Most Popular College Majors and Their Career Outcomes (2026 Data)
What are the most popular college majors and do they lead to good careers? Here's data on enrollment, salaries, and job prospects.
The Ten Most Popular Majors (And What Happens After Graduation)
Based on recent NCES data, here are the most commonly awarded bachelor's degrees and what the career landscape looks like for each.
1. Business Administration and Management
Enrollment share: About 19 percent of all bachelor's degrees. By far the most popular major in America.
Median starting salary: 55,000 to 65,000 dollars depending on specialization (finance and accounting on the higher end, general management on the lower end).
Common career paths: Corporate management, marketing, sales, consulting, finance, operations, human resources, entrepreneurship.
The reality: A business degree is versatile but not specialized. Graduates compete in a crowded field. Standing out requires internships, networking, and often a specific focus area rather than "general business."
2. Nursing
Enrollment share: About 7 percent. Growing rapidly due to healthcare demand.
Median starting salary: 60,000 to 80,000 dollars. Higher in high-cost cities and specialized areas.
Common career paths: Registered nurse, nurse practitioner (with advanced degree), clinical nurse specialist, hospital administration.
The reality: Near-100 percent employment rate. Nursing has one of the best return-on-investment ratios of any major, especially from affordable programs.
3. Psychology
Enrollment share: About 6 percent.
Median starting salary: 38,000 to 45,000 dollars with a bachelor's only. Significantly higher with a graduate degree.
Common career paths: Human resources, social services, counseling (requires graduate degree), marketing research, user experience research.
The reality: A bachelor's in psychology alone has limited career options in psychology itself. Most careers in the field require a master's or doctorate. However, the skills (research methods, data analysis, understanding human behavior) transfer well to other fields.
4. Computer Science
Median starting salary: 75,000 to 100,000 dollars. Among the highest for any bachelor's degree.
Common career paths: Software engineering, data science, product management, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, technical consulting.
The reality: Excellent job market with strong demand. The major is challenging, and dropout rates are higher than average. Students who complete it are well-positioned.
5. Biology
Median starting salary: 40,000 to 50,000 dollars with a bachelor's. Much higher with professional or graduate degrees.
Common career paths: Pre-med (medical school), research (graduate school), biotech, pharmaceutical companies, environmental science, teaching.
The reality: Many biology majors are pre-med. For those who do not pursue medical or graduate school, the bachelor's-level job market is competitive and lower-paying.
6. Engineering (All Disciplines)
Median starting salary: 65,000 to 85,000 dollars depending on discipline. Petroleum and computer engineering are highest.
Common career paths: Engineering firms, tech companies, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, consulting.
The reality: High starting salaries and strong job placement. The curriculum is demanding, and the four-year graduation rate is lower than most majors.
7. Communications
Median starting salary: 40,000 to 50,000 dollars.
Common career paths: Public relations, marketing, advertising, journalism, social media management, corporate communications.
The reality: Broad and flexible but competitive. Success often depends on internship experience and portfolio quality rather than the degree itself.
8. Education
Median starting salary: 38,000 to 45,000 dollars.
Common career paths: K-12 teaching, school administration (with graduate degree), curriculum development, educational technology.
The reality: Job availability is strong (teacher shortages are widespread), but compensation remains below average for college graduates. Loan forgiveness programs can offset educational costs for those who teach in qualifying settings.
9. Economics
Median starting salary: 58,000 to 70,000 dollars.
Common career paths: Finance, consulting, policy analysis, data analytics, law school, graduate school in economics.
The reality: One of the most versatile majors. Economics graduates are recruited by banks, consulting firms, tech companies, and government agencies. The quantitative skills make graduates competitive across industries.
10. Political Science
Median starting salary: 42,000 to 52,000 dollars.
Common career paths: Law school, government, policy, nonprofit, campaign work, journalism, lobbying.
The reality: Many political science majors go to law school or graduate school. The bachelor's-level job market is narrower but includes government, campaigns, and nonprofits.
Choosing Based on Outcomes
Salary is one factor, but job satisfaction, growth potential, and alignment with your interests matter just as much. A nurse earning 70,000 dollars who loves the work is better off than a finance analyst earning 90,000 who is miserable.
Explore your options from a school where you can afford and get in. [AdmitOdds](https://admitodds.com) helps you find that starting point.
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