30 Best College Majors for the Future Rankings
Top Choice #1 Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Engineering is first on our list of rankings for the best college majors. It can be one of the most fruitful majors for young students. While the market is insanely competitive, the financial rewards for majors in this field can be incredibly high.
Because of the high competition levels for future jobs in this major, students should consider taking a master’s or even a PhD in this field for furthering their chances of success once they enter the job market in the future.
If you have a good background in math and the sciences, this may be the best college major for you. Although some core courses for this major may be completed online, petroleum engineering bachelor degrees are not offered entirely online.
#2 Cybersecurity
In an ever-changing world increasingly reliant on the use of technology, a bachelor’s in cybersecurity can be a huge advantage when looking to start a career. This major will ensure you’re knowledgable about all of the latest developments in the field and will teach you other information technology related skills like coding and software development.
A person who has studied cybersecurity will most likely end up working in cybersecurity for a business or government entity, but that isn’t the only potential career path for graduates with this college major.
Software and application development, along with several other information technology and technology-related jobs, are very popular options for someone who completes this top college major.
#3 Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear Engineering sits 3rd in our rankings for best college majors. It is an incredibly specialized major, and the financial rewards can be excellent in the long run for those who earn a bachelors in this field.
This may be a more niche field, but finding work can be incredibly beneficial from a financial standpoint. As the planet moves toward more renewable energy sources, jobs in this major are becoming more in demand, and future opportunities are becoming a little easier to come by.
If you major in this field, expect a bit of hard work and brush up on your math skills. Learning nuclear physics and how nuclear energy works, along with the necessary safety procedures, will be key parts of a nuclear engineering major.
While the employment opportunities for this college major can be lucrative, it’s important to note that a lot of employers may even expect their engineers to have either a Master’s or a PhD in the subject to secure the best future jobs.
#4 Software Engineering
Software Engineering is 4th for top college majors. It is another computer-related college major that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The increase in popularity of this best college major should come as little surprise though, with the job markets constantly expanding in this technology field.
A major in this specialty will likely feature classes in application programming, core computer concepts, cloud technology, and database systems development. It will teach future engineers some skills that will be transferable to other technology related jobs.
Software engineering majors generally find themselves working in a number of different job positions, with software and application programming and development being among the most common future career paths chosen.
#5 Physics
Physics takes 5th place for best majors. It is a top choice of college major for students because bachelor programs in physics can open up a lot of doors for graduates and can lead to someone continuing their education and working in research facilities.
Physics graduates can usually find work as engineers in various sectors or in potential roles working in academia and research. This is a top college major because research roles in physics can be particularly lucrative.
A college major in physics requires potential students to have a mind for calculation and science because the course of study will incorporate these disciplines regularly. It’s common for bachelor’s holders to pursue a doctorate in engineering for advancement and more lucrative salaries.
Easiest College Majors
1. Business Administration
Business administration is one of the most popular college majors on this list of the easiest majors to study, offering a low weekly homework load, less time in the classroom, a great return on investment, and a high average GPA. As long as you have a good head on your shoulders and like to work with people, this is a smart choice for you.
If you want to make your degree a bit more challenging, you might want to consider adding an additional concentration to your degree. One popular option is management information systems, while other students might find economics or accounting to be a better choice.
2. Criminal Justice
Criminal justice is an easy college major not just for aspiring police officers, but for aspiring lawyers, political analysts, court reporters, justices, and more. You won’t spend very much time in the classroom but you’ll need a certain level of emotional resilience in order to be successful.
3. Creative Writing
If you enjoy reading and writing, a creative writing major might be a good choice for you. While this isn’t the easiest college major if you struggle with basic spelling and grammar (no surprise there!) it’s a good option for people with strong communication skills.
What can you do with a creative writing major? You have a few different options – with the most obvious being to become a writer. College students who pursue this major may find that the strong liberal arts background that’s included as a core component in this major lends itself nicely to career paths in journalism, education, public relations, and other communications-centric fields, too.
4. Communications
A communications degree is quite versatile, providing you with a solid liberal arts education that you can use for a variety of careers, including those in broadcasting, marketing, advertising, and more. Consider this major if you enjoy working with others and want to hone your skills in (you guessed it!) communications.
5. Psychology
If human behavior intrigues and excites you, you may find a psychology major to be one of the easiest college majors around. A psychology major will acquaint you with the skills you need to pursue eventual doctoral studies as a psychologist or psychiatrist (two college majors that are decidedly not easy!) or for general work in the humanities. Many psychology majors end up pursuing further study in special education or school psychology as well.
The numbers don’t lie on this one, either – out of all college graduates, psychology comes in as one of the most popular programs. Many college students choose this field as a minor, too, allowing them to get a bachelor’s degree in another subject while still pursuing an easy field of study that they enjoy.
6. Human Resources
Whether you want to work as an office manager, a human resources representative, or in customer service, human resources is a smart college major to consider if you want to earn your degree in as pain-free a way as possible. This major includes uncomplicated coursework and often, an associate’s degree is really all you need to land a job.
7. Education
Education majors tend to have lower starting salaries on average than other majors, but the good news is that by pursuing education as a minor instead of a major, you might be able to make up for some of those shortcomings. Consider majoring in your area of interest (if you’re interested in mathematics, major in that with a minor in education, for example) so that you have something else to pursue if an education major turns out to be harder than you thought in the real world.
Another option? Consider an education major, like special education, that has a higher return on investment. Special education majors are more in demand than other kinds of teachers, so you will likely have a much easier time finding a job.
8. Public Relations
Public relations and advertising is another popular and easy major. If you’re one of those people who watches the Super Bowl just for ads or you find yourself captivated when it comes to learning how to craft the best and most fascinating stories, then a public relations major might be the right choice for you.
Tips For Choosing The Right College Major
Find A Major With Plenty Of Career Options
A college major, no matter how easy or difficult it might be, that only has one potential outcome isn’t a smart choice. The average person changes jobs dozens of times throughout their lives, selecting a major with lots of career options is a good idea.
Average GPA Requirement
If high school learning wasn’t exactly your strong suit, what makes you think that college will be any different? Make sure you research the average GPAs of students accepted into your chosen major and also check the school rankings to learn more about admissions standards. This will give you a good idea of whether your major – and your school – is within reach.
Pay Isn’t Everything
Pay isn’t everything – of course, you should choose a college degree that doesn’t just pay well, but one that you also enjoy. That said, you may find it helpful to narrow down your list of potential college majors based on your passions as well as the potential average salary. You do have to think about your bills, after all!
What Tasks Do You Enjoy?
Something else to consider is what you enjoy doing most. While a science-heavy major is going to have you complete tons of research papers, one in the humanities will have you doing more critical thinking so you can pursue a career that is more communications-driven. Consider what activities you enjoy most in high school, and this will help you as you consider the best college degree for your goals.
Resource:
https://www.mydegreeguide.com/best-college-majors/
https://wisdomfuel.com/easiest-college-majors/