Choosing a college major today can feel overwhelming, especially when you need to consider job market trends, professional opportunities, potential earnings… all to make sure it's a good decision for your future.
While many aspects are out of your control, one important step you can take is researching your options carefully before deciding what’s best for you.
We analyzed the most popular college majors in recent years and explored why some of them are rising fast.
Here’s what we found.
What are the most popular college majors now?
Enrollment data from 2024-2025 at US colleges reveals a strong interest in STEM, Healthcare, and Technology, and it’s easy to see why.
These fields offer high earning potential, strong job security and global demand.
STEM
A STEM major focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, equipping students with technical skills and critical thinking, problem-solving, and the capacity to work across disciplines.
Many engineering branches are in high demand and among the highest-paying worldwide, such as data and software engineering or electrical engineering.
Starting salaries for STEM graduates in the US are often twice as high as those in other fields. The same also applies in Canada, Germany, and the UK.
Healthcare
For the first time, medical school enrollments at US colleges reached 100,000 students. In 2025, the number of applicants rose by more than 5%, reversing a three-year decline.
Demand for healthcare professionals is expected to increase significantly as Western societies age.
The US and Canada are already experiencing workforce shortages, which is why some governments encourage students to pursue medical degrees. It’s the case in Canada, where the Ontario government invested $88 million to cover the tuition of 1,000 students who agree to stay in the province to practice family medicine.
Technology programs
Technology is another major driver, fueled by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence.
AI, machine learning, big data, and robotics are reshaping the global economy and are expected to drive some of the fastest-growing job roles over the next five years.
Automation is helping companies to reduce costs and improve efficiency, and we already see these changes around us, from self-checkout at grocery stores to driverless metro trains.
What majors are rising fast?
AI, data science and sustainability are among the majors that are growing rapidly, reflecting the job market demand and the new shifts that are reshaping the world.
AI majors
Dozens of US universities have launched new AI majors, offering students deeper training in machine learning, data science, and the ethical and social implications of AI.
For instance, MIT's new AI major quickly became its second-largest undergraduate major. At the University of California, the first-ever AI cohort enrolled 150 students for the 2025 fall, with the programme expected to grow to 1,000 undergraduates by 2029.
The number of students starting degrees in AI at UK universities rose by 42% in 2025.
Asian universities are following the same trend, with institutions in China, South Korea, and Singapore offering AI majors.
Data science majors
In the US, the National Center for Education Statistics reported a significant increase in data science bachelor’s degrees, from 84 in 2020 to 897 in 2022.
This increase is also reflected in the job market demand for data science skills. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, data science roles are expected to grow by 34% through 2034.
Sustainability majors
Sustainability is following a similar trajectory.
Over the last five years, sustainability-related higher education programmes have increased by 45%, a clear signal that student demand is catching up with global necessity. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also shows clean energy occupations (50% growth) as one of the fastest-growing roles in the US economy.
These figures reflect a global trend of societies that are investing more in innovations to slow climate change and develop clean technologies.
Are there any regional differences in popular majors?
STEM majors are not popular only in the US, but across many regions.
Asia has emerged as a global leader in STEM education, with major hubs in China, South Korea and Singapore. In China, for example, about 41% of university degrees are awarded in STEM fields.
South Korea also built a reputation for high demand in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductors. To sustain this growth, the government aims to attract international students to pursue STEM majors and remain in the country after graduation. Streamlining visa processes for science and technology talents is part of this strategy.
On the other hand, the European Union is not producing enough STEM talent to meet market demand. Almost 80% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the EU struggle to find professionals with the necessary STEM skills, highlighting a skills gap across the region.
While healthcare-related majors are gaining popularity in the US, Canada, and parts of Europe, the pattern in Asia is slightly different.
In South Korea, for instance, approximately 7,000 students had applied to pursue a medical major in 2025, the lowest figure in the past five years, and a 32% on year decline.
Significant differences are in technology majors too.
In the EU, in 2024, Information and Communication Technology made up nearly 5% of people employed in all 27 member states.
In contrast, computer science showed the largest increase in the US. The number of students earning a degree in computer and information sciences has more than doubled over the last decade, reaching more than 110,000 in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Double majors vs interdisciplinary degrees: what are your options?
Expanding your career options through a double major or an interdisciplinary degree has long been a smart strategy. In recent years, more students have chosen to pursue double majors as the job market changed and AI displaced millions of jobs while creating others.
A double major requires more effort and more classes to attend, but it can also make you more employable. In a job market that does not guarantee long-term career stability, having a competitive edge can give peace of mind.
According to a study conducted by researchers at Ohio State and four other universities, graduates who double-major are 56% less likely to be laid off, experience pay cuts or face other negative effects in economic downturns.
While a double major involves completing two separate majors within a single degree programme, an interdisciplinary major blends courses from multiple disciplines into one.
Rather than focusing on a single area of study, you develop a strong set of skills that will enable you to draw knowledge from different disciplines.
Is the most popular college major always the best for you?
Choosing a major simply because it’s popular is not always the right decision. Focus on what genuinely interests you and research the opportunities available after graduation.
Popularity may reflect job market trends, but it doesn’t guarantee personal fulfillment.
If you’re passionate about helping people, choose a path that allows you to do so. Emotional rewards can be just as important as a high salary and a rapid climb up the career ladder.
Consider your personal interests, strengths, and values when making a decision. Find a balance between practical considerations and what truly motivates you.
When I finished high school, the most popular college majors in my country were healthcare, computer science, and law. I didn’t resonate with these fields as I was more interested in creative work and spent a lot of time reading and writing.
I chose a different path from most of my colleagues. A communication and PR degree was not a very popular major back then, but I followed my interest, and that choice paid off. As marketing evolved and social media platforms expanded, new career opportunities appeared. What once seemed unconventional became very relevant in a changing job market.
Trends come and go, but a thoughtful choice combined with transferable skills will serve you in the long run.
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