Most Popular College Majors in America 2026

Choosing a major is one of the biggest decisions in a college student's life — and trends in major selection tell us a lot about where students see opportunity. Based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and university enrollment reports, here are the most popular college majors in 2026 and what's driving student choices.

The Top 10 Most Popular Majors in 2026

Rank	Major	% of Degrees Awarded	Trend
1	Business Administration & Management	19.4%	Steady
2	Computer Science & Information Technology	12.8%	Rising sharply
3	Health Professions (Nursing, Public Health)	12.3%	Rising
4	Engineering	7.8%	Steady
5	Biological & Biomedical Sciences	6.9%	Steady
6	Psychology	5.8%	Slight decline
7	Communication & Journalism	4.5%	Declining
8	Social Sciences (Economics, Political Science)	4.2%	Slight decline
9	Education	3.8%	Recovering
10	Visual & Performing Arts	3.4%	Declining

Business: Still King, But Evolving

Business has been the most popular major in America for decades, and 2026 is no exception. Nearly one in five bachelor's degrees is awarded in a business-related field. But the nature of business education is shifting:

• Data analytics and business intelligence concentrations are growing rapidly within business schools.
• Entrepreneurship programs have expanded, fueled by the startup culture.
• Supply chain management surged in popularity after COVID-era disruptions.
• Traditional concentrations like marketing and management are still popular but increasingly integrate technology.

Median starting salary for business graduates: $58,000.

Computer Science: The Unstoppable Rise

CS has been the fastest-growing major of the past decade, and in 2026 it's firmly the #2 most popular field. The number of CS degrees awarded has more than tripled since 2010. Driving factors include:

• Tech industry salaries averaging $85,000-$120,000 for entry-level positions at major companies.
• The AI/machine learning boom creating enormous demand for technical talent.
• Remote work flexibility that's especially valued by younger workers.
• CS skills being applicable across nearly every industry — healthcare, finance, entertainment, government.

However, some universities are now seeing saturation concerns. Schools like Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, and UC Berkeley have made CS admission increasingly competitive, with some capping enrollment.

Health Professions: The Post-Pandemic Surge Continues

Nursing, public health, and health administration programs have seen sustained enrollment growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 1.8 million healthcare job openings per year through 2032. Key trends:

• Nursing remains the single most popular health major, with BSN programs at capacity at most universities.
• Public health has emerged as a standalone major at many schools, driven by pandemic-era awareness.
• Health informatics — the intersection of healthcare and data — is a fast-growing niche.

Engineering: Steady Demand, Evolving Specializations

Engineering consistently ranks among the top 5 most popular majors. While traditional disciplines like mechanical and electrical engineering remain strong, newer specializations are growing:

• Biomedical engineering — up 35% over the past five years.
• Environmental engineering — driven by climate-focused career interest.
• Software engineering — overlaps significantly with CS but with a more structured engineering curriculum.

Median starting salary for engineering graduates: $73,000.

The Declining Majors: What's Losing Popularity

Not every field is growing. Several majors have seen enrollment declines:

• English and Literature — Down approximately 25% over the past decade. Concerns about career prospects have pushed students toward more "practical" fields.
• History — Similar decline to English, though interdisciplinary programs (history + data science, for example) are emerging.
• Communication — Once a top-5 major, communication has slipped as media industry disruption makes traditional journalism and PR careers less certain.
• Education — Teacher shortages are severe, but low starting salaries ($38,000-$45,000) continue to deter students. Some states are responding with incentive programs.

Emerging Majors to Watch

Several newer fields are gaining traction:

• Data Science — Now offered as a standalone major at over 100 universities.
• Cybersecurity — Explosive demand with over 750,000 unfilled positions in the U.S.
• Sustainability/Environmental Studies — Growing as ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) becomes central to business strategy.
• UX/UI Design — Bridging the gap between technology and human-centered design.

Choosing Your Major: Beyond Popularity

A major's popularity doesn't necessarily make it right for you. Consider:

• Your genuine interests and strengths. You'll spend 4+ years studying this subject and potentially decades working in the field.
• Salary data for specific programs at specific schools. A nursing degree from one university might have very different outcomes than the same degree from another.
• Job market projections. Growing fields offer more opportunities and less competition.
• Versatility. Some majors (economics, CS, engineering) open doors to many career paths; others are more specialized.

Use Ask Kinsley to explore salary outcomes, alumni career paths, and program quality for any major at any school — so you can choose based on data, not just trends.