10 of the Most Popular Undergraduate Majors

Key takeaways:

Business, Health Professions including Registered Nursing, and Psychology are the most popular undergraduate majors.
Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Science were also commonly chosen.
To identify the right major for you, consider your education and career goals, interests, strengths, and weaknesses.

We put together a list of 6 of the most popular undergraduate majors.

While most students don’t have to select a major until the end of their sophomore year in college, it doesn’t hurt to have an idea of what you’d like to study well before that. You can get a head start on classes and find the right college program for you. Plus, some competitive programs require you to declare your major during admissions. Not sure what to study? Start your search with these most popular undergraduate majors.

What Are the 10 Most Popular Majors?

Here are the 10 of the most popular undergraduate majors and fields of study, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) .

1. Business

Undergraduate business has been one of the most popular programs, if not the most popular, for more than 50 years.

A diverse field with a multitude of specializations and job opportunities, students can choose from a general education or a concentration, such as Finance, Economics, Accounting, Human Resources, Hospitality, and Marketing.

Here are a few majors that fall under the Business umbrella:

2. Health Professions and Related Programs

From nursing to healthcare management and from dental to surgical, the choices are certainly endless. However, some jobs in this field require additional education. For example, doctors can take up to 14 years to complete school!

A few majors to consider in healthcare include:

3. Psychology

Psychology has been a popular major for over 50 years. Similar to Biology, many jobs in this field require a graduate degree, including forensic of clinical psychology. Classes can cover behavior, analysis of disorders, treatment, research, and similar topics.

A few Psychology concentrations and majors include:

4. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

As with the previous majors on this list, Biological and Biomedical Sciences consists of several different concentrations under one umbrella. It’s a gateway to many health careers and graduate programs, including dental, medical, veterinary, physician assistant, and research. You will need a master’s, professional, or doctorate after undergraduate school to pursue a majority of careers in Biology and Biomedical Sciences.

Here are a few majors to consider for this degree:

5. Social Sciences and History

Humans are social creatures by nature. Studying relationships, networks, communities, and societies is just as imperative as remembering the histories of those who came before, so we can constantly work towards a better future for all.

Classes in both social sciences and history can vary greatly depending on your passions and areas of focus. Usually, you will take courses on specific periods, issues, human behavior, cultures, public policy, research, or other related areas.

Some popular majors in Social Sciences and History include:

6. Engineering

Engineering has raced to the top of the charts in recent years. Coursework in this major depends on your area of study, but careers in the field generally require an aptitude for complex problem solving, critical thinking, math, analytics, and judgment. With strong job prospects and high earning potential, it’s easy to see why it’s a commonly chosen major.

Some popular major options in Engineering are:

7. Computer Science

Students can choose from different areas of study within IT, including software engineering, data analysis, machine learning, and cybersecurity. Colleges are adding new fields all the time as technology evolves. Popular majors include:

8. Visual and Performing Arts

Visual and Performing Arts allows for personal and creative expression. Students in this field already have a passion for the arts and are ready to turn it into a career. Here are a few majors to consider if you want to answer the call from art:

9. Education

Teaching gives students a sense of purpose and provides a structured career path. Keep in mind, some states require you to earn a master’s to teach. Classes cover lesson planning, class management, communication, and more.

Many future teachers opt to study:

10. Communication

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs remains a popular major. Many pursue this area of study as it provides transferable skills, such as writing, public speaking, and overall communication. Graduates can pursue jobs in journalism, marketing, government, nonprofits, and more.

Students often choose these majors:

Should You Study One of the Most Popular College Majors?

While the most popular college majors may seem like a safe bet in regard to your area of study, you should go beyond these numbers. What works for one student may not be ideal for you. Follow these tips to find the right major:

Consider what drives you. Think about your passions, interests, and strengths – as well as your weaker areas.
Talk to family and friends. They can give insight into yourself you might not have thought of.
Meet with your college advisor or counselor. Advisors can help you explore your options and point you towards additional resources.
Participate in job shadowing. Many of us have romantic notions of a number of fields, and often find out too late they’re not like the media portrays. Forensic science is a good example – it’s nothing like CSI! Job shadowing allows you to see the real day-to-day.
Test the waters. Take a variety of courses that call to you before you declare a major to see what’s out there.
Determine your long-term goals. Do you want to pursue a graduate degree? Do you want a job that’s stable, high-paying, engaging, or something else?

Want to learn more about these majors and others? Check out our Major Search tool, which can give you in-depth information regarding expectations, skills, the best schools for your goals, and more.

The 10 most popular undergraduate majors