Majors - Campus Explorer

Choosing a major is one of the most crucial decisions you will make in your college career. Once you’ve determined what you want to do with your life, pursuing the right bachelor’s degree program and selecting an appropriate major can help you achieve those goals. However, choosing just one option isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve compiled this list for prospective students who want to gain a deeper understanding of potential majors. Some options might be perfect for you, while others may be less desirable if they don’t align with your interests or values. Whatever decision you make, take time to research all possibilities before settling on your final choice.

Table of Contents

What Are Majors in College?

A college major is a specific area of study that a student pursues. Your major determines your coursework and the skills you develop. Different majors often lead to distinct career paths, so when choosing your major, you’re taking a significant step toward determining your future professional direction.

If you’re undecided about your major when beginning college, you might consider starting with General Studies. This allows you to complete core requirements while exploring various disciplines, helping you make a more informed decision about which major best suits you. Similarly, if you select a major early but later discover other fields better align with your interests, you can change your academic focus. However, be aware that switching majors later in your academic journey will likely extend the time needed to complete your degree.

Many colleges allow students to remain “undeclared” or “undecided” for a period (typically the first year or two), which differs from formally declaring General Studies as a major. This undeclared status lets students complete general education requirements while exploring different fields through introductory courses.

Not all colleges offer a General Studies major. Alternatives include:

Liberal Arts/Liberal Studies programs that provide broad educational foundations
Interdisciplinary Studies programs that allow students to combine multiple areas of interest
University Studies or University College programs designed specifically for exploring students
Exploratory tracks or “pre-major” designations at some institutions

Some institutions may require students to declare by the end of their sophomore year, while others offer more flexibility. Additionally, some schools have specific exploration programs with dedicated advisors who specialize in helping undecided students find their academic path.

For students concerned about efficient degree completion, another option is choosing a versatile major with broadly applicable skills (like communications, business, or psychology) that can lead to diverse career paths while deciding on more specific long-term goals.

What’s the Difference Between a College Major and Minor?

A college major is your primary area of academic focus that determines your degree type (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Biology). It requires a substantial number of credit hours (typically 30-60) and forms the core of your undergraduate education. Your major courses will develop specialized knowledge and skills in your chosen field.

A minor, by contrast, is a secondary concentration that requires fewer credits (typically 15-18) and provides complementary knowledge to your major. While not resulting in a separate degree, a minor allows you to explore additional interests or develop skills that enhance your marketability.

Students who have interests in multiple subjects have the option to choose a major and a minor. While majors are specific degrees, minors are concentrations that allow you to take courses in subjects that are especially appealing to you and that may help hone your professional skills. Majors and minors often work hand in hand to help prepare you for a future career. For example, you might choose to major in marketing with a minor in graphic design.

Majors and minors are often within the same or similar fields of study, such as finance and economics. If you are equally passionate about two separate fields, you may be better suited to a double major, which allows you to earn two degrees at the same time.

Majors and Minors in College

What’s the Difference Between a College Major and Minor?

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Major

Choosing a college major is a significant decision that can influence your academic journey and career path. Here are key factors to consider:

Personal Interests and Passions: Select a field that genuinely excites you. Students who are passionate about their studies typically perform better academically and experience greater satisfaction with their education.

Natural Aptitudes and Strengths: Consider subjects where you’ve historically excelled. Your innate abilities can make certain fields more accessible and enjoyable.

Career Prospects and Job Market: Research employment trends, salary potential, and job growth in fields related to potential majors. While not the only consideration, understanding the professional landscape is important.

Program Quality: Investigate the strength of specific programs at your institution. Faculty expertise, research opportunities, internship connections, and program resources vary significantly between schools.

Curriculum Requirements: Review course requirements for potential majors. Consider whether prerequisites, required courses, and elective options align with your interests and abilities.

Work-Life Balance: Different careers offer varying lifestyles. Consider whether potential careers aligned with your major will provide the work schedule, stress level, and location flexibility you desire.

Financial Considerations: Evaluate the cost of completing your degree relative to expected earning potential. Some fields may require additional certifications or advanced degrees.

Flexibility and Versatility: Some majors prepare you for specific careers, while others develop transferable skills applicable across various industries. Consider how adaptable your degree will be to changing interests or market conditions.

Value Alignment: Reflect on whether careers associated with your potential major align with your personal values and goals for making an impact in the world.

Remember that your major is important but doesn’t permanently determine your career path. Many professionals work in fields different from their undergraduate majors, and graduate education or certificate programs can help you pivot later if needed.

Majors and Minors in College

What’s the Difference Between a College Major and Minor?

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Major

Choosing a college major is a significant decision that can influence your academic journey and career path. Here are key factors to consider:

Natural Aptitudes and Strengths: Consider subjects where you’ve historically excelled. Your innate abilities can make certain fields more accessible and enjoyable.

Curriculum Requirements: Review course requirements for potential majors. Consider whether prerequisites, required courses, and elective options align with your interests and abilities.

Financial Considerations: Evaluate the cost of completing your degree relative to expected earning potential. Some fields may require additional certifications or advanced degrees.

Value Alignment: Reflect on whether careers associated with your potential major align with your personal values and goals for making an impact in the world.

Tools and Resources for Choosing a Major

Making an informed decision about your college major requires gathering information from multiple sources. Here are valuable tools and resources to help guide your selection:

Career Assessment Tests: Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, and Holland Code assessments can help identify fields that match your personality, interests, and work preferences.

College Career Centers: Most institutions offer free career counseling services, including major exploration workshops, one-on-one advising, and resources for connecting majors to potential careers.

Academic Advisors: Schedule meetings with advisors from departments you’re considering. They can provide detailed information about program requirements, course content, and career paths.

Major and Career Fairs: Attend campus events where academic departments showcase their programs and employers discuss careers related to various majors.

Informational Interviews: Speak with professionals working in fields you’re considering to gain firsthand insights about daily responsibilities, required skills, and job satisfaction.

Course Catalogs and Degree Maps: Review the specific courses required for potential majors to better understand the curriculum and whether it aligns with your interests.

Alumni Networks: Connect with graduates from your institution who studied majors you’re considering to learn about their career trajectories and experiences.

Bureau of Labor Statistics: The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information about various careers, including required education, job duties, work environment, and projected growth.

Professional Association Websites: Industry organizations often provide career information, internship opportunities, and resources specifically for students considering the field.

Exploratory Courses: Take introductory classes in subjects you’re considering to experience the material firsthand before committing to a major.

Job Shadowing and Internships: Gain practical exposure to potential career fields to test whether they match your expectations and interests.

Online Career Exploration Platforms: Websites like Roadtrip Nation, MyMajors, and Major Matcher offer tools specifically designed to help students connect their interests to potential majors and careers.

Remember that utilizing multiple resources provides a more comprehensive understanding of your options. The most effective approach typically combines self-assessment tools, expert guidance, and firsthand experience in fields you’re considering.

Types of College Majors

Colleges and universities offer many kinds of majors. No matter your interests, you are likely to find a college major that allows you to gain valuable knowledge and skills.

Business Majors

Business is one of the most diverse fields when it comes to college majors. Possible majors in the business realm include:

Accounting
Finance
Marketing
Administration or management
International business

Each of these majors focuses on a different aspect of business, such as managing money, supervising employees, or engaging with customers. Business majors are a great fit for many different kinds of employers, including private companies, healthcare facilities, schools, and financial institutions.

Tech Majors

Generally speaking, technology majors are skilled at using technology. However, the type of technology that interests you can help determine which major is the best fit. If you have a passion for technology, you may want to consider majors like:

Data analytics
Software development
Cybersecurity
Web development
Information technology
Computer science

These majors all lend themselves to work in multiple industries, including government, healthcare, finance, and education. As technology continues to grow and evolve, tech majors will likely have a prominent place in the job market.

Medical Majors

Although many people associate medical degrees with doctors, that is only one of many options available if you are interested in a career in medicine. Some of the most popular medical majors include:

Nursing
Physical therapy
Athletic training
Biochemistry
Biology
Occupational therapy

When choosing a medical major, consider whether you want to work as a care provider, such as a nurse, or whether you would prefer to conduct research in a lab, which is the case for many biochemists. Several of these majors are excellent options if you hope to attend medical school, but they also serve as preparation for careers in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and research labs.

Art Majors

Art majors take coursework focused on different artistic mediums, including painting, ceramics, and photography. Depending on which kind of art you most enjoy, you might choose a major like:

Fine arts
Graphic design
Digital arts
Theater
Fashion design
Cinematography
Languages and literature
Interactive media design

While majoring in one of these areas, you will take courses that allow you to understand the history and theories of art, as well as how to create your own artistic works. Many art majors go on to work as content creators for private companies. Others become freelancers and sell their work to individual clients.

Law Majors

If you have an interest in the origins and interpretations of laws, a law major might be a great fit. Colleges and universities offer majors that relate to law in different ways, including:

Business law
Criminal justice
Political science
Psychology
Economics

Many students who major in law do so with the intention of one day attending law school and becoming attorneys. Other law majors hope to take on positions in government or the criminal justice system.

Most Popular College Majors

College students in the United States can choose from more than 1,000 possible majors, but some are in higher demand than others. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the most popular college degrees are:

Business, including management and marketing
Health professions and related programs, including nursing
Social sciences and history
Psychology
Biological and biomedical sciences
Engineering

In 2019 and 2020, more than half of the bachelor’s degrees conferred in the United States were in these fields of study, and 19% of those degrees were in business.

Highest Paying College Majors

When you choose a major, it’s important to consider your interests, skills, and career goals. For many students, potential future earnings are also an important consideration. While your college major definitely isn’t the only factor that determines how much money you will earn, certain majors are associated with higher-paying careers. A 2023 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York states that the majors with the highest median early career wages are :

Chemical engineering
Computer engineering
Computer science
Aerospace engineering
Electrical engineering

These majors all have median annual wages above $70,000 per year. Engineering majors also have the highest mid-career wages, with chemical engineers earning median salaries of $120,000 annually. In addition to engineering, graduates of business, finance, and nursing programs also fall within the top 20 highest-paying college majors.

Best College Majors for the Future

When determining the best college majors for the future, it’s important to balance multiple factors beyond just earning potential. While salary prospects and job growth are significant considerations, your personal interests, aptitudes, values, and long-term fulfillment should also guide your decision.

According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare occupations are projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. Approximately 1.9 million openings are projected annually in these occupations due to both employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave permanently.

The financial outlook varies significantly within healthcare fields. Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (such as dental hygienists, physicians, surgeons, and registered nurses) had a median annual wage of $80,820 in May 2023—well above the $48,060 median for all occupations. However, healthcare support occupations (such as home health aides, medical transcriptionists, and occupational therapy assistants) had a lower median annual wage of $36,140.

Similarly, the BLS projects continued strong growth for careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Current BLS data shows STEM occupations are projected to grow 10.4% through 2033, compared to just 3.6% for non-STEM occupations. STEM fields also offer substantial earning potential, with a median annual wage of $101,650 in 2023—more than double the median for non-STEM occupations ($46,680).

With these projections in mind, some promising college majors for the future include:

Engineering (particularly biomedical, environmental, and software engineering)
Computer science and technology
Healthcare and nursing
Business and finance
Renewable energy and sustainability
Data science and analytics

While business occupations may not have the accelerated growth rates of engineering or healthcare, business and finance degrees prepare students for a wide range of positions across diverse industries, offering flexibility and adaptability in a changing job market.

Remember that the “best” major is ultimately one that aligns with your personal strengths and interests while providing reasonable career prospects. Consider speaking with academic advisors, career counselors, and professionals in fields that interest you to gain insights beyond employment statistics.

Can I Change My College Major?
Yes, most colleges allow students to change their major, often multiple times. The process typically involves meeting with an academic advisor, completing a form, and ensuring you meet the requirements for the new major. Keep in mind that changing majors may extend your time to graduation, especially if you switch to a field with significantly different coursework.

Can You Have Multiple Majors?
Yes, many colleges offer the option to pursue a double major or even a dual degree. While a double major allows you to earn one degree with two fields of study, a dual degree typically involves earning two separate degrees simultaneously. Balancing multiple majors requires careful planning, but it can enhance your skill set and expand your career opportunities.

Does the Major You Select Have a Direct Impact on Job Opportunities After Graduating?
In some fields, such as engineering, nursing, or accounting, your major plays a significant role in determining your career path. However, many industries prioritize skills, experiences, and transferable knowledge over a specific major. For example, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills can open doors to a wide range of careers, regardless of your field of study.

Does My Major Dictate My Career Forever?
No, your major does not necessarily determine your lifelong career. Many professionals pursue careers unrelated to their undergraduate major. Gaining relevant experience through internships, certifications, and continued learning can help you pivot into new industries or roles throughout your career.

Sources

Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Labor Market Outcomes of College Graduates
National Center for Education Statistics, Most Popular Majors
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment in STEM Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Healthcare Occupations

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