The Most Popular College Majors in 2025: What Today’s Students Are Choosing and Wh
Choosing a college major has never been more important—or more complex. In 2025, students are entering higher education in the midst of rapid technological advancements, economic shifts, and growing awareness of societal needs. The result? A clear change in which college degrees students are gravitating toward.
At HeyCongrats.com, we believe in guiding students and families through critical education decisions with data-backed insights and approachable advice. In this post, we take a closer look at the most popular college majors in 2025. While some are long-standing staples of higher education, others are gaining traction due to new industries, emerging job markets, and a broader shift in how students think about purpose, stability, and income.
Whether you’re planning for college yourself or advising someone who is, understanding these trends can help ensure that the journey through higher education is not just fulfilling—but also future-proof.
What Drives a Major’s Popularity?
Several key factors influence the popularity of a college degree:
- Employment prospects and job market demand
- Starting salary and long-term income potential
- Passion and personal interest in a subject
- Social relevance or the opportunity to make a difference
- Transferability and flexibility across industries
In 2025, students are weighing all of these factors carefully. With the cost of college remaining high, there’s a growing emphasis on degrees that provide strong returns on investment—both financially and personally.
Business Remains the Foundation of Career Flexibility
Business-related degrees continue to dominate enrollment numbers across U.S. colleges and universities. Business administration and management, in particular, are consistently among the most chosen majors. These degrees offer broad skill sets that can be applied in nearly any industry—from healthcare and tech to finance and hospitality.
What makes business so enduringly popular is its practicality. Students learn how organizations operate, how to lead teams, and how to make data-informed decisions—skills that are in high demand across sectors. Business degrees also act as a springboard to entrepreneurship, one of the most aspirational career paths for Gen Z students.
As industries evolve and digital commerce grows, students are also showing increased interest in subfields such as marketing analytics, operations management, and global supply chain logistics—all typically housed under the business umbrella.
Healthcare and Nursing Are Rising for Good Reason
The healthcare field has seen a major spike in interest, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the most popular majors in 2025 is nursing, particularly the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This degree offers a powerful combination of job security, high demand, and the chance to make a real-world impact.
Students are also increasingly drawn to allied health degrees such as radiologic technology, public health, and healthcare administration. What these programs offer is a clear and direct path into meaningful, well-paying careers, often with the opportunity for continued advancement.
As the U.S. population ages and healthcare needs grow more complex, college degrees in healthcare are proving both popular and practical.
Psychology and the Mental Health Movement
Mental health is no longer a fringe issue—it’s a central topic in both public health and cultural dialogue. This shift has led to a notable rise in psychology majors, particularly among students who want to work in counseling, social services, education, or human resources.
Psychology’s popularity is also due to its versatility. It’s a degree that opens doors to many paths: graduate studies in clinical psychology, master’s degrees in counseling, roles in organizational behavior, and even research or policy development.
In 2025, many students are combining psychology with minors or electives in business, education, or public health to create a tailored degree path that suits both their passions and career goals.
Technology and Computer Science Continue to Surge
In an era defined by AI, machine learning, and digital transformation, it’s no surprise that computer science is one of the most popular college degrees in 2025. Students understand that tech is not only the future—it’s the present.
Computer science majors are choosing specializations in areas like cybersecurity, data science, and software development. Degrees in information technology and systems engineering are also gaining traction.
What sets this field apart is the clear link between the degree and high-paying, in-demand jobs. With remote and hybrid work environments becoming the norm, tech skills are more essential than ever—and students are responding accordingly.
Education Majors Hold Steady Despite Challenges
Despite growing concerns around teacher burnout and underfunded school systems, education remains a popular major. Students choosing to pursue teaching degrees in 2025 are often driven by purpose—specifically, the desire to make an impact in their communities.
There’s particular growth in special education, STEM education, and bilingual education majors, all of which are areas experiencing teacher shortages. Graduates in these fields often enjoy quicker job placement and, in some regions, financial incentives or loan forgiveness programs.
Students pursuing education degrees in 2025 also report a high degree of job satisfaction and a strong sense of mission, making it one of the most values-driven choices among all majors.
Other Fast-Growing Majors to Watch
Several other degrees are climbing the charts in terms of popularity this year. Environmental science, fueled by concerns about climate change, is drawing students interested in sustainability, policy, and research. Meanwhile, communications and media studies remain strong, particularly with the rise of digital marketing and content creation as viable career paths.
Economics, criminal justice, and political science are also seeing modest gains, thanks to increased engagement in civic issues and policy debates among younger generations.
Choose With Purpose and Perspective
While it’s helpful to know which college majors are the most popular in 2025, your choice should be based on more than trends. The best college degree is one that aligns with your goals, values, and interests—while also offering a pathway to a secure and meaningful career.
It’s okay to explore. It’s okay to change your mind. What matters most is making decisions from a place of informed confidence.
At HeyCongrats.com, we’re here to support you through every stage of your academic journey—from choosing the right degree to celebrating your graduation day and beyond. Keep checking back for up-to-date advice, career insights, and resources that help you thrive.
