What Should I Major In? How to Choose Your College Major

Your college major determines your course of study for the next few years and can lay the foundation for your career. If you don’t have an idea of what you want to do after college, choosing a major may seem nearly impossible.

But, if you don’t know what to major in, you’re not alone. While many students struggle to choose a major, there are some simple ways to make the decision easier by defining your interests and identifying a clear educational path.

How Do I Figure Out What Major is Best for Me?

When choosing a major in college, start by thinking about your interests. You can ask yourself:

• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
• What are your career goals?
• What have you learned in high school or previous college courses that made you want to know more?

Once you've looked at your interests, strengths and career goals, you can see how they intersect and translate into a college major that's right for you.

"I always suggest students look at the job postings in the company they wish to work for and see what the educational requirements are," said Katie Fuller, a director of graduate admission at SNHU. "It’s easier to work backwards from their end-goal rather than trying to find a needle in the haystack."

What Are Different Types of College Majors?

There are many college majors to choose from. Some areas of study include:

• Business: Accounting, Marketing, Operations Management
• Health Professions: Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Public Health
• Liberal Arts: Communication, Creative Writing, History
• Social Sciences: Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology
• STEM: Computer Science, Data Analytics, Mathematics

If you don’t have a general understanding of the different options available, it makes choosing a major all the more difficult. Looking at what universities have to offer can help you narrow down what you're most interested in. Do they have different concentrations in your desired field? What are their most popular majors? A major you might be interested in may not be offered at a school of your choice.

Choosing your major is not a decision that needs to be rushed when you start college — you have more time than you think. Explore different subject areas and find what interests you most. You may even find a new passion.

Adding a Minor

When choosing a field of study, there may be more than one area you want to explore. Along with your major, you also have the opportunity to focus on a minor at the same time.

“Minors are a great way to complement a major that gives students the opportunity to explore interests outside of their program of study and broadening their problem-solving expertise,” said Tracy Micali, an associate director of career development at SNHU. “Adding a minor also allows a student to cast a wider net when they search for positions in their field. It is an easy way to combine disciplines and create a unique skill set that allows them to market themselves more effectively.”

Do Your Research: What Major is Right for Me?

Before choosing a college major, take some time to research jobs that interest you. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What kind of education does each job require?
• Do any of these jobs require more advanced degrees?
• Will you need to get a state license or pass a certification exam?

Knowing how to get to your desired career is key. A high school guidance counselor or the career services team, if you're already a college student, are great resources to utilize. They can help you set up a plan to achieve your goals.

If you're considering a career in accounting, for example, completing a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification is strongly recommended. Earning a bachelor's degree in accounting is not enough preparation for the CPA exam, so you may also want to pursue a master's degree in accounting or take a certification preparation course. CPA licensing policies vary from state to state, so it's important to know the requirements in your area before getting started.

“One of the most common questions students want to know is from a career perspective, what they can do with a given major before declaring it,” said Micali. “They want to know that there are many different career paths to choose from.”

Doing this research before you start a degree program will help you make educated decisions and better prepare you for finding work after graduation.

If you know you need a degree but aren't sure what you want to do, you could pursue a bachelor's in general studies. This path would help you complete all of the general education requirements needed to receive a degree while allowing you the flexibility to take a variety of courses.

"This program has the most free elective space where students can explore their interests more freely than in other, more specialized programs," Fuller said.

Salary and Job Growth

While salary and job growth are never guaranteed in any career, it’s a good idea to look into these factors when choosing a major.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a great place to start this research. BLS data covers a wide variety of industries and career paths and offers up-to-date information on salary, how salary differs among industries and the level of job growth predicted in each field.

For example, if you're interested in getting a business degree, you may want to choose a concentration. According to BLS, the median annual wage for all business and financial occupations was $80,920 in May 2024.* Meanwhile, management analysts had a median annual wage of $101,190 that same year, BLS said.* Adding a concentration in business analytics could help you better prepare yourself for that career path.

This information can help you determine if you’re choosing a major with strong job prospects in the years to come and ultimately help you decide between majors.

Get Real-World Perspective

Speaking to people you already know within your desired field or with the admissions counselor at your university is a great way to gain insight into areas you’re interested in.

"Firsthand knowledge is so powerful and can oftentimes help students think differently about the direction they want to move in," said Fuller.

Alumni from your university who majored in your desired field are another great source to get some real-world perspective before choosing your major.

Take Adrian Henares '24, for example. When Henares enrolled at SNHU, she didn't have a particular goal in mind, but she said she thought a communication degree could open doors to a variety of opportunities.

"It took a lot of life to tell me what my actual goals were," she said.

During her degree program, Henares landed a new job at an ice rink. As a figure skater with years of experience, she felt right at home, and she knew she wanted to stay in the industry. With this new goal driving her, she dedicated herself to applying her communications knowledge to the ice rink industry.

At What Point is It Too Late to Switch Majors?

Typically, you don’t need to declare a major until your sophomore or junior year, depending on your university. That said, waiting too long to declare or switch majors could mean spending more time and money on your degree than necessary.

There's no shame in switching majors. According to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), about 30% of undergraduates changed their major at least once within three years of enrollment, and about 1 in 10 students switched majors more than once.

If you've declared your major and are second-guessing your choice, you should let your admission counselor or academic advisor know as soon as possible. They can help you pick a major that better aligns with your goals and put a plan in motion to help you graduate on time.

Putting It All Together: What is the Best Major for Me?

Choosing a college major can be challenging. But, by taking some time to consider your interests, ideal lifestyle and professional goals, you can find a major that will set you up for long-term success.

If you're currently in high school, your guidance counselor is a great resource for choosing a major. And if you apply to SNHU, an admission counselor can help you find the right degree for you.

"This is where our counselors shine and truly showcase their passion for our students," Fuller said. "The amount of time, care, and compassion our counselors show when helping students navigate these questions, in my opinion, are what sets SNHU apart from any other college or university."

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Alexa Gustavsen ’21 is a content facilitator and writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Based in New Hampshire, she completed her bachelor's in creative writing and English on campus at SNHU. Currently, she is pursuing her master's in marketing online at the university. Connect with her on LinkedIn.