Top Postsecondary Degrees

Six fields account for more than half of the DIPLOMAS

Ah, the college years. That special time in life when you really come into your own and develop into a unique individual like no other. Well, at least in some respects anyway. When it comes to fields of study, you’re probably not that different from a lot of people on campus. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, six broad fields of study account for more than half — 58% — of bachelor’s degrees issued.

Business

There are a lot of reasons why a business degree remains a popular choice — the high demand for graduates and a juicy starting salary being among them. A business degree provides a large umbrella for a diverse array of specializations, from accounting, finance and management to marketing and economics.

Health Professions

Health professions prepare students to become medical or wellness professionals. Health professionals work in health settings to help cure and prevent disease and injury. Some health professionals directly interact with patients while others work in labs or teach. Health professionals contribute to society in numerous ways by keeping everyone healthy.

Social Sciences and History

Centered around the human world and society, the field of social sciences investigates the economy, human behavior, social institutions and politics. In college, social sciences majors build strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which can be leveraged on the job market for an array of industries and jobs. Political science, geography and anthropology fall into this category.

Psychology

While considered among the social sciences, the NCES broke out psychology into its own category in its listings. Psychology remains one of the most popular majors among college students because it provides them with the opportunity to further their degrees and explore a variety of career paths. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychology jobs are expected to grow at 8% from 2020-2030.

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biological and biomedical sciences is all about studying life. With many options for majors and concentrations, this is a field that may be appealing for students who love math, science, nature and the environment. In addition to general biology, a wide range of specialized fields are also covered in this category, such as ecology, zoology, immunology and neuroscience.

Engineering

Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to solve problems. Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. Scientists and inventors often get the credit for innovations that advance the human condition, but it is engineers who are instrumental in making those innovations available to the world.