What's the most useful major?

Asked by: Linwood O'Reilly  |  Last update: April 6, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (65 votes)

The most useful majors often fall into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and Healthcare, with Computer Science, Nursing, and various Engineering fields (Electrical, Computer Engineering, Petroleum, Aerospace) frequently cited for high demand, strong salaries, and good job security. Mathematics and Statistics are also highly valuable for their versatile, future-proof skills in data-driven fields, while Business and Accounting offer broad applicability in leadership and finance. Ultimately, the "most useful" major depends on balancing personal interests with strong career prospects like those in tech and medicine.

What are the most useful majors?

25 valuable majors for college students

  • Biomedical engineering. ...
  • Computer science. ...
  • Marine engineering. ...
  • Pharmaceutical sciences. ...
  • Computer engineering. ...
  • Electrical engineering. ...
  • Finance. ...
  • Software engineering.

What is the #1 easiest major?

There's no single #1 easiest major, as it depends on your skills, but Psychology, Communications, English, and Education consistently rank high for perceived ease due to less demanding technical requirements, focusing more on writing, soft skills, and human behavior. These majors often feature high GPAs and manageable coursework compared to STEM fields, offering broad career paths in fields like social work, marketing, public relations, and teaching. 

What are the top 3 majors?

The top 3 most popular college majors, consistently leading in enrollment and degrees conferred in the U.S., are Business, Health Professions (like Nursing), and Social Sciences, often followed closely by STEM fields like Engineering and Computer Science, depending on the specific metric (popularity vs. earning potential). Business consistently ranks #1 in sheer numbers of graduates, while health (especially Nursing) and tech-focused majors offer high demand and strong salaries, making them top choices for career prospects. 

What degrees is Gen Z getting?

The big reveal… what are the most popular majors we're seeing?

  • Business administration & management. ...
  • Engineering & computer science. ...
  • Nursing. ...
  • Environmental science. ...
  • Sociology. ...
  • Education.

Top 10 College Majors That Are Actually Worth It

33 related questions found

What is a high demand major?

Degrees such as nursing, mathematics, computer science, and various branches of engineering consistently offer low unemployment rates and strong growth potential. Students pursuing these programs benefit from high starting salaries, steady demand across industries, and long-term career security.

What is the least stressful major?

Anthropology, business, and communications are sometimes considered easier than other majors, thanks to their emphasis on qualitative information. STEM majors, like computer science and engineering, are typically seen as more difficult due to their emphasis on math.

What are good 2 year degrees?

Here are some of the highest-paying two-year degree programs to consider.

  • Air Traffic Control/Management. ...
  • Nuclear Science or Nuclear Technology. ...
  • Radiation Therapy. ...
  • Dental Hygiene. ...
  • Sonography and Cardiovascular Technology. ...
  • Radiologic and MRI Technology. ...
  • Respiratory Therapy. ...
  • Aerospace Engineering or Engineering Technology.

Which major has the most dropouts?

Dropout rates by major:

STEM fields have higher attrition than non-STEM majors overall. Computer science has a 10.7% early dropout rate (among the highest) Business and engineering also show high early losses. Only 40% of those who declare STEM majors complete the degree.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Earning $2,000 daily usually involves high-income skills or scaling businesses, with options like specialized freelancing (consulting, web design, high-ticket sales), digital products (courses, printables), e-commerce (dropshipping, flipping), or high-demand gig work (AI training, specialized rentals), often requiring significant upfront effort or existing expertise to reach that level quickly, with some options taking months or years to become consistent. 

How much is $100K salary hourly?

If you make $100,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $48.08.

What is a new collar job?

What does “new collar” mean? The term “new collar” is associated with professions where employees develop their technical and soft skills through nontraditional education paths. Employers trying to fill these roles focus on candidates' skill sets rather than formal education degrees.

What major is Future Proof?

Think biomedical engineering , chip design/EE, cybersecurity, robotics, applied math/quant finance, medicine. CS is still solid, just don't do it in isolation but pair it with another domain (CS + bio, CS + EE, CS + stats) and you'll stay competitive. Future-proofing is really about adaptability, not one magic degree.

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 degree is still worth it?

Of the over two million degrees conferred, business degrees had the highest number.

  • Computer Science. Median salary: $136,620. ...
  • Business Administration. Median salary: $76,000. ...
  • Healthcare Administration. ...
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management. ...
  • Economics. ...
  • Management. ...
  • Management Information Systems. ...
  • Accounting.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $10,000 a month without a degree in high-skill trades (elevator tech, electrician), sales (solar, real estate, insurance), specialized trucking (owner-operator), tech roles (web dev, drone pilot), or by starting your own business/freelancing in areas like content creation or digital marketing, often requiring specialized training, certifications, or strong commission-based performance rather than a traditional degree. 

What are the top 10 careers in demand?

Get Matched!

  • Nurse Practitioner. #1 in 100 Best Jobs. ...
  • Financial Manager. #2 in 100 Best Jobs. ...
  • IT Manager. #3 in 100 Best Jobs. ...
  • Information Security Analyst. #4 in 100 Best Jobs. ...
  • Physician Assistant. #5 in 100 Best Jobs. ...
  • Medical and Health Services Manager. #6 in 100 Best Jobs. ...
  • Software Developer. #7 in 100 Best Jobs. ...
  • Data Scientist.

What is a quick degree that pays well?

Quick degrees that pay well often involve associate degrees in high-demand tech or healthcare fields like Nuclear Tech, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or Engineering Techs, or accelerated bachelor's degrees in Computer Science, Software Development, or Business Administration, leading to roles in Air Traffic Control, IT, or Management with strong earning potential, often bypassing traditional four-year timelines through certificates or accelerated programs. 

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.
 

How to make $100,000 a year with no degree?

You can earn $100k+ without a degree through high-demand skilled trades (electrician, plumber, elevator technician, heavy equipment operator), tech roles (software development, IT management, cybersecurity), specialized fields (air traffic controller, commercial pilot, sales), and entrepreneurship, relying on certifications, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and experience instead of a traditional degree. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% (top income bracket) disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Dartmouth, Princeton, Yale, Penn, Brown), Stanford, Duke, and Washington University in St. Louis, where they often outnumber students from the bottom 60% of earners, though some top public universities like UVA also draw significant numbers of wealthy students.
 

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

Yes, jobs paying $400,000 without a degree exist, notably Walmart Supercenter Managers, who can earn that much with bonuses and stock, but other paths include high-stakes sales, software development, commercial real estate, skilled trades (like power plant operators), and successful entrepreneurship/influencing, all requiring expertise and performance over formal education. 

What are top 3 majors?

The top 3 most popular college majors, consistently leading in enrollment and degrees conferred in the U.S., are Business, Health Professions (like Nursing), and Social Sciences, often followed closely by STEM fields like Engineering and Computer Science, depending on the specific metric (popularity vs. earning potential). Business consistently ranks #1 in sheer numbers of graduates, while health (especially Nursing) and tech-focused majors offer high demand and strong salaries, making them top choices for career prospects. 

What profession makes $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300k/year are typically in specialized fields like medicine (surgeons, anesthesiologists), law (big law partners), finance (investment banking, private equity), and high-level tech (principal software architects, senior engineering/product management), requiring significant education, experience, or specialized skills, though some roles in sales, skilled trades, or entrepreneurship can also reach this level. Roles often involve advanced degrees (MD, JD, MBA), high responsibility, or performance-based compensation, with top earners often being specialists or executives.