Easiest College Majors and Degrees | BestColleges (2024)

Earning a bachelor's degree can boost earning potential and job opportunities. It doesn't have to be grueling. Here are the easiest college majors and degrees.

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By

Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.Read Full Bio

Contributing Writer

An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D., has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a writer and consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern...

and

Margaret AttridgeRead Full Bio

Reporter

Margaret Attridge is a news reporter for BestColleges focusing on higher education news stories in California. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in May 2022 with a BA in journalism and government and politics....

Edited by

Danika MillerRead Full Bio

Writer & Editor

Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple ...

Reviewed by

Stephanie DeBord, MARead Full Bio

Reviewer & Writer

Stephanie DeBord has spent the past seven years advising students in various capacities. She currently helps undeclared/exploratory students navigate the college experience, explore program options, and map degree plans. Her background and expertise ...

Updated on April 16, 2024

Learn more about our editorial process

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One thing to consider when choosing your college major is rigor. Depending on your skills and interests, some majors will be easier to complete than others.

For example, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors have a reputation for demanding coursework and complex curriculum.

But don't forget — the easiest bachelor's degree for one person might be challenging for another. You should weigh the pros and cons of each program, including potential careers after graduation, to find the best fit for your personal interests, strengths, and aptitudes.

Here's our take on the easiest college majors, from education to criminal justice.

Featured Online Bachelor's Degrees

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

1. Anthropology

Anthropology majors examine humanity, with courses on archeology, linguistics, and cultural anthropology. The major can help you develop strong analytical and writing skills that may lead to careers in museum studies, the public sector, archeology, and community services.

A bachelor's in anthropology program traditionally lasts four years. Students can study fascinating topics like Central American archeology, forensic anthropology, and American culture.

Anthropology will often come easier to students with writing, research, and problem-solving skills.

Popular Jobs for Anthropology Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Anthropology Professor or Researcher$93,650
Archeologist$63,800
Community Service Manager$77,030
Market Research Analyst$74,680
Archivist$59,910

2. Business

Business isn't just one of the easiest college majors — it's also the most popular major. Business students can strengthen their analytical and leadership skills while taking industry-focused classes.

As a business major, you'll study core topics like accounting, management, and organizational behavior. With a bachelor's in business administration, you can pursue lucrative careers in finance, marketing, and human resources.

Business might not be the easiest degree to get if you struggle with analysis, statistics, or persuasive writing.

Popular Jobs for Business Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Accountant or Auditor$79,880
Budget Analyst$84,940
Financial Analyst$99,010
Market Research Analyst$74,680
Project Management Specialist$98,580

3. Communications

A communications degree is great for those who are fascinated by the media and the news industry. You'll take classes like visual storytelling and multiplatform content creation as part of your degree.

Communications majors study public relations, mass media, journalism, and business communication. You can specialize your degree with concentration options like public relations, journalism, or technical writing.

In a communications program, students foster strong writing, public speaking, and analytical skills.

Popular Jobs for Communications Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Editor$75,020
Public Relations Specialist$66,750
Public Relations Manager$134,760
Reporter or Journalist$57,500
Technical Writer$80,050

4. Criminal Justice

Learn about law enforcement, criminology, and the legal system as a criminal justice major. Specialize your degree with a concentration in homeland security, law enforcement administration, or juvenile justice.

With a bachelor's in criminal justice, you can pursue a career as a federal law enforcement officer, paralegal, or forensic science technician. It's the ideal major to launch a criminal justice, public policy, or law career.

Popular Jobs for Criminal Justice Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Correctional Officer$53,300
Forensic Science Technician$64,940
Police Officer$72,280
Private Detective or Investigator$49,540
Probation Officer$61,800

5. Education

If you love learning and teaching, an education major might be the easiest bachelor's degree. You'll gain hands-on classroom training through a student teaching experience that can enhance job opportunities.

With a bachelor's in education, you can become an elementary school teacher, high school teacher, or special education teacher. Outside of teaching, the degree can prepare you for opportunities in training and development.

Popular Jobs for Education Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Elementary School Teacher$63,680
High School Teacher$65,220
Instructional Coordinator$74,620
Middle School Teacher$64,290
Special Education Teacher$67,190

6. English

Love reading? Then, you may thrive as an English major since it's one of the most reading-heavy majors. An English degree is also considered one of the easiest college majors. As an English major, you'll study literary criticism, rhetoric, and writing.

After honing communication, analytical, and research skills, you can pursue work as a writer, teacher, or public relations specialist.

Popular Jobs for English Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Advertising and Promotions Manager$131,870
High School Teacher$65,220
Librarian and Media Collections Specialist$64,370
Public Relations Specialist$66,750
Writer or Author$73,690

7. Health

Interested in healthcare? Then, a health major might be a great investment. The healthcare field is one of the fastest-growing industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Within health, you can major in nursing, healthcare administration, health science, or nutrition to qualify for jobs with a bachelor's degree. But consider your career goals — many healthcare jobs require a graduate degree.

Popular Jobs for Health Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Clinical Laboratory Technologist$60,780
Dietitians or Nutritionist$69,680
Medical or Health Services Manager$110,680
Medical Records Specialist$48,780
Registered Nurse$86,070

8. History

Curious about the past? Then history might be one of the easiest majors for you. As a history major, you'll strengthen your analytical, research, and writing skills.

During a bachelor's in history program, you'll study U.S. history, world history, and ancient history. With a history degree, you can pursue work in education, business, media, or marketing.

Popular Jobs for History Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
High School Teacher$65,220
Historian$72,890
History Professor$82,140
Archivist$59,910
Paralegal$60,970

9. Psychology

If you are interested in working with people and helping them better understand themselves and their emotions, psychology may be for you. As a psychology major, you will be able to interact with many different types of people and study human behaviors and how we interact with the world.

However, several psychology career paths require a graduate degree — including school psychologists, counselors, or mental health professionals.

Popular Jobs for Psychology Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Clinical or Counseling Psychologists$96,100
Market Research Analyst$74,680
School Psychologist$84,940
Social Worker$63,770
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$53,710

10. Sociology

Sociology explores human behavior and social institutions. As a sociology major, you'll gain analytical and critical thinking skills. Explore interesting subjects like family sociology, organizational behavior, and social inequality.

Graduates can pursue careers in business, marketing, human resources, and community services.

Popular Jobs for Sociology Majors
JobMedian Annual Salary 2023
Career Counselor$61,710
Human Resources Specialist$67,650
College Professor$79,870
Market Research Analyst$74,680
Social Worker$63,770

Frequently Asked Questions About the Easiest College Majors

What are the hardest college majors?

The hardest college majors are most commonly in STEM fields. College students typically rank architecture, biochemistry, engineering, mathematics, neuroscience, and physics as the most difficult majors.

What is the quickest degree to get?

Accelerated online programs are the fastest route to a bachelor's degree. Students who choose the right accelerated bachelor's degree can enter the job market for their chosen field in as little as two years, saving time and money.

Is an online degree easier?

Generally, online programs are not easier than on-campus programs. The curriculum for online degrees is often the exact same as the on-campus curriculum.

Online programs can offer students convenience and flexibility. However, they also come with the normal stressors of school deadlines, coursework, and exams like in-person programs do.


Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 15, 2024.

Easiest College Majors and Degrees | BestColleges (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest major in college? ›

10 Easiest Bachelor's Degrees of 2024
  1. Business. Interested in an easy major with many career options? ...
  2. Communications. As a communications major, you'll study mass media, public relations, and journalism. ...
  3. Criminal Justice. ...
  4. Education. ...
  5. English. ...
  6. General Studies. ...
  7. Health Science. ...
  8. Liberal Arts.

What is the easiest career to take in college? ›

10 Easiest College Majors for 2024
  1. Business Administration. ...
  2. Computer Science. ...
  3. Psychology. ...
  4. Accounting. ...
  5. Nursing. ...
  6. Finance. ...
  7. Economics. ...
  8. Healthcare Administration.
May 16, 2024

What is the quickest degree to get? ›

Associate degrees usually take two years to complete, but an accelerated format can help you finish a degree in just 12-18 months. An associate degree is a useful tool for job seekers, and many bachelor's programs allow you to transfer associate degree credits toward a four-year degree in a related field.

What is the least difficult degree? ›

Easiest Majors in College
  1. Business Administration. Business administration is considered one of the easier majors to choose as a college student. ...
  2. Psychology. Learning about the human mind is very interesting. ...
  3. English. ...
  4. Education. ...
  5. Communications.
Apr 5, 2024

What is an easy degree that pays well? ›

Bachelor of Science in Marketing is one of the easiest degrees to get a job with due to its high demand and potential. While the average salary of marketing majors in the US is around $67,990, salaries for managerial roles in the field are exceptionally high.

Which major requires the least studying? ›

The 14 Easiest Majors to Study in College
  • #1: Psychology. Psychology majors study the inner workings of the human psyche. ...
  • #2: Criminal Justice. ...
  • #3: English. ...
  • #4: Education. ...
  • #5: Social Work. ...
  • #6: Sociology. ...
  • #7: Communications. ...
  • #8: History.

What is the easiest and quickest college degree to get? ›

Check out the easiest college majors below:
  • Anthropology.
  • Business Administration.
  • Communications.
  • Creative Writing.
  • Criminal Justice.
  • Education.
  • English.
  • Health Sciences.

What is the lowest paying college major? ›

College majors that pay the least for mid-career workers
  • Early Childhood Education $48,000.
  • General Education $52,000.
  • Elementary Education $52,000.
  • Secondary Education $55,000.
  • Miscellaneous Education $56,000.
  • Social Services $56,000.
  • Theology + Religion $56,000.
  • Special Education $57,000.
Mar 24, 2024

What is the easiest job to make 100K a year? ›

9 jobs that pay $100K per year without a degree
  1. Information systems manager. ...
  2. Fire chief. ...
  3. Product manager. ...
  4. Senior engagement manager. ...
  5. Radiation therapist. ...
  6. Computer network architect. ...
  7. Senior real estate manager. ...
  8. Technical program manager.
Apr 18, 2024

What 1 year degree makes the most money? ›

What Are the Highest-Paying Associate Degrees?
  • Aviation Maintenance.
  • Respiratory Therapy.
  • Radiologic and MRI Technology.
  • Electrical Engineering Technology.
  • Occupational Therapy Assistance.
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology.
  • Industrial Engineering Technology.
  • Electro-Mechanical Technology.

What is the best degree ever? ›

A recent study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that engineering and computer science majors provide the highest returns in lifetime earnings, followed by business, health, and math and science majors.

What is the least stressful college major? ›

7 Least Stressful College Degrees That Can Help You Earn Well
  1. COMPUTER SCIENCE. Education degrees offer rewarding careers in teaching and counseling, providing opportunities to positively impact students' lives with manageable stress.
  2. EDUCATION: ...
  3. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: ...
  4. LIBRARY SCIENCE: ...
  5. STATISTICS: ...
  6. ACCOUNTING: ...
  7. NUTRITION:
May 10, 2024

What is the least regretted major? ›

Engineering majors have the fewest regrets: Just 24 percent wish they'd chosen something different, according to a Federal Reserve survey.

What major is the easiest to find a job? ›

Here is NACE's list of academic majors, showing the percentage of student applicants who had at least one job offer by the time they graduated:
  • Computer Science: 68.7%
  • Economics: 61.5%
  • Accounting: 61.2%
  • Engineering: 59%
  • Business Administration: 54.3%
  • Sociology/Social Work: 42.5%
  • Mathematics/Statistics: 40.3%
Jan 7, 2012

What's the hardest major to major in? ›

What are the most difficult university degrees in the world?
  • Chartered Accountancy.
  • Astrophysics.
  • Quantum Mechanics.
  • Law.
  • Aerospace/ Aeronautical Studies, Engineering.
  • Biomedical Studies, Neurosciences, Biochemistry.
  • Nursing.
  • Dentistry, Medicine.
Nov 17, 2023

What is the most difficult college major? ›

Sign Up with Pathway U!
  • Chemistry. It's no surprise that chemistry is one of the hardest majors in college. ...
  • Engineering. Like chemistry, engineering is an umbrella for a variety of other majors. ...
  • Physics. Everything we see in the world is physics. ...
  • Architecture. ...
  • Biology. ...
  • Accounting. ...
  • Physical Sciences. ...
  • Physiology.
Mar 29, 2024

What majors have the lowest GPAs? ›

Science majors tend to have lower GPAs on average, with chemistry being the major with the lowest average GPA. Meanwhile, education majors earn the highest GPAs on average.

What college degree takes the least amount of time? ›

Types of academic degrees
Academic degreeTypical completion time
Associate degreeTwo years
Bachelor's degreeFour years
Master's degreeTwo years
Doctoral degreeFour years
1 more row
Oct 17, 2023

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