73,000
- Executive Secretary or Assistant: Median salary: $65,000
Top Schools For English
A majority of schools offer English or related majors, but these three reign supreme for this easy major:
- Columbia University
- Dartmouth College
- United States Naval Academy
- See more top colleges for English majors
3. Human Resources
If you have an interest in business, a knack for law, and a desire to work for others, human resources may be for you. This major prepares you for working in the human resources department or similar areas. Human resource majors help businesses and their employees work through payroll, personnel problems, laws, sexual harassment, and more.
If you’re thinking about a degree in human resources, you’ll be learning about:
- Management of employees
- Organization policy
- Labor relations
- Sexual harassment
- Civil rights
- Work systems
- Career management
- Hiring and recruitment
- Employing testing
- Job training
- Payroll, pay scales, benefits, and compensation
- and more
Careers for Human Resources Majors
Most who major in human resources will generally go on to work in the field of the same name. Some of the highest-paying jobs include:
- Compensation and Benefits Manager: Median salary: $127,530
- Human Resources Manager: Median salary: $126,230
- Training and Development Manager: Median salary: $120,130
- Labor Relations Specialist: Median salary: $82,000
Top Schools For Human Resources
If you’re pursuing a degree in human resources, these schools may top your list:
- Rutgers University
- University of Arizona
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- See more top colleges for Human Resource majors
4. Criminal Justice
Criminal justice programs often have different areas of concentration available to students, and it can greatly impact what you learn about in the classroom. Those who graduate with this degree can go on to become cops, investigators, bailiffs, and correction officers. Some may also use it as a stepping stone to go to law school!
In these classes, you may learn about:
- Practices of criminal justice, law enforcement, and organization management
- Law enforcement history
- Leadership
- Labor relations
- Incident responses
- Law
- Budgeting
- Public relations
- Political science
Careers for Criminal Justice Majors
If you want to become a police chief or detective, you’ll likely have to start at the bottom of the totem pole, but there is a lot of potential (and excitement) for this degree. Some criminal justice majors will go on to become a:
- Detective: Median salary: $86,000
- Police Supervisor: Median salary: $96,000
- Patrol Officer: Median salary: $65,000
- Correctional Officer: Median salary: $49,000
Top Schools For Criminal Justice
For students pursuing this easy major, they should consider one of these top 3 schools:
- CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Monroe College
- University of New Haven
- See more top colleges for Criminal Justice majors
5. Marketing
Another business-related easy major is marketing! If you have an interest in advertising, social media, graphic design, or something similar, this could be a great area of study for you. There are a wealth of different avenues you can take with this major depending on your career goals.
Marketing majors usually study:
- Buyer behavior
- Marketing research
- Strategic planning
- Advertising
- Sales operations
- Customer relations
- Retailing
- Market segments
- and similar subjects
Careers for Marketing Majors
Not only do you have several options available as careers, you can work in just about any industry. Almost every business, organization, and nonprofit out there needs someone on their marketing team. Here are just a few of the top-paying careers in the industry:
- Marketing Manager: Median salary: $135,030
- Sales Manager: Median salary: $127,490
- Advertising and Promotions Manager: Median salary: $127,150
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist: Median salary: $63,920
Top Schools For Marketing
If you’re thinking about getting a degree in this particular easy major and field, these three top schools may interest you:
- Miami University-Oxford
- Florida State University
- The University of Alabama
- See more top colleges for Marketing majors
6. Supply Chain Management
This is probably one you didn’t expect on the “easiest majors” list. You’ll definitely need to be interested in the subject to find Supply Chain Management easy, however, it is considered to be one of the simplest yet best-paying bachelor’s degrees out there.
Classes in supply chain management will cover:
- Logistics
- Handling and receiving materials
- Purchasing
- Inventory control
- Manufacturing
- Shipping management
- Transportation
- Quality control
- Budgeting
Careers for Supply Chain Management Majors
Most studying this subject will, of course, plan to work in supply chain management. Some top-paying careers in this field are:
- Industrial Production Manager: Median salary: $103,150
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager: Median salary: $98,230
- Quality Assurance Manager: Median salary: $103,150
Top Schools For Supply Chain Management
For those interested in logistics, supply chain, and transportation, some top schools you should consider include
- Rutgers University
- University of Massachusetts – Amherst
- Michigan State University
- See more top colleges for Supply Chain Management majors
7. Psychology
While you will need a bit of extra education and work to become a therapist, undergraduate psychology is regularly thought of as an easy major. There are several specializations based on your interest, so you’re sure to find something you’re passionate about. It’s also a great major for those who want to better understand people, help others, and work in social settings.
Psychology students will learn about:
- Human behavior, both individual and collective
- Behavioral problems
- Mental disorders
- Research
- Assessment
- Testing methods
Careers for Psychology Majors
Many might think you can’t do a lot (or earn much) with just a bachelor’s degree in psychology, but they’d be wrong. You could become a:
- Human Resources Specialist: Median salary: $64,000
- Social Worker: Median salary: $60,840
- Human Resources Manager: Median salary: $126,230
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker: Median salary: $51,000
Top Schools For Psychology
Psychology can be a strong but easy major, and if you want to receive a top-notch education, consider these top-rated colleges and universities:
- Stony Brook University
- University at Buffalo
- Florida International University
- See more top colleges for Psychology majors
8. Communications
Another “easy” major we just have to mention is communications. This is a great field if you’re interested in current events, the media, politics, cultures around the globe, and new experiences. The field can be competitive, but there are many career fields available to graduates.
Communications classes will cover:
- Media
- Media technology
- Theories of communication
- Critical thinking
- Printed media
- Digital media
- Mass media
- Journalism and inquiry
- Argumentation
- Persuasion
- and more
Careers for Communications Majors
While you likely think “journalism” when it comes to communication, there are other job options available to those who earn bachelor’s degrees in this field – and they pay fairly well. A few of the higher-paying ones:
- Marketing Manager: Median salary: $135,030
- Public Relations Specialist: Median salary: $62,800
- News Analyst, Report, or Journalist: Median salary: $48,370
Top Schools For Communications
Interested in earning an easy degree in communications? Consider these top 3 schools:
- Boston University
- Marist College
- Wake Forest University
- See more top colleges for Communication majors.
FAQ About Easy Majors
What is an Easy Major?
We focused on majors that are generally considered easier compared to others. Students tend to have an easier time with the subject matter and they don’t include courses like organic chemistry or high-level math courses such as calculus. However, “easy” is subjective, and subject matter that is easy for one student may not be so for the next.
Should You Choose an Easy Major?
When choosing a major, you should always consider more than what’s “easiest” on a board scale. Instead, consider the degrees of difficulty AND what is interesting to you, what you’re passionate about, what kind of pay you expect to earn, and what you can see yourself making a career out of.
READ MORE >> How Do I Choose My College Major? – College Raptor
If you simply go for the “easiest” majors with the highest return, you might not find the subject matter easy at all. If you’re not interested in the subject, it can be difficult to find the motivation to complete work, study, or even attend class.
But these easy majors we listed above can be a springboard for you to choose the path for your future education.
What Degrees Generally Pay the Most Money?
Generally speaking, STEM-related majors tend to have the highest incomes. However, there are plenty of other majors that can deliver high salaries. For instance, business administration, one of the easy majors we listed above, also has a very high earning potential.
Want to explore these undergraduate majors and others that sound interesting to you? Use our Major Search tool to uncover areas of study, what you’ll learn in the classes, the best schools for each major, and career prospects.
*More salary information can be at Occupation Finder : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
