Hardest & Easiest College Majors
The hardest & easiest college majors revealed.
When it comes to choosing a major in college, there are certain fields of study that have reputations. Whether they’re known for being ridiculously easy or notoriously difficult, it’s just a fact that not all degrees are created equal. So how are you supposed to know which college majors are the hardest? And, if you want to stay away from those, which ones are the easiest?
We’ve rounded up the hardest and easiest college majors for 2024. Wherever your priorities are, we’re here to help you optimize your college schedule. When there are only so many hours in the day, you need to make the most of your time spent studying, too! See if your degree made the list.
10 Hardest College Majors
10. Fine Arts
- Average GPA: 3.2
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 16.5 hours
Most people don’t think of fine arts as being a difficult degree, but it’s much tougher than people think. It covers a wide range of challenging degrees like dance, theater, music, film, photography, visual arts, and creative writing. The field is also incredibly competitive with a high barrier for entry. The degree, regardless of your choice of study, requires intense discipline and commitment.
9. Philosophy
- Average GPA: 3.1
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 16 hours
Getting a degree in philosophy generally requires you to study quite a bit, and the time spent studying requires intense concentration. Most philosophy majors end up eventually getting a degree in law or some form of academia. However, being in both of those fields requires some level of graduate degree, so just note you’re going to be in school for a while.
8. Mathematics
- Average GPA: 3.3
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 15 hours
No surprises that mathematics is one of the toughest majors in college since it involves numbers and solving complex problems. More than half go on to get a graduate degree as well. Most careers are found in actuarial science, data analysis, and finance. Your undergrad coursework will involve algebra, logic, geometry, and analysis.
7. Accounting
- Average GPA: 3.2
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 16.5 hours
Accounting is one of the most versatile degrees since essentially every person and company needs one at some point in their life. If you’re looking to do something with math without majoring in mathematics, this is your best bet. The field requires long apprenticeships and hours of studying after you graduate but is a very lucrative field to be in.
6. Biology
- Average GPA: 3.2
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 18.5 hours
Obviously biology covers a broad field of studies. Simply put, it’s the study of living organisms. There are plenty of specializations including zoology, marine biology, botany, ecology, and more. Two-thirds of biology undergrads eventually go on to some level of graduate school, so be prepared for more work outside your degree. Coursework for the degree is known to be challenging and time-consuming.
5. Nursing
- Average GPA: 3.2
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 17 hours
Nursing is notoriously one of the most difficult degrees to get, not to mention that the career itself is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Undergraduate classes include studying psychology, chemistry, and anatomy. Careers are in both clinical and hospital settings. Nurses also must take a state licensing exam before practicing.
4. Architecture
- Average GPA: 3.3
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 22 hours
Architecture is essentially putting art and engineering together, which are two already challenging degrees. The coursework focuses on both art and science, so expect a lot of attention to detail. If you’re not planning on becoming an actual architect (which you need a license for, along with a 3-5 year internship), you can also get jobs in fields like interior design and urban planning.
3. Physics
- Average GPA: 3.1
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 18.5 hours
Physics is one of the fundamental sciences that explores how the universe works. There are plenty of areas of specialization, including astrophysics, particle physics, and meteorology. Nearly 75% of undergraduates end up getting an advanced degree of some kind. Undergraduate coursework includes calculus, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and quantum mechanics.
2. Engineering
- Average GPA: 3.2
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 21 hours
The foundation of engineering is using math and science to solve problems (hello STEM!). There are a huge amount of specializations in the field which include biomedical, chemical, mechanical, aerospace, civil, electrical, and more. The job market for engineering is always increasing, although about one third of students end up getting a more advanced degree.
1. Chemistry
- Average GPA: 2.9
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 18.5 hours
Notoriously difficult, chemistry is often a stepping stone for a more advanced degree with almost two-thirds of undergrads going on for a more advanced degree. It’s also a great predecessor for medical school. The college coursework focuses on biology, math, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and physical chemistry.
10 Easiest College Majors
10. Psychology
- Average GPA: 2.9
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 10 hours
You might not think of psychology being an easy major in college, but it definitely has that reputation. Obviously some career paths require advanced degrees, but there are also plenty of opportunities in business and human resources. Since psychology is such a broad field with different specializations, your coursework will cover a variety of topics.
9. Public Relations & Advertising
- Average GPA: 3.0
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 12 hours
For students looking to go into strategic communications for businesses, enterprises, and politics, public relations and advertising is your best bet. Your undergrad courses will likely be in copywriting and media strategy. The most successful students should also plan to take classes in design, writing, video, and client relations.
8. Journalism
- Average GPA: 3.2
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 12 hours
Although journalism is considered a dying field, it has certainly changed scope within the last few decades. Your job could be anywhere in the field—internet, television, radio, podcasts, and more. Plenty of journalism majors also wind up working in public relations. Most of your courses in college will center around communication, writing, and production.
7. Hospitality
- Average GPA: 3.0
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 25 hours
As a hospitality major, your job options include the fields of entertainment, dining, travel, events, and lodging—everything related to guests having a great experience. Most of your undergrad will be spent in classes like hospitality management and finance. The environment is fast-paced and always changing!
6. Ethnic Studies
- Average GPA: 3.3
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 10 hours
If you’re worried about finding a job with a degree in ethnic studies, there are actually more career paths than you think. Teaching, politics, law, and social services are all fantastic options. Most coursework focuses on past, current, and future issues faced by different racial and ethnic groups. Eventually you’ll concentrate on one particular area of study such as Asian American Studies or Black Studies.
5. English
- Average GPA: 3.3
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 16 hours
While most English majors end up in teaching, the job prospects for them are varied. From law to healthcare, there isn’t a shortage of jobs for those who wind up majoring in English. Your coursework will involve literature and literary analysis, and you might end up choosing a specialization such as literature or linguistics.
4. Criminal Justice
- Average GPA: 3.0
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 12 hours
Even though criminal justice is usually one of the easier college majors, the future careers of those who decide to major in the field are anything but. The careers for criminal justice majors are lucrative and are often in fields like law, forensics, and psychology. You might need to choose a specialization (like law enforcement or cybersecurity).
3. Communications
- Average GPA: 3.3
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 12 hours
Majoring in communications opens up a wide variety of career paths like marketing, public relations, or sales. During your coursework, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively through writing, speaking, and other media. You’ll likely take classes in professional writing and public speaking, setting you up for success in your future field.
2. Business Administration
- Average GPA: 3.2
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 11 hours
Business has been the most popular major since the 80s, and for good reason—it’s one of the most practical fields to go into. The job market is the most lucrative for business majors, with opportunities in almost every sector. Most of your courses will be in things like communications and economics before you decide what you want to specialize in.
1. Anthropology
- Average GPA: 3.5
- Average Time Spent Studying Per Week: 16 hours
Anthropology focuses on the study of humanity along with how our understanding of the past affects both the present and future. Even if you don’t plan on becoming an actual anthropologist or archaeologist, there are jobs available in various fields. Government jobs, nonprofits, and businesses often hire anthropology majors, and many go on to work in fields related to diversity or social justice.
Highest-Paying College Majors
It’s no surprise that some of the hardest college majors wind up making the most money. And let’s be real, you don’t want to end up picking one of the worst-paying college majors, right? According to a study done by Best Colleges, these are the top 10 college majors that have the highest salaries when hired after graduation. Note that these are the baseline salaries for recent college graduates.
- Computer Engineering: $80,000
- Chemical Engineering: $79,000
- Computer Science: $78,000
- Aerospace Engineering: $74,000
- Electrical Engineering: $72,000
- Industrial Engineering: $71,000
- Mechanical Engineering: $70,000
- Finance: $66,000
- Math: $65,000
- Economics: $65,000
Easiest College Majors with the Highest Pay
There are some degrees, however, that are relatively easy and pay well. These are the top 10 degrees that you can get done quickly and still make plenty of money when looking for a job after graduation. Note that these are average salaries for all professionals in the field.
- Information Technology: $101,000
- Finance: $88,000
- Management: $77,000
- Healthcare Administration: $70,000
- Human Resources: $68,000
- Criminal Justice: $67,000
- Business Administration: $65,000
- History: $64,000
- Communications: $61,000
- English: $54,000
