The 10 Most Popular College Major

1. Business

Business programs explore fundamental business principles and practices that enable companies to run efficiently. Students pursuing a business major often study multidisciplinary concepts so they can develop strong communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills. 

2. Health Professions

As the population ages and people become more reliant on healthcare, the demand for health professionals is projected to rise. This demand may help explain why health-related majors are among the most popular degrees. 

3. Social Sciences and History

Undergraduate social sciences coursework generally takes an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating topics like economics, sociology, and history. Social sciences programs often provide a liberal arts education, developing students' analytical, communication, and leadership skills, while preparing them for an array of potential career paths. 

4. Engineering

While major coursework varies depending on the type of engineering, all programs develop students' skills in areas like project management, graphical communication, and problem-solving. Students can also expect to find solutions using math models and quantitative methods. 

5. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

U.S. colleges bestowed 121,200 bachelor's degrees in biological and biomedical sciences in 2018-19. This figure represents a 35% increase since 2010-11, when 89,980 degrees were conferred. Many biology-related occupations promise high earning potential and growth, which may help explain why this field is so popular. 

6. Psychology

Psychology coursework typically focuses on research methods, statistical analysis, and cognitive processes. Graduate programs also usually include supervised clinical experiences. 

7. Communication and Journalism

A communication or journalism major helps students learn marketable skills like writing, editing, and critical thinking. In 2022-13, approximately 92,500 students earned a bachelor's degree in communication or journalism. Both fields prepare students for careers in business, marketing, and writing. 

8. Visual and Performing Arts

Undergraduate art courses build creative, collaborative, and time-management skills. Students can expect to spend a lot of time working in studios and labs. Some art programs focus on theory and practice, whereas others delve more into areas related to administration and design. 

9. Computer and Information Sciences

Undergraduate computer science programs generally cover topics like information theory, programming, data structures, and operating system fundamentals. Computer science majors often work with several programming languages and solve complex coding problems. 

10. Education

In education and teaching programs, undergraduates learn how to manage classrooms, design curricula, and support students. Common courses include contemporary teaching practices, social contexts of education, and adolescent development. 

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