College Majors Guide

Explore career prospects, salary ranges, and top universities for 40+ popular college majors. Make an informed decision about your academic future.

40 Majors

Sorted alphabetically

Accounting

Study of financial record-keeping, analysis, and reporting for organizations.

Salary: $50k–$70k Growth: 4% (average)

Top Career Paths:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Financial Analyst
• Auditor

Anthropology

Study of human cultures, societies, and biological development.

Salary: $40k–$65k Growth: 7% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Cultural Anthropologist
• Archaeologist
• Museum Curator

Architecture

Study of designing buildings and spaces that combine functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability.

Salary: $50k–$80k Growth: 3% (average)

Top Career Paths:

• Architect
• Urban Planner
• Interior Designer

Art

Study of visual arts, creativity, and artistic expression across various media.

Salary: $35k–$55k Growth: 4% (average)

Top Career Paths:

• Fine Artist
• Graphic Designer
• Art Teacher

Biology

Study of living organisms and life processes at molecular, cellular, and ecological levels.

Salary: $45k–$70k Growth: 5% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Research Scientist
• Laboratory Technician
• Biotechnology Specialist

Business Administration

Comprehensive study of management principles, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior.

Salary: $55k–$85k Growth: 8% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Management Consultant
• Financial Analyst
• Marketing Manager

Chemistry

Study of matter, its properties, composition, and the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions.

Salary: $50k–$75k Growth: 6% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Chemist
• Laboratory Technician
• Pharmaceutical Scientist

Communications

Study of human communication across various media and contexts.

Salary: $40k–$60k Growth: 14% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Public Relations Specialist
• Communications Director
• Marketing Coordinator

Computer Science

The study of computational systems, algorithms, and programming languages for solving complex problems.

Salary: $75k–$120k Growth: 13% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Software Engineer
• Data Scientist
• Cybersecurity Analyst

Criminal Justice

Study of law enforcement, legal systems, and crime prevention.

Salary: $40k–$65k Growth: 5% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Police Officer
• Detective
• Probation Officer

Cybersecurity

Study of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from digital attacks.

Salary: $70k–$105k Growth: 35% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Information Security Manager
• Penetration Tester

Data Science

Interdisciplinary field combining statistics, programming, and domain expertise to extract insights from data.

Salary: $80k–$120k Growth: 35% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Data Scientist
• Data Analyst
• Machine Learning Engineer

Economics

Study of how societies allocate scarce resources and make decisions about production, distribution, and consumption.

Salary: $55k–$85k Growth: 13% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Economic Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Management Consultant

Education

Study of teaching methods, learning theory, and educational systems.

Salary: $40k–$60k Growth: 8% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Elementary Teacher
• Secondary Teacher
• Special Education Teacher

Engineering

Application of scientific and mathematical principles to design, build, and maintain systems and structures.

Salary: $68k–$95k Growth: 6% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Mechanical Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Civil Engineer

English

Study of literature, writing, critical analysis, and communication.

Salary: $40k–$60k Growth: 9% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Writer/Author
• Editor
• Journalist

Environmental Science

Interdisciplinary study of environmental problems and solutions.

Salary: $45k–$70k Growth: 8% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Environmental Scientist
• Environmental Consultant
• Sustainability Specialist

Film Studies

Study of cinema as art form, entertainment medium, and cultural expression.

Salary: $35k–$60k Growth: 24% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Film Director
• Producer
• Screenwriter

Finance

Study of money management, investments, and financial decision-making.

Salary: $60k–$90k Growth: 15% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Financial Analyst
• Investment Banker
• Financial Planner

Graphic Design

Study of visual communication through typography, imagery, and layout design.

Salary: $40k–$60k Growth: 3% (average)

Top Career Paths:

• Graphic Designer
• Web Designer
• Brand Designer

History

Study of past events, societies, and human experiences across time and cultures.

Salary: $40k–$60k Growth: 3% (below avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Historian
• History Teacher
• Museum Curator

International Relations

Study of relationships between countries, international organizations, and global issues.

Salary: $45k–$75k Growth: 7% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Foreign Service Officer
• International Business Analyst
• Diplomat

Journalism

Study of news gathering, reporting, and media communication.

Salary: $35k–$55k Growth: -11% (declining)

Top Career Paths:

• Reporter
• Editor
• Broadcast Journalist

Linguistics

Scientific study of language structure, development, and use.

Salary: $45k–$70k Growth: 14% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Computational Linguist
• Language Technology Specialist
• Translator/Interpreter

Marketing

Study of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.

Salary: $45k–$70k Growth: 10% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Marketing Manager
• Digital Marketing Specialist
• Brand Manager

Mathematics

Study of numbers, structures, patterns, and logical reasoning.

Salary: $60k–$90k Growth: 33% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Data Scientist
• Actuary
• Statistician

Music

Study of musical performance, composition, theory, and history.

Salary: $35k–$55k Growth: 2% (below avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Professional Musician
• Music Teacher
• Music Composer

Neuroscience

Study of the nervous system, brain function, and behavior.

Salary: $50k–$80k Growth: 8% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Research Scientist
• Neurologist (with medical school)
• Pharmaceutical Researcher

Nursing

Healthcare profession focused on patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention.

Salary: $60k–$77k Growth: 6% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nutrition

Study of food, nutrients, and their effects on health and disease.

Salary: $45k–$65k Growth: 6% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Registered Dietitian
• Nutritionist
• Food Scientist

Philosophy

Study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reasoning.

Salary: $45k–$70k Growth: 9% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Lawyer
• Philosophy Professor
• Ethics Consultant

Physics

Study of matter, energy, and their interactions in the universe.

Salary: $60k–$95k Growth: 7% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Physicist
• Research Scientist
• Engineer

Political Science

Study of government systems, political behavior, and public policy.

Salary: $45k–$70k Growth: 9% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Policy Analyst
• Government Relations Specialist
• Political Campaign Manager

Pre-Law

Preparatory track for law school emphasizing critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills.

Salary: $70k–$120k Growth: 10% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Attorney
• Judge
• Legal Consultant

Pre-Medicine

Preparatory track for medical school combining science coursework with medical experience.

Salary: $200k–$300k Growth: 3% (average)

Top Career Paths:

• Physician (MD)
• Physician Assistant
• Medical Researcher

Psychology

Scientific study of human behavior, mental processes, and psychological development.

Salary: $40k–$65k Growth: 6% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Clinical Psychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• School Psychologist

Public Health

Study of protecting and improving health of populations and communities.

Salary: $45k–$70k Growth: 16% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Epidemiologist
• Public Health Analyst
• Health Educator

Social Work

Study of helping individuals, families, and communities address social problems.

Salary: $40k–$55k Growth: 9% (above avg)

Top Career Paths:

• Clinical Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Medical Social Worker

Sociology

Study of society, social behavior, and social institutions.

Salary: $40k–$60k Growth: 4% (average)

Top Career Paths:

• Social Worker
• Research Analyst
• Human Resources Specialist

Sports Management

Study of business principles applied to the sports and recreation industry.

Salary: $35k–$55k Growth: 15% (high)

Top Career Paths:

• Sports Marketing Manager
• Athletic Director
• Sports Agent

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