What majors are declining?

Asked by: Danial Terry  |  Last update: February 6, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (51 votes)

Declining college majors are primarily within the Humanities (English, History, Languages, Philosophy, Religious Studies) and certain Education fields, driven by shifts towards career-focused degrees and concerns about job prospects, though some specialized STEM areas also see fluctuations, while overall enrollment shifts away from traditional paths. Specific areas with noted decreases include English, History, Education, Social Sciences, and some physical sciences, with declining enrollment in humanities often linked to perceived lack of direct career paths.

What college majors are declining?

Most notably, English and linguistics declined by 39 percent, and history dropped at a rate of 38 percent. Both sociology and education were down by 17 percent and 15 percent, respectively. “Fewer students choose comms, as well as other specialized degrees, because it doesn't guarantee a job or career path it once did.

What majors are not in demand?

Precision Production, Library Science, Military Technologies, and Theology are among the least common majors. Some majors are uncommon due to limited career demand, niche interest areas, and limited access to specialized equipment or resources.

Why is Gen Z not going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to exorbitant costs, massive student debt, and diminishing perceived value, leading many to explore alternatives like trade schools, skilled trades, or direct entry into the workforce for faster financial independence and relevance in a changing job market. They've witnessed Millennials struggle with debt and see a better ROI in hands-on skills, with many prioritizing practical skills and immediate earning potential over traditional degrees. 

What majors do people regret the least?

Of those who participated in the 2023 College Major Satisfaction Survey, 13.2% said that if they could choose their major now, they would choose Computer Science, 8.2% would choose Business, 6% Engineering, and 5.2% Nursing and Healthcare.

What Job Should You Get? (ODDLY SPECIFIC)

18 related questions found

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying over $400,000 without a college degree exist, with Walmart Store Managers being a prominent example due to increased bonuses and stock, while other high earners include roles in enterprise tech sales, commercial real estate, high-level trades (like nuclear operators, air traffic controllers), and self-made entrepreneurs/influencers, all relying on high skill, performance, and market demand, not just degrees, according to sources from Tallo and The Wall Street Journal. 

Which major is oversaturated?

One such example is Psychology. While it is a fascinating subject, the number of students who major in Psychology significantly outweighs the number of jobs available in the field, especially for those who only have a bachelor's degree.

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of families disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth College, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Duke University, Stanford University, and Princeton University, with studies showing over 20% of students at some of these schools come from the top 1% of the income ladder, often more than from the entire bottom 60% combined. Other affluent institutions like Washington University in St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, Georgetown University, and Bowdoin College also have significant representation from the wealthiest families.
 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as rankings fluctuate, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the most difficult to get into globally, often with acceptance rates below 4-5%, seeking exceptional academic and extracurricular profiles, with some sources placing Minerva University even lower at 1%. The difficulty depends on the specific year and applicant pool, but these elite institutions remain extremely selective. 

What is the most oversaturated degree?

While this will vary somewhat by geography and specific industry needs, some studies have found that the majors with excess graduates relative to job demand include Criminal Justice, Journalism, Anthropology, Photography, Art History, Music, and Psychology.

What jobs will be gone by 2030?

By 2030, jobs involving repetitive tasks, data entry, customer service, and routine administration are at high risk of disappearing or significantly shrinking due to AI, automation, and digital transformation, including roles like data entry clerks, telemarketers, bank tellers, cashiers, assembly line workers, administrative assistants, and travel agents. Automation impacts both blue-collar roles (manufacturing, logistics) and white-collar tasks (bookkeeping, basic legal, customer support), with significant shifts expected across sectors like retail, finance, transportation, and administrative support. 

What's the rarest major?

The rarest college majors are often highly specialized fields like Puppet Arts, Egyptology, Astrobiology, Bagpiping, or niche areas like Bakery Science & Management (only offered at Kansas State), focusing on unique skills or ancient studies with limited career paths but dedicated programs. While some uncommon majors (like Theology or Library Science) are rare due to low demand, others, such as certain Engineering or Arts degrees, are rare because they're exceptionally specific or offered at only one or two universities. 

Are degrees worth it anymore in the UK?

Graduates tend to earn more over their lifetimes than non-graduates: it's often cited as a “graduate premium” of over £100,000 (net of tax and inflation) across a career. By the age of 31, graduates in the UK earn approximately 32%–37% more on average than peers who could have attended university but chose not to.

Which degree is best for the next 10 years?

24 of the most useful degrees for the future

  1. Business. A business degree focuses on the different factors of running a business, including business management, marketing, accounting and human resources. ...
  2. Marketing. ...
  3. Computer science. ...
  4. Public relations. ...
  5. Psychology. ...
  6. Nursing. ...
  7. Accounting. ...
  8. Biology.

What's the hardest college to get into in the UK?

List Of Most Difficult Universities To Get Into In The UK

  • The University Of St. Andrews. ...
  • The University Of Cambridge. Acceptance Rate: 20.8% ...
  • London School of Economics. Acceptance Rate: 21.9% ...
  • University of Oxford. ...
  • Imperial College London. ...
  • University of Edinburgh. ...
  • King's College London. ...
  • University of Arts London.

How do colleges know if you're first gen?

If a student's parent(s) does not have a bachelor's degree, the student qualifies as a first-generation student. A student can still qualify if their parent(s) has some education that is less than a bachelor's degree. Learn about the National Recognition Program.

Is a 2.7 GPA bad for college?

A 2.7 GPA in college isn't great and signals room for improvement, generally falling below the ideal 3.0 mark for many competitive programs, internships, and graduate school, but it's usually high enough to avoid immediate academic probation and still allows for graduation with strong effort, especially if improved in later years. While many employers don't focus heavily on GPA after graduation, a 2.7 might limit initial job/internship opportunities, particularly in fields like STEM or business, where a higher GPA (often 3.0+) is preferred. 

What do most billionaires study in college?

Engineering

This might surprise you, but the scope of engineering is huge and widening! KEY FACT: Engineering is the most common degree among the billionaires. 22% of the world's top 100 billionaires studied engineering.

Where do the Kardashians' kids go to school?

The Kardashian children, including Kim's kids (North, Saint, Chicago, Psalm) and Kylie's daughter (Stormi), generally attend the prestigious Sierra Canyon School, a private, college-prep institution in Los Angeles known for its excellent academics and celebrity clientele, though specific attendance can vary and details are private.
 

What is number 1 uni in the UK?

The University of Oxford is generally considered the number 1 university in the UK across most major rankings (like Times Higher Education and U.S. News for 2026), closely followed by the University of Cambridge, with Imperial College London and UCL also consistently in the top tier. However, rankings vary by source, with some, like The Times/Sunday Times 2026 guide, placing Durham or LSE at the top in specific years.
 

What profession makes $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300k/year are typically high-level, specialized roles in Medicine (Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, Psychiatrists), Finance (Investment Bankers, Private Equity), Tech (Senior Engineers, Product Managers), Law (Big Law Attorneys), and Sales (Enterprise Software Sales), often requiring extensive experience or education, though successful entrepreneurs, high-end sales execs, and some skilled trades can also reach this income without traditional degrees. 

What degree is most regretted?

The most regretted college degrees often fall in humanities, arts, and social sciences, with Journalism, Sociology, Liberal Arts, Communications, and Education frequently topping lists due to concerns about job prospects and lower salaries compared to STEM or Business fields, which are often cited as regret-free choices like Computer Science and Engineering. Graduates regret majors where skills don't directly translate to high-paying jobs, leading many to wish they'd chosen more quantitative or vocational paths like Business or Computer Science for better earning potential.
 

What is the #1 happiest profession?

There's no single #1 happiest job, as it varies by individual, but recent studies and surveys often point to Construction as a top industry for overall worker satisfaction due to good pay, culture, and time outdoors, while specific roles like Data Scientists, Surgeons, Firefighters, and Psychologists are frequently cited for high satisfaction, often linked to meaningful impact, good compensation, or autonomy.