Popular College Degrees and Programs
Want to see what degrees are the most popular among students seeking postsecondary education? Below is a list of the 200 most popular degrees and certificates awarded per the most recent data published by the NCES. No differentiation is made between the varying degree levels, though minor degrees are not included. The list provides a quick idea as to which areas of study are commonly being pursued and which are believed to provide the most career choices upon completion. The data is taken from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
List of the Top 200 Most Popular Degrees & Programs
The table below lists the total degrees and certificates awarded from all accredited colleges and universities in the United State from 2015-2016. Simply click on the best degree program for you to learn more about career pathways, top-ranked colleges, popular online degrees, admissions insights, average financial aid awards, employment trends, average income by profession, and much more.
Top College Majors List by Area of Study
To view the listing of college majors by area of study, we have meticulously compiled a list by learning clusters. In other words, you may be inclined to search for nursing degrees or criminal justice careers by category instead of by state or school size. Regardless of your current college search status, you can learn details about nearly 8,000 accredited colleges and nearly 1,500 college degrees with MatchCollege. To learn more about a particular college area of study, simply select the learning domain listed below to find an array of college degree pathways.
Business & Finance
Master the fundamentals of the business world, from marketing to accounting to entrepreneurship. Develop analytical skills and leadership capability to thrive in corporate settings or launch your own venture.
Education
Cultivate a passion for learning and teaching. Build the skills to design engaging curriculum and instruction to empower students of all ages and backgrounds.
Communication & Media
Learn to produce and distribute stories that inform, inspire, or entertain across digital, print, broadcasting, public relations, and other media formats.
Law & Criminal Justice
Examine legal theory and procedures, police operations, forensic science, and the role of courts, laws, and incarceration in the criminal justice system.
Liberal Arts and Humanities
Explore literature, languages, history, philosophy, and interdisciplinary perspectives to gain cultural awareness and analytical abilities valuable in diverse careers.
Computers & Information Technology
Master languages and concepts powering innovation, including coding fundamentals, data structures, network security protocols, and advanced specializations like machine learning.
Engineering & Architecture
Integrate technical expertise with thoughtful design in civil, mechanical, aeronautical, software, chemical, environmental, and other engineering disciplines, or architect aesthetically striking and functional built environments.
Social Sciences
Delve into psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, and communication studies to understand individual cognition and behavior, social dynamics, cultural systems, and paths to address societal challenges.
Beauty & Hospitality Services
Develop creative talent and refined service skills sought by salons, restaurants, catering companies, hotels, and related establishments in the beauty, food, hospitality, and tourism industries.
Medicine & Allied Health
Prepare for roles alongside doctors, nurses, and researchers as physician assistants, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and other allied health professionals playing a vital role in healthcare delivery.
Skilled Trades & Repair Services
Gain career-ready expertise for “hands-on” vocations as auto mechanics, electricians, welders, carpenters, HVAC technicians, aircraft maintenance crew, and related fields keeping infrastructures and supply chains flowing.
Psychology
Probe how the human mind develops and functions normally and abnormally, the underlying physiological processes, and pathways to foster healthy individuals and relationships through study, research, and counseling-based interventions.
Administration & Social Services
Develop leadership, resource management, and community engagement skills for government agencies, non-profit organizations, and assistance programs tackling challenges like hunger, homelessness, and healthcare access facing vulnerable groups.
Nutrition & Wellness
Master nutrition science and holistic lifestyle approaches to counseling clients, developing programs and messaging, or conducting research that helps people achieve healthy diets and fitness levels.
Physical & Life Sciences
Understand governing laws and phenomena in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy and environmental science by conducting laboratory experiments, field research, computational analyses, and theoretical modeling.
Arts & Design
Find your creative voice through studio art, photography, graphic design, fashion, dance, music, theater, and other fine art forms. Build a portfolio to exhibit your talents with galleries, performance groups, or creative agencies.
Animal & Agriculture Studies
Prepare for roles improving animal welfare, veterinary care, livestock cultivation, and sustainable food systems through study of biology, nutrition, behavior, medical treatment, facilities operations, soil science, and business aspects.
12 Most Popular College Majors by Degree Type
The most popular college degrees conferred in the United States can be found visually below. Data was gathered from the NCES for their most recent reporting years to visually help college-bound students understand each degree cluster and its relative popularity. Degrees were ordered from highest to lowest for the current reporting year, the last year, and the prior year to provide you with degree trend patterns. A full list of the top 200 college majors are listed below the graph to provide you with the opportunity to delve into each college major.
Drawing on her experience as a middle and high school teacher, Margaret Lipman strives to provide valuable insights for students when writing about scholarships and college application strategies in her articles for Scholarship Institute.