Best College Majors For You! Choose Well!

Deciding what to major in college is a major life decision (pun truly intended). For that reason, many students will have a lot to consider, such as career goals, time commitment, costs of college, and more. To help make the decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best college majors.

After reading this guide, you’ll hopefully have a better understanding of various college degrees. Then, you can choose what to study at university.

And, if after reading this list, you are still unsure of what you want to major in, then you can consider enrolling in college with an “undecided” or “undeclared” major status. After taking some general education courses, you may get a better idea of what interests you most and what subject you’d like to explore further.

Best College Majors

This list is made up of the most popular, in-demand, satisfying, and lucrative college majors. 

Without further ado, here’s a look at some of the best majors in college:

1. Engineering

Engineering majors apply mathematics and science to solve problems. There are a variety of different specializations to choose from within the realm of engineering, such as aerospace engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering, to name a few. Engineering is a promising major because it is in high demand and tends to pay a good salary. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for an aerospace engineer in 2020 was $118,610 per year. 

2. Business

Business is a broad major that teaches the skills and knowledge required to thrive in business environments. Students can choose to focus on various aspects of business like finance, accounting, management, human resources, marketing, or entrepreneurship, to name a few. Students who earn their master’s in business administration have the opportunity to work in high-level and leadership positions in enterprises of any size.

3. Computer Science

Students who major in computer science learn how to use computers and computational processes to solve problems, develop hardware and software, mine data, and more. In recent years, computer science is booming in popularity because of increased digitization across all sectors. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for computer and research scientists, for example, is expected to go at 22% between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the average rate of growth for all occupations.

4. Information Technology

While information technology can often be confused with computer sciences, it is its own dedicated subject. Information technology is focused on the use of information technology infrastructure and networks and how they can be used in business applications. It includes storage, networking, and computers. The major often blends together concepts from business, information technology, computer science, cybersecurity, and communication.

5. Construction Management

Within the building sector, there’s a need for architects, engineers, designers, and construction managers. Construction managers interpret blueprints and oversee each phase of a project to ensure everything is running smoothly and safely. While not every construction manager will have a degree in the field, it is starting to become a requirement and most definitely serves as a competitive advantage when applying for these positions. If the college you wish to attend doesn’t have this exact major as an option but you still wish to become a construction manager, you can consider a degree in architecture, engineering, or construction science.

6. Data Science

Like computer science and information technology, the demand for data scientists is growing with the proliferation of data in the world. Data science majors learn how to analyze data and transform it into usable insights. In the major, students learn different programming languages and data transformation skills to provide businesses with business intelligence for decision-making. The average salary for data scientists and mathematical scientist occupations is $100,560. 

7. Hospitality Management

Hospitality managers are responsible for overseeing the operations of hotels, event spaces, and dining facilities. Such jobs have their fair share of perks, but there’s also a lot of stress involved since it is a customer-centric and forward-facing position. Those who want to major in hospitality management should possess skills such as leadership, problem-solving abilities, and organization, to name a few.

8. Education

While most people think of teachers when you consider a major in education, that’s just one option for an education-related career. Those who study education can work as a teacher, academic researcher, principal, administrator, or more (depending on the level of the degree they obtain). If you are interested in management roles within education, then you’ll need to consider earning your master’s in education. The career opportunities for education roles vary based on location, years of experience, and overall goals. To get a better idea of what you can do with a degree in education, check out this post. 

9. Pharmaceutical Sciences

Graduates of pharmaceutical sciences programs go on to administer and monitor medications and dosages to help improve health outcomes for patients. The undergraduate programs typically cover course subjects like organic chemistry, biochemistry, human anatomy, plus more. On average, pharmacists earn $128,710 per year. Keep in mind that most positions within this field will require a doctoral degree.

10. Nursing

With the growing population and increased prevalence of diseases, the nursing sector is primed for growth. Nurses typically take classes like human anatomy, microbiology, pathophysiology, and more to be prepared to work with patients. They also have to complete clinical experience before working in a healthcare setting. According to the BLS, the demand for registered nurses is expected to grow at 9% between 2020 and 2030.

Final Thoughts

Any good college major can become the best college major when it represents what you are interested in learning and your career path. The aforementioned majors are on this list as the best college majors because they are in high demand, offer stable salaries, and can help you to achieve your career prospects.

Whatever you choose to study, we wish you the best of luck throughout your educational journey! If you’re interested in majoring in Health Science, Education, Business Administration, or Computer Science, you can do so online at the University of the People. Click here to learn more about our degree-granting programs!