Most Popular and Growing Degrees and Majors in U.S. Colleges for 2025

Introduction

Choosing a college major is a pivotal decision, shaping career paths and financial futures. In 2025, U.S. colleges and universities offer a diverse array of undergraduate degrees, with some fields dominating due to high enrollment, strong job prospects, and societal demand. Drawing from the latest data, including the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this article highlights the most popular and fastest-growing majors, exploring why students flock to these programs and their potential rewards.

Most Popular Majors by Enrollment

Based on NCES data for 2021–22, approximately 3 million undergraduate degrees (1 million associate’s, 2 million bachelor’s) were conferred, with a few fields leading the pack. Here are the top majors by enrollment, reflecting student interest and accessibility:

1. Business (390,600 bachelor’s, 20% of total)
   • Key Majors: Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management.
   • Why Popular: Offers versatility across industries, from corporate roles to entrepreneurship. Graduates earn a median of ~$80,000 early career, with skills in analytics and leadership in high demand.
   • Example Programs: Business Administration at the University of Southern California, Accounting at Penn State.
2. Health Professions (263,800 bachelor’s, 13%)
   • Key Majors: Nursing, Health Sciences, Public Health, Healthcare Administration.
   • Why Popular: Fueled by an aging population and healthcare needs, with nursing jobs projected to grow 6% by 2033 (BLS). Nurses earn ~$86,070 annually.
   • Example Programs: Nursing at Johns Hopkins, Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill.
3. Social Sciences (151,100 bachelor’s, 7%)
   • Key Majors: Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Criminology.
   • Why Popular: Broad applicability in fields like HR, policy, and research. Psychology, with ~22,200 monthly searches, leads due to mental health awareness (University of the Potomac).
   • Example Programs: Psychology at UCLA, Economics at Harvard.
4. Biological and Biomedical Sciences (131,500 bachelor’s, 7%)
   • Key Majors: Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Microbiology.
   • Why Popular: Pre-med tracks and research opportunities drive interest, with a 46% enrollment surge since 2011. Median salaries ~$70,000.
   • Example Programs: Biology at Stanford, Neuroscience at MIT.
5. Engineering (~125,000 bachelor’s, 6%)
   • Key Majors: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Biomedical, Chemical.
   • Why Popular: High earning potential (~$87,531 median) and a 65% enrollment increase since 2011 reflect tech-driven demand.
   • Example Programs: Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech, Biomedical Engineering at Duke.
6. Computer and Information Sciences (~100,000 bachelor’s, 5%)
   • Key Majors: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Technology.
   • Why Popular: Tech industry growth, with computer science degrees up 144% since 2011. Median salaries ~$90,000.
   • Example Programs: Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon, Cybersecurity at Purdue.

These fields dominate due to their accessibility—offered at most colleges—and alignment with stable, well-paying careers.

Fastest-Growing Majors for 2025

Beyond popularity, certain majors are surging due to emerging industries and workforce needs, as projected by BLS (2022–32) and Research.com’s 2025 analysis. Here are key growth areas:

1. Computer Science and Related Fields
   • Growth Rate: 26% for computer science jobs, 35% for information security (BLS).
   • Why Growing: Demand for software developers, AI specialists, and cybersecurity experts skyrockets as businesses digitize. Graduates earn ~$100,530 median.
   • Notable Majors: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing.
   • Example Programs: AI at Arizona State University, Data Science at UC Berkeley.
2. Health Informatics
   • Growth Rate: 17% for health information technologists.
   • Why Growing: Combines healthcare and tech, focusing on medical data analysis. Ideal for improving hospital systems, with salaries ~$80,000.
   • Example Programs: Health Informatics at University of Michigan, Bioinformatics at UC San Diego.
3. Environmental Science and Sustainability
   • Growth Rate: 6% for environmental scientists, higher for sustainability roles.
   • Why Growing: Climate change drives demand for renewable energy and conservation experts. Median salaries ~$76,000.
   • Notable Majors: Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development.
   • Example Programs: Environmental Science at Yale, Sustainability Studies at Colorado State.
4. Data Science and Statistics
   • Growth Rate: 30% for data scientists and statisticians.
   • Why Growing: Big data fuels decision-making in finance, healthcare, and tech. Graduates earn ~$100,000 early career.
   • Example Programs: Statistics at University of Chicago, Data Analytics at Ohio State.
5. Nursing (Advanced Practice)
   • Growth Rate: 46% for nurse practitioners with master’s preparation.
   • Why Growing: Shortages in primary care increase demand for advanced nursing roles, with salaries ~$136,030.
   • Example Programs: Accelerated Nursing at NYU, Nurse Practitioner tracks at Vanderbilt.

These majors reflect technological advances and societal shifts, offering strong job security and high returns.

Why These Majors Matter

Popular and growing majors share traits that attract students:

• Job Prospects: Fields like computer science and nursing align with BLS projections for high-growth occupations, ensuring employment stability.
• Earnings Potential: STEM and business degrees often yield salaries 30–50% above the national median (~$59,000).
• Flexibility: Social sciences and business provide transferable skills, applicable in diverse roles from policy to marketing.
• Societal Impact: Health and environmental majors address urgent issues like pandemics and climate change, appealing to purpose-driven students.

However, popularity doesn’t guarantee fit. Students should weigh personal interests and regional job markets, as some fields (e.g., psychology) are saturated unless paired with advanced degrees.

Challenges and Considerations

While these majors shine, challenges exist:

• Cost vs. Return: High tuition (averaging $10,000–$50,000/year) requires evaluating debt against earnings. Business and STEM often justify costs; humanities may not.
• Oversaturation: Psychology and biology face competition, with 40% of graduates in non-degree jobs (2023 study).
• Rigorous Curricula: Engineering and computer science demand strong math skills, deterring some students.

Alternatives like trade schools or online certifications (e.g., coding bootcamps) may suit those seeking faster, cheaper paths to similar careers.

Conclusion

In 2025, U.S. colleges offer a vibrant mix of popular and growing majors, with Business, Health Professions, and Computer Science leading due to enrollment and job demand. Emerging fields like Data Science and Health Informatics signal a tech-driven future, promising lucrative and stable careers. Students should choose based on passion, aptitude, and market trends, ensuring their degree opens doors to opportunity. For those undecided, exploring introductory courses or career counseling can clarify the path ahead.

Sources: National Center for Education Statistics (2021–22), Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022–32), Research.com (2025), University of the Potomac (2024).