College Majors Guide

The 10 most popular undergraduate majors in America, with the salary ranges colleges don't put on the brochure and the schools where each one is genuinely strong. No marketing fluff — federal earnings data and real career paths.

Engineering

Mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, biomedical, software, and aerospace engineering.

$75,000 starting / $115,000 mid-career

Computer Science

Programming, algorithms, systems, AI/ML, cybersecurity.

$80,000 starting / $135,000 mid-career

Business & Marketing

Finance, marketing, management, accounting, supply chain, entrepreneurship.

$55,000 starting / $90,000 mid-career

Health Professions

Nursing, public health, health administration, allied health (PT, OT, radiology).

$65,000 starting / $90,000 mid-career

Psychology

Clinical, cognitive, developmental, industrial-organizational, social.

$45,000 starting / $70,000 mid-career

Biological Sciences

Biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, neuroscience.

$50,000 starting / $80,000 mid-career

Education

Elementary, secondary, special education, educational leadership.

$42,000 starting / $65,000 mid-career

Communications

Journalism, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, digital media.

$45,000 starting / $75,000 mid-career

Social Sciences

Sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, international relations.

$50,000 starting / $80,000 mid-career

Visual & Performing Arts

Studio art, graphic design, music, theater, dance, film.

$40,000 starting / $60,000 mid-career

How we built this

We grouped the 10 broad majors that the U.S. Department of Education tracks at every college. For each major, we pulled the schools where it represents the largest share of degrees awarded — not where it's most prestigious, but where it's actually a focus. Salary ranges come from BLS and Scorecard 10-year earnings data. Career paths are realistic, not aspirational.