What Are Easy College Majors with Good Career Potentials?

Most first-year college students don’t want to become astrophysicists. They do, however, want a degree that will get them a job. Do easy college majors limit your job choices? Not usually. However, the measure of an easy major is subjective. It all depends on what you like and don’t like. If you’re searching for easy majors, there’s a lot to consider. Some students hate writing, while others love math. Those who enjoy math find math classes easier than they do classes with lots of writing. Let your likes and dislikes be your guide as you explore the easiest majors in college.

What is a College Major?

A major is a subject area you want to study. About one-third to one-half of all courses you take in college will be in your major. Read on to find out what is the easiest college major.

How Do You Find the Easiest Majors?

There are different ways to find easy college majors. College counselors suggest not only taking classes in which you feel confident, but also taking some risks. Look for courses you find interesting. These can be subjects you found enjoyable in high school. Maybe even classes you breezed through. While it’s great to know you won’t have any trouble in these courses, it’s also important to take classes that will challenge you. Remember easy classes aren’t ones you sleep through. They can be challenging, fun, and interesting. It’s also good to remember that a major’s reputation is subjective. Students who find writing papers a challenge will claim a certain major is hard. But students who find writing a breeze will tell you a paper-heavy course or major is easy. While you can rely on experiences of your friends, it’s better to interview students in your major of interest. They’ve taken classes and worked with professors. You’ll learn more by asking about their experiences in a class or major.

What Are the Easiest College Majors?

Before answering, it’s important to point out that college is meant to be challenging. You should take risks. This means taking that acting class you’re sure will get you out of your comfort zone. But before you choose a major, think about these two things.

Your strengths
Your weaknesses

Let your strengths guide you. Also, let your weaknesses show you subjects you want to avoid. Read about easy majors to consider before it’s time to declare yours.

Communications Major

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This major teaches you how best to communicate in different settings and with diverse populations, sometimes even in foreign languages. You take courses that require a lot of written and verbal work. If you like writing and discussions, communications is a great choice. The University of Minnesota published this list of jobs for communications majors. A degree in this field allows you to work in:

broadcasting
journalism
public relations
publishing
writing

Communications Major Pros

If you like to write, you’ll spend a lot of time writing papers.
If you love public speaking, you will spend less time on tests and more on speeches.
Coursework is very hands-on. The skills learned are easily transferred to the workplace.

Communications Major Cons

Public speaking is required.
Starting salaries can be low. However, PR specialists earn about $62,000/year.

For a list of schools offering online communications degrees, don’t miss our resource: Top 30 Best Communications Degree Online Programs (Bachelor’s)

Creative Writing Major

This major is for students who loves to write. If writing papers causes more anxiety than exams do, this major may not be the right fit. However, if you enjoy creating, writing, and editing, you’ll enjoy this major. With a degree in creative writing you can work in journalism, publishing, or TV writing.

Creative Writing Major Pros

Take classes that allow you to explore your creativity.
Your homework might be working on a story you’ve thought about for years.
Learn how to make your writing skills marketable.

Creative Writing Major Cons

Courses are writing intensive. Not for students who don’t enjoy writing.
Getting feedback and critiques are a big part of this major. If you don’t like receiving feedback, you won’t enjoy this process.
Low wages for entry-level jobs. In fact, journalists start out with average wages of about $49,000/year.

Criminal Justice Major

Looking for the easiest major in college? Always been a fan of Superman over Batman? Then a degree in criminal justice will fit.

Criminal Justice Major Pros

Study interesting topics like white collar crime or the truth about serial killers.
Good pay for entry-level jobs. Paralegals make about $52,000/year.
Not a writing intensive major.
Good for students who like working with people and want to help them.

Criminal Justice Major Cons

Stressful career. This major isn’t for everyone, but it’s popular because it’s one of the easiest college majors. However, a career in it can cause stress.

Education Major

A lot of students find this major easy. It’s also a marketable major if you want to go into teaching. You also get to specialize in different teaching levels. For example, you can major in elementary, secondary, or special education.

Education Major Pros

Hands-on projects instead of papers and tests.
You graduate ready for work in a marketable career.
Entry for education programs require low SAT or ACT scores. Some programs have done away with these requirements completely.
Good pay. High school teachers earn average wages of about $62,000/year.

Education Major Cons

You won’t get paid for your student teaching gig.
Teaching jobs require state licensing.
Graduate degrees are required for administration jobs.

Read: 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education from Private Colleges

English Major

If you enjoy writing papers and reading literature, an English major is a good choice. Additionally, English major careers are broad. You can get a law degree or become an author. You can also narrow your major by choosing a focus area.

English Major Pros

Take interesting courses in creative writing or nonfiction writing.
For readers, you’ll enjoy many books each semester.
You learn valuable skills that can be taken with you into any career.
Not many tests or exams. Instead, you write papers.

English Major Cons

English majors write a lot of papers. Often, you’ll have two or more to complete during mid-terms and finals.
Can be harder to narrow down a career since the major is broad.

Foreign Languages Major

Multilingual students can make their college experience easier by majoring in a foreign language. But you don’t have to speak a foreign language fluently to declare it as your major. As long as you want to learn a language, you’re qualified to learn. This major teaches you how to speak, write, and read in a foreign language. You also develop skills that can be taken into just about any job. Career options include:

international business
interpretation
translation
writing

Foreign Languages Major Pros

Learn a new language.
Immerse yourself in the culture of a new language by traveling to another country.
Take part in study abroad programs.

Foreign Languages Major Cons

Classes require speaking in a foreign language you’re not comfortable communicating in.
Lots of quizzes and exams to test your knowledge.

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Graphic Design Major

Graphic design is a great choice for students with at least a little natural creative ability. Most schools offer a two-year associate’s degree in graphic design, so it’s one of the fastest degrees to pick up. You can find work with a two-year degree. Consider jobs in:

Animation
Game design
Graphic design
Graphic art
Web design

However, you need a bachelor’s degree or higher if you want to be a team leader or hold a management job.

Graphic Design Major Pros

Courses are very hands-on.
Instead of exams, you complete projects. So if you prefer project-based learning, you will enjoy this major.
You can explore your creativity while completing class projects.
Good pay for graphic designers. Their average pay is close to $54,000/year.

Graphic Design Major Cons

Projects require a certain level of attention to detail.
Freelance work is not as stable as being employed by a company.

History Major

History majors spend time reading and writing about the past. But if you love to read, write, and study past events, this major might suit you. History courses cover topics like:

American history
Cultural history
Slavery in America
The history of the Civil War

There are also many projects and papers required in each class.

History Major Pros

Teaches critical thinking
Improves your communication skills.
Offers skills and abilities that can be taken from the classroom to the job. In fact, employers like to hire history majors because they know they can write and think.
Can go to law school or earn a graduate degree in any humanities subject.

History Major Cons

Can be hard to drill down what you want to do with your life if you don’t narrow your scope of study.
Wages for history majors are among the lowest of humanities degrees.

Hospitality Major

Another easy major in college is hospitality. This major trains you train for work in the field as a manager. It also teaches you about work in:

bars
catering services
hotels
resorts
restaurants

While it is considered one of the easiest majors to get a job, the work can be stressful.

Hospitality Major Pros

A good major if you like working with people.
Some management jobs only require a four-year degree.

Hospitality Major Cons

Hotel and restaurant management work can be stressful.
Long hours. You will also work nights and weekends, or even holidays.
Strong job growth. The industry is always in need of hiring new management teams and workers.

Humanities Major

If you love reading and writing, look at career paths in humanities. This major includes subjects like:

cultural studies
English
literature
new languages

Instead of focusing on one subject, you learn about different subjects. You also write papers. In fact, you are graded more on your writing than on exams. For college students who love English literature, this is one of the easiest college degrees.

Humanities Major Pros

Easiest major for students who love subjects like English, history, and literature.
A good choice if you love to write and read.
Fewer exams and more papers.
Exposed to many topics and subjects.

Humanities Major Cons

Hard to narrow your career choice due to general studies.
Degree does not prepare you for a specific job.
You may need to pursue a graduate degree to find the best jobs.

Marketing Major

When it comes to easy college majors, marketing makes the cut. You can major in either marketing or business. However, if you major in business, you’ll take additional classes in marketing. Marketing students learn how to:

communicate ideas
research job markets
write press releases

The degree takes four years, as most majors do. But you won’t take any technical subjects that science majors take, such as math or chemistry.

Marketing Major Pros

An easy college major for students interested in business and PR.
Project-based learning.
High wages. In fact, the BLS reports marketing managers earn top wages around $125,000/year.

Marketing Major Cons

Test-heavy courses that require memorization.
Classes require public speaking and presentations.

Music Major

Music majors pursue what they’re passionate about. In this major, you spend time practicing and playing an instrument or working on your vocals. The major also prepares you to teach music and perform for audiences. If you want to earn a stable income with your music career, there are ways. In fact, music programs prepare you for composing, engineering, and teaching music. Music majors study:

Jazz
Musical theater
Music technology
Music theory and composition
Music therapy
Performance

Music Major Pros

You get to study what you’re passionate about.
You work with teams of people with shared interests.
Classes don’t require as many tests and exams as they do in other subjects.
The major helps you get out of your comfort zone. It also helps you gain confidence when performing in front of people.

Music Major Cons

It can be hard to find steady work if other skills are limited.
If you don’t want your hobby to turn into a job, you might want to avoid this major.
Performance anxiety.

Nutrition Major

What’s the easiest major if you’re interested in science? Nutrition. Considered one of the easy college degrees to earn in science if you want to avoid technical courses. This major doesn’t require the same courses you take as a biology or chemistry major. It also doesn’t require as many math courses. With a two-year degree, you can find work as a:

dietary consultant
health services manager
nutritionist
personal trainer

Nutrition Major Pros

If you want to go to graduate or professional school, it’s the easiest major.
Great for students who want to help people with their life skills and daily eating choices.
You don’t need a graduate degree to find work in the field.
Able to find work in different areas, such as doctor’s offices, gyms, spas, or other medical organizations.
Lots of freelance work available if you want to work for yourself.

Nutrition Major Cons

Even if you love working with people, you may find certain clients difficult to work with.
It can take time to build your business or get enough clients.
Some employers prefer advanced degrees or licensing.

Political Science Major

Interested in politics? Want to deepen your knowledge about government and how it affects people? This social science focuses on human behavior. In this program, you take courses like:

American foreign policy
American political thought
Gender politics
World politics

A degree can lead to jobs in education, government, or journalism. But most high-paying jobs require an advanced degree.

Political Science Major Pros

Develop strong critical thinking skills and the ability to write well.
While this major is a social science, you won’t need to take math-heavy courses. However, a basic understanding of statistics is needed.
Lab work relies heavily on polls, stats, and surveys.

Political Science Major Cons

High-paying jobs require a master’s degree.
Sometimes difficult to drill down a career because the degree is not technical in nature.

Psychology Major

For the right student, psychology is an easy college major. But easiness depends on the school and program. Some psychology programs are math-heavy, while others require fewer math and statistics courses. As a psych major, plan on taking courses like:

History of psychology
Psychological issues
Psychology of aging
Social psychology

Once you graduate, you can work in many different careers. For instance, psych majors work in business, education, HR, law, and even marketing.

Psychology Major Pros

Find jobs in many fields of work, from education to human resources.
Great for extraverts since psychology is a field about people and helping them.
Develop skills that can be taken with you into just about any workplace.

Psychology Major Cons

Some programs are research-heavy. Classes require analysis and lab work.
If you want to work as a psychologist, you need a graduate degree. Some jobs require a doctorate.

Religious Studies Major

Do you like to ponder life after death? Are you intrigued by different religions and philosophies? While you might not get clear-cut answers to your questions, you will still learn why religion is such a big part of society. You also learn how to effectively discuss your ideas through writing papers and discussion. Above all, you become a better thinker. Plan on taking courses like:

History of religion in America
Jews and Christians
Native American religions
Religion, culture, and public life
The Buddhist tradition in Asia
World religions

Career prospects for religious studies majors are vast. You can work as a counselor, lawyer, or religion professor. However, you need an advanced degree for most of these jobs. If you plan to pursue a job in academia, you need a doctorate.

Religious Studies Pros

An easy major if you’re not STEM-bent and want to avoid math and science courses.
Your ability to argue is more important than your ability to memorize dates.
You gain opportunities to study different cultures and beliefs that are different from your own.

Religious Studies Cons

Can be difficult to find work without a graduate degree.

Sociology Major

online bachelors degree variety of careers

What is the easiest college major? Many college students argue that sociology makes the cut. Sociology is the study of social systems. In other words, it is the study of how we function in society. If you want to major in this subject, you should have a desire to improve society in some way. Plan on taking courses like:

Classical social theory
Contemporary social theory
Crime and society
Race, class, and gender
Sociology of education
Statistics for social research

Sociology Major Pros

Short readings assigned from journal articles. Readings are short and concise.
Since you study people and society, you learn valuable skills that can be applied to any job.
Develop strong critical thinking skills and the ability to research.

Sociology Major Cons

Can be difficult to find work. Sociology majors face a higher than average unemployment rate.
If you want to be a social worker, you need a graduate degree, such as an MSW.
Social workers earn low wages and work long hours. The job can be rewarding, but comes with stress.

The University of California, Davis published this list of careers for sociology degree majors. Find schools offering sociology degrees: 30 Best Bachelor’s in Sociology Online Degrees

Benefits of Declaring a Major

When you declare a major, you let your school know your academic goals. You also get a number of benefits when you choose your area of study. Benefits include:

Finding an internship related to your interests.
Honing your skills, passions, and strengths.
Learning where to look and find jobs.
Taking classes that interest you.

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Don’t Feel Locked In

You can always change your mind after you declare your major. And you’re never locked in to what you put on your Common Application. In fact, 80% of students change their major before they graduate. Look for these signs that it’s time to change your major:

Sign #1: You don’t look forward to going to class.
Sign #2: You hated your internship.
Sign #3: You no longer enjoy your studies.
Sign #4: Your grades are suffering.
Sign #5: Your original choice was based solely on the money you thought you could make.

What To Do Before You Change Your Major

Before changing your major, take time to explore your many options. Read on to find out what to do before you make the switch.

Intern or volunteer in your potential career field.
Interview students in the major of interest.
Meet with your advisor to see what credits will transfer to your major.
Sample a class before you jump ship. This will help you decide on a new major.
Take time to think about your strengths.
Take time to consider your weaknesses.

Majors That Pay Well

Graphic Design. Graphic designers earn $53,380/year.
Marketing. Professional marketers make about $125,000/year.
Political Science. Political scientists earn over $125,000/year.
Psychology. Psychologists earn an average of $82,180/year.

Choosing the easiest college major is not a simple task. While the majors listed above are easy in the sense that you won’t spend hundreds of hours focusing on advanced topics, you will still be challenged. But these majors will also help you get a job after you graduate from college.

Today’s Job Market

Today jobs:

are competitive.
are not only about achieving job security. You should be happy in your job.
require a college degree.

The best choice of college major depends on:

a student’s skills
a student’s interests

You can find a major without it causing too much stress. This list will help. It’s also a good starting point for anyone asking: But your degree options on this list are easy enough for most students to handle without too much stress and some are even college majors that pay well. This list should provide a good starting point for anyone asking what is the easiest major in college. Related:

What Are Easy College Majors?

Ready to find the perfect college degree?