Based on average GPA data and self-reported study hours, the majors most commonly cited as "easier" include education, humanities (English, history), communications, business, and social work. These majors tend to have higher average GPAs and fewer required weekly study hours than STEM fields. But "easy" is misleading — every major is difficult if you're not interested in the subject. The real question is which major matches your strengths while leading somewhere you want to go.
The search for the "easiest major" is usually driven by one of two things: genuine anxiety about academic survival, or strategic thinking about GPA management. Both are legitimate, and neither is something to be embarrassed about. But the framing matters, because choosing a major solely on perceived difficulty often leads to a worse outcome than choosing one that's harder but more interesting.
Here's what the data actually shows, and what it means for your decision.
Key Statistics at a Glance
These figures draw from grade inflation research and the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), which collects self-reported data on how students spend their time.12
What Makes a Major "Easy" or "Hard"?
Difficulty is measured by several factors, and they don't always align:
Average GPA — Higher average GPAs suggest more generous grading curves, less punishing assessment methods, or material that students find more accessible. Majors with higher average GPAs are perceived as "easier," though this can also reflect grading culture differences.
Weekly study hours — The National Survey of Student Engagement asks students how many hours per week they spend on academics outside of class. STEM majors consistently report more hours. Humanities and education majors report fewer.
Course workload type — Some majors rely on papers and projects (subjective grading, more flexibility). Others rely on problem sets and exams (objective grading, less room for partial credit). Neither is inherently easier, but students tend to find one type more manageable based on their strengths.
Prerequisites and sequencing — Majors with long prerequisite chains (engineering, pre-med, nursing) are harder to recover from if you struggle in one course. Majors with more elective flexibility allow easier course adjustment.
Graduation rates — Majors with high attrition (students switching out) are generally harder. Engineering and pre-med tracks have notable attrition rates, while humanities and education retain students at higher rates.
If you're looking for a major you can succeed in, ignore the "easiest" label and focus on two things: (1) what subjects you earned A's and B's in during high school without extraordinary effort, and (2) what career outcomes you need. A major that matches your natural strengths will feel easier regardless of its reputation. For a structured approach to this decision, see our guide on choosing a college major.
Majors with Higher Average GPAs
Based on GPA data and academic research on grading patterns, these majors tend to have higher average GPAs:1
Education — Consistently among the highest average GPAs. Education programs focus on applied learning, lesson planning, and student teaching, with assessment methods that reward effort and practical skill alongside content knowledge.
English and Literature — Higher GPAs reflect the subjective nature of literary analysis and the emphasis on writing improvement. Strong writers tend to earn high grades in English courses.
Communications — Coursework emphasizes practical skills (media production, public speaking, writing) alongside theory. Assessment is often project-based.
Business Administration — One of the most popular majors nationwide, with broad curriculum and generally moderate course difficulty. Upper-division courses in finance and accounting are more challenging than the introductory core.
History — Reading-heavy and writing-intensive, but grading tends to reward analytical thinking and clear writing rather than rote memorization.
Psychology — Large introductory courses may curve generously. Upper-division research methods and statistics courses are more demanding.
Social Work — Field placement hours are demanding, but academic coursework tends to have higher average grades.
Choosing a major because it's "easy" and ignoring career outcomes is one of the most expensive mistakes in higher education. A major that feels manageable but leads to limited job prospects may result in underemployment that costs you far more than a more challenging major would have. Consider ease as one factor alongside career paths, salary potential, and personal interest. Our college degree ROI guide puts the salary data in context.
Majors with Lower Average GPAs
These majors tend to have lower average GPAs, reflecting stricter grading, more demanding coursework, or both:1
Engineering disciplines — Chemical, mechanical, electrical, civil, and aerospace engineering consistently have some of the lowest average GPAs across institutions. The combination of advanced math, physics, and technical coursework creates high academic demands.
Computer Science — Rigorous math requirements and objective assessment (code either works or it doesn't) contribute to lower average GPAs.
Physics and Mathematics — Abstract thinking, proof-based reasoning, and cumulative knowledge make these among the most intellectually demanding majors.
Chemistry — Combines demanding lab work with heavy quantitative coursework. Pre-med students who struggle often switch majors after organic chemistry.
Nursing and pre-health tracks — Clinical requirements, strict grading standards, and high-stakes assessments keep GPAs lower. Nursing programs often have minimum grade requirements (B or higher) to continue in the program.
About 40-50% of students who enter college planning to major in STEM fields switch to non-STEM majors before graduating. The most common switching point is between freshman and sophomore year, after completing introductory math and science sequences. This doesn't mean these students are failures — it means they discovered what they don't enjoy early enough to pivot. The students who switch and find a better-fitting major often have better outcomes than those who grind through a major they hate.2
Study Hours by Major
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) provides data on how many hours per week students spend studying outside of class:2
Lower study hours (12-16 hours/week):
- Business
- Communications
- Social work
- Criminal justice
Moderate study hours (15-18 hours/week):
- Education
- English/humanities
- Psychology
- History
Higher study hours (18-25+ hours/week):
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Nursing
- Computer science
- Physics/chemistry
- Pre-med biology
These are averages and self-reported, so they should be taken as general indicators rather than precise measurements. Individual experience varies enormously based on course load, study efficiency, and professor expectations.
What This Means for Students
If you're struggling academically: Don't default to the "easiest" major out of desperation. First, investigate whether your struggles are about the material or about study habits, mental health, or external factors. Our guide on how to study effectively in college addresses the most common fixable problems. If you've genuinely tried and the material doesn't click, switching to a better-fit major is a smart move, not a failure.
If you're balancing work and school: Majors with more flexible scheduling (fewer labs, more elective choices) may be practically easier to manage alongside employment. Education, business, and social science majors tend to offer more scheduling flexibility than lab-heavy STEM programs.
If you're thinking about GPA for graduate school: Choose a major where you can earn strong grades while maintaining genuine interest. A 3.8 in your natural strength area is more sustainable and more impressive than a 3.0 in a "hard" major you chose for prestige.
If you're worried about career prospects: Check the employment and salary data for any major you're considering. Some "easy" majors lead to strong careers (business, education, communications in the right specialization). Others may require additional credentials or graduate education to achieve the outcomes you want. See our highest-paying majors guide and lowest-paying majors guide for the salary data.
FAQ
Is it bad to choose an "easy" major?
Not if it aligns with your career goals and interests. Education majors become teachers. Communications majors work in media, marketing, and public relations. Business majors enter management and analytics roles. These are legitimate, well-paying careers. The problem only arises when someone chooses a major with no plan for what comes after.
Do employers care which major you chose?
For some jobs, yes (engineering, nursing, accounting). For most jobs, no — employers care about skills, experience, and whether you can do the work. About 60% of job postings don't specify a required major. The major matters most for your first job and becomes less relevant over time.
Can I succeed in a hard major if I struggled in high school?
Possibly. College courses are taught differently than high school, and many students who struggled in high school excel in college when they're studying subjects they chose. However, if you earned C's in high school math, jumping into an engineering major without preparation is risky. Be honest about your starting point.
What's the easiest major that pays well?
Business administration consistently combines higher-than-average GPAs with above-average starting salaries. Healthcare administration, information systems, and supply chain management are other options that balance manageable coursework with strong career outcomes.
Should I pick a hard major just because it pays more?
Only if you're genuinely interested in the work. A computer science major who hates coding will earn less than a communications major who loves marketing and builds strong skills. Salary data shows what the average graduate earns, not what a miserable, disengaged graduate earns.
Footnotes
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Rojstaczer, S., and Healy, C. (2012). Where A Is Ordinary: The Evolution of American College and University Grading, 1940-2009. Teachers College Record, 114(7). https://www.gradeinflation.com/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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National Survey of Student Engagement. (2024). Annual Results: Student Engagement and Learning. Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research. https://nsse.indiana.edu/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). Digest of Education Statistics: Degrees Conferred by Field. NCES, U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/ ↩