Most Popular College Majors: A Complete Ranking

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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.

RankProgram NameAwarded
#1Nursing502,306
#2Liberal Arts358,565
#3Business Administration345,420
#4General Studies126,381
#5Psychology125,892
#6Biology87,831
#7Communications81,088
#8Accounting77,713
#9Medical Assistant60,317
#10Social Work56,371
#11Cosmetology52,002
#12Mechanical Engineering47,168
#13Finance46,730
#14Computer Science46,581
#15Criminal Justice45,720
#16Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)45,607
#17Advertising and Marketing45,339
#18Welding45,129
#19Nursing Assistant43,162
#20Political Science40,521
#21Bookkeeping40,438
#22English40,214
#23Elementary Education39,239
#24Auto Mechanic35,890
#25Law34,720
#26Sociology34,466
#27Educational Leadership and Administration31,569
#28Sports Management31,338
#29Early Childhood Education30,859
#30Kinesiology And Exercise Science30,575
#31Electrical Engineering30,531
#32Economics30,457
#33Education30,423
#34EMT and Paramedic28,855
#35History28,827
#36Law and Justice Administration27,832
#37Math26,934
#38Healthcare Administration26,485
#39Information Technology26,109
#40Esthetician23,657
#41Civil Engineering21,159
#42Chemistry20,389
#43Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)19,885
#44Special Education19,775
#45Public Health19,757
#46Medicine19,720
#47Social Science19,377
#48Counseling Psychology19,208
#49Curriculum and Instruction18,739
#50Electrician17,517
#51Information Science17,466
#52Dental Assistant17,412
#53Public Administration17,301
#54Bus and Truck Driver17,020
#55Human Resources16,954
#56Pharmacy15,993
#57Family Practice Nurse15,522
#58Chemical Engineering14,118
#59Sports Medicine14,088
#60Computer Networking14,020
#61Human Services13,629
#62International Relations13,047
#63Physical Therapy12,865
#64Journalism12,648
#65Organizational Leadership12,490
#66Physics12,401
#67Culinary Arts12,204
#68Guidance Counselor12,140
#69Information Systems12,121
#70Biomedical Engineering11,888
#71Massage Therapy11,727
#72Fine Arts and Studio Arts11,372
#73Music11,113
#74Drama and Theatre Arts11,109
#75Ultrasound Technician11,092
#76Radiology Technician10,782
#77CAD10,694
#78Management Science10,654
#79Anthropology10,564
#80Physician Assistant10,193
#81Nail Technician10,042
#82Paralegal9,952
#83Biochemistry9,741
#84Family Studies9,681
#85Engineering9,631
#86Diesel Mechanic9,504
#87Industrial Engineering9,400
#88Veterinary Assistant9,272
#89Criminology9,248
#90International Business9,167
#91Biomedical Science9,141
#92Occupational Therapy9,138
#93Secondary Education9,118
#94Nursing Administration9,069
#95Logistics and Supply Chain Management9,068
#96Medical Insurance Coding8,933
#97Medical Executive Assistant8,765
#98Health Information and Medical Records Technology8,662
#99Environmental Science8,635
#100Administrative Assistant8,617
#101Physical Education8,569
#102Graphic Design8,494
#103Pharmacy Technician8,341
#104Dental Hygienist8,337
#105Fire Science8,180
#106Spanish Language and Literature8,083
#107Phlebotomy8,031
#108Neuroscience7,972
#109Cinematography And Film7,964
#110Surgical Technologist7,956
#111Computer Programming7,919
#112Industrial Mechanics7,712
#113Audiology and Speech Pathology7,709
#114Multimedia7,684
#115Physical Therapist Assistant7,650
#116Medical Insurance Biller7,619
#117Entrepreneurship7,615
#118Philosophy7,551
#119Molecular Biology7,408
#120Geology7,359
#121International and Global Studies7,321
#122Audio and Video Production7,298
#123Ministry7,140
#124Respiratory Therapy7,131
#125Animal Science7,037
#126Statistics6,811
#127Osteopathy6,700
#128Software Engineering6,692
#129Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist6,528
#130Dentistry6,403
#131Mental Health Counseling6,368
#132Creative Writing6,363
#133Theology6,189
#134Architecture6,125
#135Organizational and Nonprofit Management6,086
#136Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling6,071
#137Aircraft Mechanic6,033
#138Web Design5,566
#139Interior Design5,503
#140Public Relations5,474
#141Operations Management5,431
#142Design and Visual Communications5,385
#143ESL5,353
#144Industrial Technology5,352
#145Medical Office Assistant5,305
#146Manufacturing Engineering Technician5,300
#147Athletic Training5,283
#148Clinical Psychology5,283
#149Real Estate5,265
#150Engineering Management5,259
#151Public Policy5,189
#152Auto Body5,142
#153Animation5,136
#154Geography5,040
#155Office Management and Supervision5,000
#156Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)4,986
#157Baking And Pastry4,964
#158Nutrition4,759
#159Nursing Science4,704
#160Hospital and Healthcare Facility Management4,618
#161Exercise Physiology4,286
#162Child Care4,268
#163Machinist4,244
#164Child Development4,147
#165Medical Lab Technician4,137
#166Talmudic Studies4,126
#167Carpentry4,066
#168Risk Management and Insurance4,066
#169Aviation4,057
#170Fashion Merchandising4,036
#171Higher Education Administration3,967
#172Fire Prevention3,854
#173Commercial and Advertising Art3,825
#174Medical Office Management3,769
#175Corrections Officer3,742
#176Dietetics3,739
#177Organizational Behavior Studies3,675
#178Medical Technology3,663
#179Construction Management3,656
#180Behavioral Science3,649
#181Forensic Psychology3,596
#182Parks and Recreation Management3,574
#183Biotechnology3,567
#184Forensic Science3,530
#185Materials Engineering3,526
#186Optometry3,494
#187Art History3,487
#188Systems Engineering3,481
#189Agriculture3,464
#190Religious Studies3,433
#191Sales Manager3,388
#192Project Management3,338
#193Fashion Design3,322
#194Nutrition3,320
#195Marriage and Family Therapy3,308
#196Veterinary Medicine3,297
#197Financial Planning3,192
#198Middle School Teacher3,188
#199School Psychology3,118
#200Christian Counseling3,024

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.

Top Degress College

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