Top 10 Most Popular Majors in the U.S.

1. Introduction

Popular college majors often maintain their status due to career versatility, strong job prospects, and proven track records of student success.

2. Most Popular College Majors

2.1 Business Administration & Management (#1)

• Annual Graduates: ~180,000
• Career Prospects:
  • Management positions
  • Business analysts
  • Logisticians
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $41,245
  • Mid-career: $70,694
• Top Schools:
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • UC Berkeley
  • USC

2.2 Nursing (#2)

• Annual Graduates: ~155,000
• Specialization Options:
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Instructor
  • Nurse Midwife
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $53,000+
  • Mid-career: $70,116
• Top Schools:
  • Molloy College
  • New York University
  • Drexel University

2.3 Liberal Arts & General Studies (#3)

• Annual Graduates: ~140,000
• Career Benefits:
  • Versatile skill set
  • Higher earning potential
  • Diverse career paths
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $36,461
  • Mid-career: $61,345
• Top Schools:
  • Georgetown University
  • Cornell University
  • New York University

2.4 General Psychology (#4)

• Annual Graduates: ~116,000
• Career Paths:
  • Social Work
  • Marketing
  • Human Resources
  • Clinical Practice (with advanced degree)
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $34,728
  • Mid-career: $60,000+
• Top Schools:
  • Stanford University
  • UCLA
  • Washington University in St. Louis

2.5 General Biology (#5)

• Annual Graduates: ~78,000
• Career Options:
  • Biology Teacher
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Science Technician
  • Medical Professional (with additional education)
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $37,500
  • Mid-career: $58,696
• Top Schools:
  • MIT
  • Stanford University
  • Tufts University

2.6 Criminal Justice & Corrections (#6)

• Annual Graduates: ~72,000
• Career Paths:
  • Law Enforcement
  • Corrections
  • Security Services
  • Forensics
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $35,293
  • Mid-career: $60,000
• Top Schools:
  • George Mason University
  • George Washington University
  • SUNY Albany

2.7 Accounting (#7)

• Annual Graduates: ~60,000
• Key Skills:
  • Financial Analysis
  • Budget Management
  • Financial Forecasting
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $44,000
  • Mid-career: $75,000
• Top Schools:
  • Bentley University
  • University of Illinois
  • Bryant University

2.8 Teacher Education (#8)

• Annual Graduates: ~57,000
• Career Focus:
  • K-12 Education
  • Adult Education
  • Special Education
• Salary Factors:
  • District Location
  • Teaching Level
  • Education Level
• Top Schools:
  • Ashford University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Kaplan University

2.9 Communications (#9)

• Annual Graduates: ~55,000
• Industry Outlook:
  • Growing field
  • Evolving media landscape
  • New communication platforms
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $37,000
  • Mid-career: $65,000
• Top Schools:
  • USC
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Northwestern University

2.10 English (#10)

• Annual Graduates: ~40,000
• Career Paths:
  • Technical Writer
  • Scriptwriter
  • Novelist
  • Teacher (with additional education)
• Salary Information:
  • Starting: $36,000
  • Mid-career: $63,000
• Top Schools:
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Georgetown University
  • University of Washington

3. Find Your Perfect Major

Ready to explore these popular majors and find the one that best matches your interests and goals?

Use our Major Matcher → to:

• Compare different majors
• Explore career paths
• Research salary potential
• Find top-ranked schools
• Get personalized recommendations

Remember: Choose a major based on your interests and strengths, not just its popularity. The right major for you should align with your career goals and personal passions.