Fast Facts

Most popular majors

Question:
What are the most popular majors for postsecondary students?

Response:
Of the 1,650,000 bachelor's degrees conferred in 2009–10, the greatest numbers of degrees were conferred in the fields of business (358,000); social sciences and history (173,000); health professions and related programs (130,000); and education (101,000). At the master's degree level, the greatest numbers of degrees were conferred in the fields of education (182,000) and business (178,000). At the doctor's degree level, the greatest number of degrees were conferred in the fields of health professions and related programs (57,700); legal professions and studies (44,600); education (9,200); engineering (7,700); biological and biomedical sciences (7,700); psychology (5,500); and physical sciences and science technologies (5,100)

In recent years, the numbers of bachelor's degrees conferred have followed patterns that differed significantly by field of study. While the number of degrees conferred increased by 33 percent overall between 1999–2000 and 2009–10, there was substantial variation among the different fields of study, as well as shifts in the patterns of change during this time period. The number of bachelor's degrees conferred in the combined fields of engineering and engineering technologies increased 8 percent between 1999–2000 and 2004–05, and then increased a further 12 percent between 2004–05 and 2009–10. In contrast, the number of degrees conferred in health professions and related programs was less than 1 percent lower in 2004–05 than in 1999–2000, but then rose 61 percent between 2004–05 and 2009–10. The number of degrees conferred in biological sciences was 4 percent higher in 2004–05 than in 1999–2000, but then increased by 31 percent between 2004–05 and 2009–10; and the number conferred in physical sciences and science technologies also was 4 percent higher in 2004–05 than in 1999–2000, but then increased by 22 percent between 2004–05 and 2009–10. Some technical fields experienced a contrasting pattern. After an increase of 43 percent between 1999–2000 and 2004–05, the number of degrees conferred in computer and information sciences decreased by 27 percent between 2004–05 and 2009–10. Other fields with sizable numbers of degrees (over 5,000 in 2004–05) that showed increases of 30 percent or more between 2004–05 and 2009–10 included multi/interdisciplinary studies (30 percent); homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting (42 percent); and parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies (46 percent).

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2012) Digest of Education Statistics, 2011 (NCES 2012-001), Chapter 3.

Related Tables and Figures:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2012, Digest of Education Statistics 2011, Figure 16. Bachelor’s degrees conferred by degree-granting institutions in selected fields of study: 1999–2000, 2004–05, and 2009–10
  
• 2012, Digest of Education Statistics 2011, Table 286. Bachelor's degrees conferred by degree-granting institutions, by field of study: Selected years, 1970-71 through 2009-10
  
• 2012, Digest of Education Statistics 2011, Table 289. Bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degrees conferred by degree-granting institutions, by field of study: Selected years, 1970-71 through 2009-10
  
• 2012, Digest of Education Statistics 2011, Table 290. Bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degrees conferred by degree-granting institutions, by sex of student and discipline division: 2009-10
  
• 2012, The Condition of Education 2012: Graduate Fields of Study
  
• 2012, The Condition of Education 2012: Undergraduate Fields of Study
  

Other Resources:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2011, The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): IPEDS is a system of surveys designed to collect data from all primary providers of postsecondary education.