20 Best College Majors for Undecided Students

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Things to consider when choosing a major

Before we dive into the best majors for undecided students, let’s go over 5 things you need to know to help you determine the most fitting major for your interests, skills, and career goals:

1. Personal interests:

This is the first and the most important when choosing a major. You have to start by listing your hobbies, interests, or anything you could spend hours learning. Knowing this might lead you to choose a major that you’d enjoy and succeed in.

2. Strengths and skills:

The next thing to do to choose the best college major as an undecided student is to evaluate your strengths. You need to ask yourself some questions like? Are you a problem-solving enthusiast, a public-speaking aficionado, or a social media wizard? After that, you can match your skills with the potential majors you find interesting.

3. Career Goals:

Now, consider your long-term career goals, do you see a major that can lead you to it? There are some jobs you may like to take on in the future that require specific degrees, while others may just require a bachelor’s degree in any area of study.

4. Coursework:

You’re young so you need to explore. Exploring the coursework of different majors will help in your decision on choosing a major. If you enjoy most of the classes in a particular major, there’s a chance that you’ll enjoy working in that field.

5. Be Sure of the Market Demand:

Lastly, before picking one of the best college majors as an undecided student, you need to keep an eye on job market trends. The best college major found today could be different five years or ten years from now based on industry growth and job opportunities.

List of 20 Best College Majors for Undecided Students

Below is a list of the top 20 best college majors for undecided students. Most of the majors enlisted below are general degrees that students can tailor to specific jobs.

20 Best College Majors for Undecided Students

Now let’s go right down to giving specific details about these majors and the careers you can get out of them.

1. Business Administration

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Do you know that Business Administration is an incredibly diverse field? That is why it is one of the best college majors for undecided students.

As a business major, there is a need for you to have great people skills as well as the ability to make prudent decisions, crunch numbers, and solve problems. Communication skills are also needed.

You can always pair this particular major with a minor or double major. Many students choose to specialize in particular areas, including marketing, accounting, or international business. Creative students love pairing the business minor with their fashion or film studies majors.

Business administration students can work as a/an:

  • Human resource specialist
  • Marketing Manager
  • Management consultant
  • Research Analyst
  • Investment banker

2. Communication

  • Study Duration: 4 years

One of the most significant skills anyone can acquire is the skill of effective communication and thus, it makes it one of the best college majors for undecided students to choose from.

Communication is useful in so many works of life because it helps you to share your ideas, relate with people, and also manage your relationships with people efficiently.

Undecided students who choose this major can easily transition into other fields and still find the knowledge they’ll acquire to be very valuable.

They can find jobs in the following areas;

  • Public relations
  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Social media management
  • Graphic design

3. Psychology

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Psychology is among the best college majors for undecided students.

It’s a great choice for students who are interested in knowing more about learning, intelligence, cognition, emotion, motivation, personality, mental disorders, and many more. If you’re curious about how your mind works, getting a degree in psychology is the right choice for you.

Some of these career includes:

  • Research
  • Counseling
  • Education
  • Statistics
  • Marketing and Advertising etc.

4. Sociology

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. Let’s just simply put it, sociology is the scientific study of society.

Now, sociology as a major focuses on the study of humans. Students who choose this major explore the diversity of social behavior and interactions. They are on a quest to understand the human perspective by investigating different groups and institutions, such as religious sects, families, or gender and race.

Careers in sociology include;

  • Human Resources
  • Market Researcher
  • Social Worker
  • Paralegals etc.

5. Biology

  • Study Duration: 4 years

From cloning to wildlife, botany to microscopic organisms, biology is a very broad college major that will set you up well for further study in a variety of fields.

This is why it’s one of the best college majors for undecided students to choose from.

As a biology major, you’ll be able to study plants, animals, humans, and the environments in which they all live.

Some potential occupations include;

  • Dentistry
  • Ecologist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Botanists
  • Optometry

6. Economics

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Economics is another good choice to pick from this list of best college majors for undecided students. Reading this major, you’ll be able to understand individual behavior, business, and even policy, such as studying (and sometimes critiquing) how money is spent and how resources are allocated.

As a student of this major, you’ll need to have strong critical thinking and mathematical skills to get a strong foundation, but it’s an excellent preparatory pathway for a business career.

The careers this major can lead you to are;

  • Law
  • International studies
  • Pricing Analyst
  • Salesperson
  • Business Manager
  • Insurer etc

7. Political Science

  • Study Duration: 4 years

A lot of people think to study this major, one has to have aspirations for the White House to pursue a major in government or political science. This is not true because this timely field is constantly changing, as it deals primarily with current events.

There are topics like public policy, American and world government, political philosophy, foreign affairs, comparative government, and more that you would study.

8. History

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Students who choose history as a major typically pursue a specific discipline to focus their studies and develop a strong understanding of their subject area.

Historians as they are called explore and interpret past events and eras. To be a successful professional in this field, you must typically possess strong analytical, research, writing, and foreign language skills.

Additionally, studying history will help you to understand the culture and traditions of people at an in-depth level and this will open up your mind to view the world from a new perspective.

Jobs available for this major include;

  • Historian
  • Activist
  • Archeologist
  • Curator

9. English Language

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Nowadays students seem fearful of declaring an English major, why is it so? Many believe the discipline will cease to benefit them, but this perception is false.

While English students not only fine-tune their articulate writing skills through their education, they also continuously challenge their outlook on the world and develop the necessary analytical skills required in the trickiest of careers.

Below are some potential occupations available:

  • Reporter
  • Editor
  • Paralegal
  • Journalist
  • Creative writer

10. Mathematics

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Are you the kind of student who loves to solve analytical problems? Then you can choose this among the best college majors for undecided students.

Apart from the fact that you’ll be able to understand the core concepts of physics and engineering better than anyone else, you’ll also develop to become a better problem solver and critical thinker.

Mathematics is an important part of a great number of industries. This means that with a college major in Mathematics, you can open yourself up to many job opportunities.

11. Liberal Arts Studies

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Are you so undecided that you’re not sure what you want to do with the rest of your life? Well, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t go to college! Instead, you can pursue a degree in liberal arts or general studies.

Your career options as a liberal arts major are more varied than practically any other on this list. However, you will need to participate in additional career training or more college courses if you later decide to pursue a more specialized career, which will likely serve as the foundation for the rest of your education.

Some of the job offers in this major include;

  • Public Relation
  • Writer
  • Journalist
  • Artist
  • Research Analyst

12. Marketing

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Marketing is a major that has enormous appeal because of the variety of skills you learn when pursuing the major. This is the reason why it is among the best college majors for undecided students. Also, it is closely related to a communications major.

This is a relevant major that will allow you to work in a variety of settings, including as a self-employed professional running your marketing agency.

Some of these variety of settings include:

  • Social Media Marketing Coordinator
  • Marketing Executive
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Marketer

13. Computer Science

  • Study Duration: 4 years

The computer science major continues booming and growing as computers become one of the most powerful and influential forces in the world.

Not only is this major among the best college majors for undecided students, with thousands of students choosing it but it’s diverse and also highly lucrative.

While studying, you’ll get exposure to all aspects of computer science including robotics, gaming technology, programming languages, numerical analysis, and many more.

Potential occupations found in this major include;

  • Software Developer
  • Programming
  • Software engineer
  • Product Manager
  • Web developer
  • Study Duration: 4 years

Legal Studies as a major has a robust coursework and curriculum.

Studying this major will get you acquainted with the analysis of different laws, arguments as well and constitutional statements, and the knowledge you acquire will be valuable to you not just in the court of law but also in your personal and interpersonal life.

Careers found in this major are;

  • Legal Secretary
  • Paralegal
  • Legal enforcement
  • Real Estate

15. Philosophy

Philosophy majors tend to be well-rounded persons who can converse and reason about a wide range of topics. These attributes can give philosophers an edge in the job market and in gaining admission to professional programs in fields like medicine, business, and law.

Potential occupations include;

  • Journalism
  • Professor/teacher
  • Paralegal
  • Psychologist
  • Lawyer

16. Education

Education students study how people learn and how to best teach them. The coursework covers such topics as educational psychology, school health and safety issues, and the planning of classroom activities.

This is a great major for a student who is fascinated by the learning process and who loves to spend time with young people.

Some careers available in this major are;

  • Teacher
  • Education Consultant
  • Special Education Teacher
  • School Counselor

17. Public Policy

  • Study Duration: 4 years

We often suggest that undecided students should take up broad college majors that can allow them to transition into other careers easily. Public policy is one of such broad college majors because of its interconnection with other areas of life and fields of study.

As a public policy student, you will be able to improve your leadership and critical thinking abilities as you learn about policymaking.

18. Accounting

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Do you have a knack for numbers? Then you might want to consider a degree in accounting. As long as you have strong mathematical skills and attention to detail, this field can work well for you.

You will be working with numerical data to help businesses and individuals create and manage their budgets, handle payments, and engage in financial forecasting.

The following are some careers you can find using an accounting major;

  • Forensic Accountant
  • Chartered Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Mortgage Advisor

19. Criminal Justice

  • Study Duration: 4 years

Many students choose this major because they like the idea of a fast-paced lifestyle in law enforcement, but a smarter choice is to think carefully about your skills and lifestyle and to choose a concentration in criminal justice that meshes with your needs.

For example, you might combine your degree with another in sociology, law, forensics, or education if you want a truly versatile degree that will help you secure a job. You could work as a law enforcement agent, of course, but your options extend beyond that.

Some popular career choices for criminal justice majors include careers as;

  • Crime Analysts
  • Forensics Investigators
  • Emergency Responders

20. Finance

  • Study Duration: 4 years

A major in finance is closely related to one in business or economics – but with more of a focus on money in particular. Your classes span across areas like microeconomics, macroeconomics, accounting, and statistics.

Upon graduation, you could work as any of the following depending on your skill set and your level of expertise:

  • Financial analyst
  • Financial Advisor
  • Financial manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions undecided students often have when navigating the complex waters of choosing a college major.

Currently, business majors are some of the most popular among U.S. college students. Business is a versatile discipline, and a degree in this field can open many doors for your career. But this question depends on your location or country so you have to find out what’s the most popular major in your country and see if you are into it.

2. What are the implications of changing your major?

You can certainly change your major, but the consequences of this decision are that it may extend your college years, increase the cost of your education, and/or impact your graduate school plans. It’s often advisable to start as an undeclared major and explore different fields through electives and general education courses in your first year.

3. What is the best major for the future?

The “best” major often conciliates with evolving market trends. While science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors are popular due to high job prospects, social sciences and humanities majors are well known for their critical thinking and communication skills. These skills lend themselves to many different careers.

4. How important is choosing the right major for my career?

It depends on the career you want to venture into. Certain majors lead to specific careers, like being a doctor or lawyer. Some majors, like art and economics, can lead to several careers. If you’re still trying to determine your career path, identify the skills and knowledge you’ll gain from a particular major. Then, plan on how you can use these skills in the professional world after graduation.

5. Do I have to declare a major when I submit my college application?

Some colleges allow applicants to be undeclared. However, many admissions panel readers advise students not to be undeclared. This can prevent them from understanding the student.

It’s advisable to pick a major you’re fairly serious about and switch later on than to be undeclared on your application. However, it is important to know that you shouldn’t choose any major randomly. This is especially true if the rest of your application doesn’t align with your selection. For persons who don’t know what to study, being undeclared is acceptable if the other parts of their application show their interests and goals.

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Conclusion

The above majors all have lucrative careers once you venture into them. You don’t need to worry about getting a job because they are readily available anywhere. We just hope you’ve decided on which college major you’ll want to study.

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