What should you study in college? How to choose a major

Choosing a college major sounds simple on paper. Pick something. Study it. Graduate. Move on with life.

In reality? It’s one of the most stressful decisions students face.

You’re often asked to decide what you want to do with your life before you’ve even had a real job. Advice comes from everywhere: parents, teachers, friends, TikTok, random rankings online. Much of that advice contradicts itself, with one person saying “follow your passion” another saying “pick something practical” and someone else saying your major doesn’t matter at all.

The truth is, choosing a major isn’t about finding the perfect answer. It’s about making a well-informed decision that fits who you are right now and gives you room to grow later.

There’s No “Perfect” Major and That’s Good News

Let’s get this out of the way early: there is no single “best” major for everyone.

There are students who thrive in engineering and students who hate it. Some people love writing papers. Others would rather do literally anything else. Plenty of graduates end up working in fields that don’t match their major at all—and they’re doing just fine.

Your major won’t lock you into a single career, but it does shape:

• What skills you build

• How hard college feels day to day

• Which opportunities are easier (or harder) to access early on

This decision is important, but its consequences are nuanced and not an all-or-nothing outcome.

What Actually Leads to Fewer Regrets

Research and real-world experience point to the same idea: students are most satisfied with their major when it aligns with three core factors.

• What you’re good at?

• What you like to do?

• What do you want in the future?

When one of these is ignored, regret tends to show up later. When they work together, students are more engaged in college and more adaptable after graduation.

How to Use This Guide

You don’t need to read this article from top to bottom in one sitting. It’s intentionally very dense to help people from various backgrounds and at all levels of education.

Each section is designed so you can:

• Skim the headers

• Jump to the part you’re stuck on

• Walk away with at least one useful insight

If you already know what you enjoy, skip ahead. If you’re unsure about career goals, focus there. If academics feel intimidating, start with strengths.

What This Article Is and What It’s Not

This guide is:

• A set of research-informed reflective questions

• Honest about trade-offs

• Written for real students, not perfect ones

This guide isn’t:

• A list of “best majors”

• A salary ranking

• A personality quiz that spits out one answer

Instead, the goal is to help you think clearly, ask better questions, and make a decision you will not regret.

What Are You Good At?

What work feels effortless for you, and what tends to be a struggle?

Understanding Your Natural Strengths (Without Overthinking It)

Begin by reviewing your academic strengths, the assignments that energize you, and the skills teachers praise to help identify majors and careers that fit.

• Which subjects have you consistently done well in? Reflecting on your consistent academic success helps distinguish between a fluke and a genuine cognitive strength, such as verbal aptitude, numerical aptitude, or logical reasoning.
• What kinds of assignments feel challenging but doable? Identifying work that feels “challenging but doable” is a sign of intrinsic motivation and autonomy, where you are driven by the inherent interest of the task and the desire for mastery rather than just an external grade.
• What do teachers tend to praise you for? Teachers often provide external validation for your transferable skills, such as problem-solving, effective communication, or leadership, which are core competencies that remain relevant across all job industries.

What “natural ability” actually means (and what it doesn’t)

In a professional and academic context, natural ability (or aptitude) is defined as an inherent capability or capacity to perform well in a particular field, discipline, or type of work. It focuses on innate potential rather than acquired knowledge, measuring how well an individual can learn, think, solve problems, and adapt to new environments. However, “natural” does not mean “fixed” or “unchangeable”; research indicates that while inherent strengths exist, scores on aptitude tests can fluctuate and improve with strategic practice. It is a measure of how quickly a person can grasp new information and which specific cognitive skills they naturally excel in.

Why being “good at something” doesn’t mean it’s always easy

There is a common misconception that if a subject or task is a true strength, it should require minimal effort. On the contrary, individuals who hold a “growth theory” of interest recognize that even pursuing their strongest passions will sometimes be challenging or frustrating. Believing that a “found” passion should provide limitless motivation and ease can actually lead people to give up when they encounter inevitable difficulties. Real purpose often emerges through the “doing”—a person pays attention, learns the skills, and discovers they are good at something; the love for the work frequently follows mastery and engagement rather than preceding it. Furthermore, intrinsically motivated individuals often seek out challenges because the process of mastering a discipline provides its own psychological reward.

Patterns matter more than single classes or test scores

To understand your strengths, you must look at consistency over time rather than isolated data points. For instance, a Grade Point Average (GPA) is a stronger predictor of future performance than a one-time standardized test (like the SAT or ACT) because it reflects enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors across various assignments and exams. While a single test measures maximal performance in a high-stakes moment, your long-term academic record captures your typical performance. Vocational interests also show dramatic increases in stability during the college years, suggesting that a consistent “interest profile” is a more reliable guide for your future than a passing curiosity in a single class.

How Academic Skills Should Factor Into Your Major Choice

Begin by honestly assessing your comfort with math, your appetite for reading and writing, and which skill gaps you’re willing to work on.

• Do I tolerate math, or actually enjoy it? While course enjoyment is the main determinant of major choice, merely “tolerating” math can be a liability in quantitative fields where numerical aptitude explains a significant portion of the variance in final grades.
• Do I like reading and writing a lot — or just enough? High-wage fields now require a broader mix of skills, and writing remains one of the eight high-prevalence skills essential across all job industries. If you only like writing “just enough,” you might struggle in majors that require strong information-processing skills, like reading dense texts and pulling out key points.
• Which skill gaps am I willing to work on? It is important to distinguish between traits (what you typically do) and skills (your maximal capacity). Even if you are not naturally inclined toward a specific area, skills are malleable and can be improved with strategic practice and intervention. Choosing a major requires a “balancing act” between your current talents and the social and economic needs of your future career.

Why math and English skills matter more than students expect

While students often choose majors based on interest or passion, math (numerical aptitude) and English (verbal aptitude) are the primary cognitive anchors that determine actual academic success. Research indicates that cognitive ability is a strong predictor of academic performance, with numerical and verbal reasoning frequently serving as the most significant determinants of GPA across diverse fields. Beyond the classroom, employers prioritize communication and problem-solving as the most essential skills in new hires, yet these are often the areas where they find the largest “skills gaps” in recent graduates. Consequently, being proficient in these areas is not just about passing classes; it is about meeting the increasingly specific and specialized skill requirements of high-wage jobs.

How majors quietly sort students by skill demands

Majors act as a sorting mechanism by requiring high “maximal performance” in specific cognitive domains. For instance, introductory “weeder” courses often use intense math or reading requirements to filter students who may lack the necessary pre-college preparation. Research shows that certain aptitudes predict success better in specific degrees: numerical aptitude is the top predictor for success in graphic design and optometry, while verbal aptitude is critical for systems analysis. Even in fields perceived as non-quantitative, such as psychology, math skills are essential for mandatory statistics courses, while English proficiency is a unique contributor to success in theoretical subjects.

Broad skill groupings

• Math-heavy and quantitative majors: These include Engineering, Computer Science, Finance, and Systems Analysis. Students in these fields generally report the lowest levels of major regret, largely due to strong job prospects and higher lifetime earnings.
• Reading-, writing-, and discussion-heavy majors: This group includes the Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, History, and Communications. These majors focus on honing critical thinking, written and oral communication, and persuasive argumentation—skills that are highly valued but often lead to lower initial salaries, contributing to higher levels of reported regret among alumni.
• Mixed or applied majors: Fields like Medicine, Marketing, Education, and Industrial Management require a hybrid of technical knowledge and interpersonal interaction. For example, medical programs require high quantitative reasoning in the early years but shift toward requiring abstract and verbal reasoning during clinical stages where patient communication is vital.

How Rigorous Is the Major (And Does That Matter for You)?

Consider how much stress you can handle, whether you thrive in competitive grading, and if you need structured support or flexible options before choosing a major or school.

• How much stress can I realistically handle? Your ability to handle academic pressure is linked to stress regulation (an essential behavioral skill) and emotion regulation, which is the ability to manage your emotional state to resolve problems and stay on course.
• Am I okay with competitive grading environments? In many academic systems, the Grade Point Average (GPA) acts as a “gatekeeper” to future opportunities, creating high-pressure environments. Some majors utilize “weeder” introductory courses to intentionally create competitive environments that filter students who may lack specific pre-college preparation.
• Do I need structure, or do I do better with flexibility? Students who need structure may benefit from proactive advising, which provides a holistic, scheduled approach to course planning and time management. On the other hand, those who crave flexibility might prefer individualized degree programs, which offer greater autonomy and the freedom to integrate diverse interdisciplinary interests into a personalized curriculum.

What “rigor” really means (time, pace, pressure — not intelligence)

Academic rigor is often misunderstood as a simple measure of an individual’s intelligence; however, research suggests it is a complex interaction between cognitive ability, self-discipline, and planning. Cognitive abilities—specifically Information Processing Ability (IPA) and Logical Reasoning Ability (LRA)—determine how efficiently a student can comprehend classroom material and build a knowledge system. Beyond these “traits” (what you typically do), rigor tests your “maximal performance,” which is your capacity to perform at your absolute limit during high-stakes situations like examinations. Therefore, a rigorous major is one that demands high classroom efficiency and consistent effort management to translate innate potential into actual academic achievement.

Why struggling isn’t failure, but chronic misery is a warning sign

Struggling can be a sign of a “growth theory” of interest, where a student understands that even strong passions require cultivation and that encountering difficulties is a natural part of developing a skill. However, chronic misery may indicate a lack of career fulfillment, which occurs when a student’s work is no longer compatible with their personal values and private life needs. When the pressure of a major leads to job burnout—a state of being exhausted and overwhelmed—it can lead to a significant decline in effectiveness and overall well-being. Furthermore, obsessive passion, driven by internal or interpersonal pressure rather than autonomous choice, can cause a major to occupy an overpowering space in a student’s identity, leading to a direct conflict with other aspects of life.

The difference between productive challenge and constant burnout

A productive challenge is associated with harmonious passion, where a student autonomously internalizes their studies, leading to positive affect, life satisfaction, and vitality. In this state, “feeling a challenge” is actually a driver of intrinsic motivation and mastery. Conversely, constant burnout is characterized by high levels of stress and a lack of autonomy, which can flag interest when tasks become difficult. The absence of intrinsic motivation, when paired with high workplace stress, is a leading predictor of burnout.

Strengths vs. Weaknesses: You Don’t Have to Be Good at Everything

Why no major plays perfectly to every strength

Modern work is increasingly configured as a partnership between people, agents, and robots, meaning that the “perfect” major does not exist because the required skill sets are constantly shifting. Employers now expect a broader and more specialized mix of skills; for instance, the number of distinct skills associated with a single occupation has risen by nearly 20% in the last decade. Furthermore, high-wage jobs typically require a greater number of unique skills (over 90 in some cases), making it statistically unlikely for any one person to possess innate mastery over every facet of their chosen field. Even within a single discipline, such as software development, the specific skills required for different roles share fewer than half of their requirements, reflecting how technology drives extreme specialization that can outpace a student’s natural talent profile.

When it’s okay to choose a major despite a weakness

It is often acceptable to choose a major containing a weak area because skills are malleable and can be improved with strategic intervention. Research into social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) skills suggests that while “traits” refer to what you typically do, “skills” refer to your capacity for maximal performance, which can be specifically taught and learned within a classroom structure. Additionally, transferable skills—such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability—form the “connective tissue” of the labor market and can often compensate for a lack of specialized technical knowledge. If you have intrinsic motivation, you are more likely to view a weak area as a “productive challenge” rather than an insurmountable barrier.

When a weakness should be a serious red flag

A weakness becomes a critical red flag when it is coupled with a “fixed theory” of interest, where a student believes their capabilities are unchangeable and is therefore likely to surrender the pursuit as soon as challenges arise. Persistent misery and job burnout, marked by exhaustion and overwhelm, indicate a major may conflict with your personal values and life needs. Furthermore, if a weakness lies in a core “gatekeeper” area (such as math for quantitative majors) and leads to a lack of sense of belonging or feelings of alienation, it can result in a high probability of dropping out despite initial intentions.

Rule of thumb: You can grow skills

• Capacity vs. Proclivity: You may have a natural proclivity toward one area, but you have the capacity to “turn it on” and perform well in others when a high-stakes situation calls for it.
• Lifelong Learning: In a dynamic economy where 37% of job skills have been replaced in just five years, the ability to upskill is more important than your initial starting talent.

Rule of thumb: You can’t force long-term motivation

• Intrinsic Satisfaction: Enjoying your work increases job satisfaction by 46% and outlasts a high salary.
• The Passion Myth: You cannot force yourself to find a “pre-existing” passion; rather, purpose tends to emerge through the “doing” and mastery of a subject.
• Motivation as an Engine: While you can be tutored in a subject, you cannot be tutored into caring about it; if the work does not provide psychological rewards, the likelihood of long-term success and workplace wellbeing drops significantly.

What Do You Like?

What subjects actually hold your attention even when they get hard?

Interests vs. Passions: Let’s Clear This Up

Why “follow your passion” is misleading advice

The adage “find your passion” is well-intended but potentially destructive because it implies that passions are preformed and must simply be discovered. This “fixed theory” of interest carries hidden motivational implications: it suggests that once an interest resonates, pursuing it should be easy and provide limitless motivation. Research shows that when individuals with this mindset encounter inevitable challenges, they are more likely to surrender their interest, assuming that the difficulty is a signal that the subject was not their “true” passion after all. Furthermore, this advice can cause individuals to narrow their focus prematurely, neglecting other areas that could be important for future interdisciplinary innovation.

Consider three related dimensions of interest, enjoyment, curiosity, and long-term engagement, that together determine whether a subject will sustain your motivation through challenge and mastery.

• Enjoyment: In Western models, enjoyment is often used as a primary index of passion, but it can be fleeting and easily dissipated. For those with a fixed mindset, enjoyment often disappears as soon as material becomes technical, abstract, or challenging.
• Curiosity: Intellectual curiosity is considered a core pillar of academic performance, often equaling the impact of intelligence when combined with effort. It serves as the “spark” in the four-phase model of interest development, where an external stimulus (like an exciting lecture) initiates the engagement process.
• Long-term engagement: True engagement is a malleable quality that takes time and effort to develop. It is most sustainable when characterized as “harmonious passion,” where an individual autonomously internalizes an activity into their identity, leading to positive affect and vitality. Unlike a fleeting interest, long-term engagement is maintained by those who expect challenges and view difficulty as a natural part of the mastery process.

Why interests usually develop after exposure, not before

For most people, purpose and passion tend to emerge through the “doing” rather than preceding it. Purpose is rarely a pre-existing entity waiting to be liberated; instead, it is cultivated through investment, persistence, and the acquisition of skills. An example of this is seen in skilled workers who discover they love their work only after paying attention and achieving mastery in their craft. Educational structures, such as individualized degrees and undergraduate research, encourage this by providing structured cycles of exploration and reflection, allowing students to “get their hands dirty” before deciding if a field aligns with their values. Interests are often sparked by external exposure—such as a video or a mentor—and only become part of a person’s identity through a process of increased valuation and accrued knowledge.

What You Enjoy Learning vs. What You Enjoy Doing

Begin by asking whether you genuinely enjoy the work itself and would pursue it even without external praise.

• Do I like learning about this, or doing this regularly? It is vital to distinguish between a “state” (a temporary interest in a topic) and a “trait” (a stable, persisting preference for certain types of work). Vocational interests usually show dramatic increases in stability during the college years, making it a prime time to reflect on whether you enjoy the daily repetition of a field’s core tasks. For instance, a student may enjoy the theory of medicine but find they lack the fine motor skills or situational awareness required for the actual physical work of a practitioner.
• Would I still care about this if no one praised me for it? This question helps identify intrinsic motivation, which occurs when an individual engages in an activity for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction it brings rather than for external rewards like recognition, praise, or bonuses. Research shows that intrinsically motivated professionals have 46% higher job satisfaction. If your interest relies on external validation, it is likely extrinsic, which may lead to a lack of career fulfillment when the initial “spark” of academic praise fades in the face of workplace challenges.

Why liking a subject isn’t the same as liking the work it leads to

Students frequently choose their majors based on course enjoyment, which is often the primary determinant of their academic path. However, there is a distinct gap between the “learning” phase (academic inquiry) and the “doing” phase (professional application). While a subject may be fascinating to study, the Detailed Work Activities (DWAs) of the resulting career—the observable behaviors required to accomplish job objectives—may be entirely different from the tasks required to excel in the classroom. For example, academic success is often predicted by Information Processing Ability (IPA) and Verbal Aptitude, whereas career success may rely more heavily on Social and Emotional skills or Career Adaptability, which involves navigating ill-defined problems and traumas in occupational roles. Consequently, something that is “fun to study” may not be fulfilling if the daily work doesn’t utilize those same interests or if the career fails to meet one’s private life needs and personal values.

• Loving psychology vs. enjoying clinical or research work: A student may be intrigued by the inner workings of the human psyche in a classroom setting, but the actual work of a mental health professional requires high levels of emotional regulation and the ability to manage thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in others. Furthermore, while a psychology major focuses on theoretical knowledge, research work involves intense data entry and statistical validation, tasks that are increasingly becoming AI-led or shared with automated agents.

• Loving art vs. enjoying client-based creative work: Individuals with an Artistic interest profile typically prefer unstructured situations where they can use their imagination and creativity. However, professional client-based creative work often demands Conventional skills, such as paying attention to details, following through on instructions, and working within structured organizational goals. This shift from autonomous creation to meeting external client demands can lead to a conflict between one’s habitus (internalized dispositions) and the field (social space with its own logic), potentially resulting in job burnout.

Using Classes to Test Interests (Instead of Guessing)

Why intro classes are valuable signals

Introductory courses serve as a form of “trial-studying” or a “work sample” approach to academic and career paths. Rather than guessing based on general ideas, these classes allow you to sample behavior that is representative of the actual work required in a field. Research shows that the grade in your first course is a very strong predictor of your performance in the rest of the program and your long-term academic achievement. Furthermore, these classes provide an essential “self-selection” mechanism, helping you determine if you actually fit the program before committing to it long-term. In a sense, intro classes are the “ante in the lifelong learning game,” providing a realistic preview that helps you decide whether to proceed or pivot.

What to pay attention to beyond grades

• Do you keep thinking about the material after class? This indicates that an external spark—such as a lecture or reading—has transitioned into a deeper phase of interest development. Moving from a temporary “state” of curiosity to an internalized “trait” involves continually processing knowledge even when you are not required to do so. If the material persists in your thoughts, it suggests a move toward “harmonious passion,” where the study is integrated into your authentic identity.
• Do you ask questions out of curiosity? Intellectual curiosity is considered a core “pillar” of academic performance, and when combined with effort, it has been shown to equal the impact of intelligence on your success. Asking questions is a sign of active engagement, suggesting you are not merely a “passive vessel” for information but are actively building a knowledge system.
• Do assignments feel meaningful or draining? This distinction clarifies intrinsic motivation, defined as engaging in an activity for the inherent pleasure and fulfillment it provides. Meaningful work often provides psychological rewards, such as a sense of mastery or purpose, which can increase job satisfaction by up to 46%. If work feels constantly draining, it may be a sign of burnout or “obsessive passion,” where you feel a pressure to perform that is at odds with your personal values and well-being.

Why changing your mind is normal (and smart)

In today’s economy, career trajectories are rarely set in stone, and the ability to pivot is a vital survival skill. Technological shifts are so rapid that roughly 37% of job skills are replaced every five years, meaning you will likely need to go through several cycles of personal reinvention. Changing your major is often a sign of career adaptability—the capacity to solve ill-defined problems and navigate transitions in your occupational role.

Additionally, you carry transferable skills—such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking—with you regardless of your field. These skills form the “connective tissue” of the labor market, allowing you to move into new, often more people-centric positions that build on your existing strengths. Changing your mind after exposure to a field is an internally guided decision that ensures your path remains grounded and purposeful rather than just following outdated assumptions.

Hobbies, Curiosity, and Side Interests

Consider whether the activity would still energize you under real-world deadlines and expectations, and whether you want it as a career or simply as a personal outlet.

• Would I still enjoy this with deadlines and expectations? This question helps determine if you possess “harmonious passion,” where you autonomously internalize an activity and freely choose to engage in it, or if external requirements will turn it into a controlled, defensive pursuit. It also clarifies whether your drive is intrinsic (driven by the task itself) or extrinsic (driven by the need for praise or rewards), which is critical because extrinsic motives often only cater to short-term goals.
• Do I want this to be my job, or my outlet? True career fulfillment requires work to be compatible with both personal values and private life needs; if an activity is your main way to manage stress, making it a “job” may remove your ability to recharge.

When hobbies should influence your major choice

Hobbies are often the most direct indicators of your interest profile which describe how people seek out work environments that match their personality types. When an academic major aligns with these natural interests, whether they are Realistic (doing), Investigative (thinking), or Artistic (creating), students typically experience greater job satisfaction and long-term engagement. Furthermore, hobbies are frequently fueled by intrinsic motivation, meaning they are performed for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction they provide. Because intrinsically motivated professionals report 46% higher job satisfaction, a hobby that you find inherently interesting can serve as a powerful engine for a successful career. However, this influence is most effective when combined with a “growth theory” of interest, where you view the hobby as a “spark” that must be cultivated through investment and persistence rather than a preformed passion that should always be easy.

When hobbies are better kept separate from your career

Turning a hobby into a career can be problematic if the transition leads to “obsessive passion,” where the activity begins to occupy an overwhelming space in your identity and creates conflict with other life domains. While a hobby serves as an autonomous outlet, a career often involves extrinsic pressures, such as social acceptance or interpersonal demands, which can turn an enjoyable pursuit into a source of anxiety. Additionally, in some cultural contexts, particularly collectivistic societies, achievement is often fueled by meeting family expectations and social obligations rather than personal “passion” or hobbies. In these instances, keeping a hobby as a separate outlet allows for the fulfillment of social duties while maintaining a personal space for well-being and recharging.

The danger of turning everything you love into work

The primary danger of turning every “love” into work is the potential for interest to flag when challenges arise. Research suggests that individuals who believe passions are “found” (a fixed theory) often anticipate limitless motivation and are more likely to give up when they encounter the inevitable difficulties of a professional environment. In contrast, purpose often emerges through the “doing” and the achievement of mastery rather than preceding the work itself. When an activity is professionalized, the introduction of extrinsic rewards—like money, rankings, and bonuses—can sometimes overshadow the original psychological rewards, leading to a decline in the sustained, profound sense of fulfillment that intrinsic motivation provides. This can result in job burnout, a state of being exhausted and overwhelmed that significantly decreases effectiveness and overall life satisfaction.

What Are Your Career and Education Goals?

What do you want your major to prepare you for in long run?

Decide whether you value stability or variety, what kinds of work energize you, and whether you want a clear career ladder or an open-ended path before choosing a major.

• Do I want stability or variety? Job stability is linked to reduced anxiety, yet choosing a path strictly based on perceived stability involves guesswork, as it is difficult to predict which fields will show the greatest demand in the future. While narrow technical training may provide a quicker start, a broad education offers the variety and flexibility needed to navigate multiple career changes throughout a working life.
• Do I want clear career ladders or open-ended paths? Traditional hierarchical structures once offered clear career ladders, but modern career paths are increasingly non-linear and open-ended. An individualized or liberal arts degree can serve as a launchpad for an open-ended path, providing the foundation to integrate diverse interests and pivot as new roles and industries become compelling. Conversely, those seeking clear ladders may prefer highly specialized, regulated fields like medicine or law, where advanced degrees are tied to sharply higher earnings growth at later stages of the career.

What Kind of Career Are You Aiming For?

The difference between a specific job title, a general field, and a set of skills

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for navigating a modern workforce where occupations are defined by their underlying tasks and activities. A specific job title (e.g., insurance sales agent or data scientist) is often a temporary designation that may share a significant number of requirements with many other titles. A general field refers to broad segments of economic activity, such as finance, healthcare, or production services, which contain various roles that utilize different levels of technology and human interaction. In contrast, a set of skills represents the knowledge and competencies used to perform work, acting as the essential building blocks of productivity. While job titles can become obsolete, transferable skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership, form the “connective tissue” of the labor market, allowing individuals to move across different titles and fields.

Why flexibility matters more than locking in a single job

In the 21st-century economy, career trajectories are rarely set in stone due to rapid technological shifts, automation, and industry restructuring. Research suggests that specialized technical or vocational skills are often valuable immediately but can become obsolete as the technical frontier advances. Because a college graduate can expect to hold multiple distinct jobs before the age of 50, the ability to sustain work depends on career adaptability—the psychosocial capacity to solve unfamiliar, complex, and ill-defined problems presented by vocational transitions. Individuals who focus on a broad grounding in general education are often more likely to take on new job roles over time, leading to longer tenures in the labor market and a greater ability to develop new skills as needed. Furthermore, in a world where work is a partnership between people, agents, and robots, the most resilient workers are those who can adapt their human capabilities to add value to evolving AI systems.

How Much Education Will You Actually Need?

Before committing to graduate school, weigh whether you’re willing to spend extra years in school, handle the financial and time costs, and expect a career payoff that justifies the investment.

• Am I willing to stay in school longer? Staying in school for an advanced degree often means negative cumulative returns in your 20s. You must decide if you are prepared to delay your entry into the non-temporary workforce, keeping in mind that it can take 15 years post-degree to firmly establish a career or achieve tenure.
• Can I handle the cost and time commitment? With the average student loan balance at graduation reaching $37,650 in 2023, the investment is substantial. You must weigh the “once-and-done” education model against the reality that 37% of job skills are replaced every five years, potentially requiring you to upskill or reinvint yourself multiple times anyway.
• Does the career payoff justify it? While a college degree generally offsets its cost 2 to 23 times over a lifetime, the “premium” is increasingly concentrated in a small number of fields. If your chosen field has a narrow “earnings spread,” a graduate degree may provide general knowledge but not the high-wage specialization needed to recoup the cost of the degree.

Majors that often require graduate school

For several career paths, a graduate or professional degree is not just an advantage but a requirement for entry. Medicine, Dentistry, and Law are the most prominent examples, where the highest earnings gains are tied to advanced credentials. In the humanities and arts, students are also significantly more likely to plan for graduate study as a necessary step to secure high-paying jobs that their undergraduate degree alone may not provide. Additionally, in specialized scientific fields like biomedical sciences, a Ph.D. is traditionally seen as the gateway to research and leadership, although data shows that 57% of these doctoral recipients eventually pursue non-academic careers in industry or government.

Majors that are typically employable with a bachelor’s degree

Certain undergraduate degrees offer a direct and lucrative pathway to the workforce immediately upon graduation.

• Engineering and Computer Science: These fields report the lowest levels of major regret and the highest satisfaction because students often find well-paying jobs directly out of college.
• Business: A bachelor’s in business remains one of the most reliable credentials for immediate employment and high lifetime earnings.
• Health Sciences and Nursing: These majors have the lowest risk of underemployment due to clear licensing standards and direct institutional pathways to jobs.
• Quantitative STEM Fields: Graduates in these areas are less likely to regret their choice because their skills are in high demand and translate to high initial salaries.

When grad school is a smart investment and when it’s not

• A smart investment: Graduate school provides a massive “payoff” in professional fields. For men, an advanced degree in law or medicine/dentistry is associated with sharply higher earnings that easily justify the initial cost. For women, a graduate degree in education is particularly strategic; it not only increases annual salary but significantly raises the likelihood of staying in the labor market over a lifetime, resulting in over $500,000 in additional lifetime earnings compared to a BA only.
• When it may not be: Surprisingly, for liberal arts, humanities, and architecture majors, the financial return to graduate education can be negative compared to a bachelor’s degree in the same field. This is primarily due to the “forgone earnings” during the years spent in school; those who earn advanced degrees in these fields often have much lower incomes in their 20s and 30s than their peers who entered the workforce with a BA, and they may never fully catch up financially.

Job Stability, Income, and Reality Checks

Why income matters but should not be the only factor

Income is a critical factor in major choice because the median college graduate earns approximately $33,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma, totaling an additional $1.3 million over a career. Given that the average student loan balance was $37,650 in 2023, colleges have a responsibility to ensure graduates can at least manage their debt and achieve financial security. However, income is not the sole determinant of success; research identifies purpose—defined as liking what you do and learning something interesting daily—as the most important element for overall well-being. Pursuing a major strictly for money can lead to “obsessive passion,” which conflicts with other life domains, whereas “harmonious passion” is linked to higher workplace well-being and reduced anxiety.

The difference between early-career pay and long-term growth

While STEM and business majors typically offer the highest early-career earnings, the financial landscape can shift over a 20-year trajectory. Private institutions often show higher starting salaries, but public universities frequently offer a better long-term return on investment (ROI) due to lower initial tuition costs. Research suggests that liberal arts majors often catch up to their career-major peers a decade after graduation as the “soft skills” they acquired—such as clear communication and critical thinking—become increasingly valuable in management and leadership roles. Furthermore, certain professional fields like law and medicine exhibit steep earnings growth at much later stages of a career, while an advanced degree in education for women significantly increases the likelihood of staying in the labor market over a lifetime.

Why some majors feel riskier than others

Risk in a major is often measured by graduate regret and the “stickiness” of underemployment. Journalism (87%), Sociology (72%), and Liberal Arts (72%) are among the most regretted majors, primarily due to limited job prospects and lower salaries. In contrast, quantitative fields like Engineering and Computer Science report the lowest levels of regret because they offer specialized skills that translate directly into high-wage positions. Additionally, some majors are considered “riskier” because they do not have a clear licensing standard or direct institutional pathway to a job, which is why health majors have one-third the rate of underemployment compared to criminal justice majors.

Weigh three practical labor‑market realities—job availability, geographic fit, and how automation will shape long‑term demand—before choosing a major.

• Job availability: Current data shows a significant “skills gap,” where more than half of college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, working in roles that do not require a degree. This is a major reality check because underemployment is highly “sticky”; three-quarters of graduates who are underemployed in their first year remain so a decade later.
• Geographic flexibility: Graduates must recognize that all jobs are local, meaning the value of a specific degree can fluctuate based on regional demand. For example, a specialized major in video game design may offer high stability in Los Angeles but very little in a rural community. Surprisingly, many graduates exhibit low geographic mobility, with over 50% of doctoral alumni remaining in the state where they received their training.
• Automation and long-term demand: The modern workforce is shifting toward a partnership between people, agents, and robots, with technology theoretically able to automate 57% of current work hours. Digital and information-processing skills face the highest risk of disruption, while interpersonal skills such as negotiation, coaching, and empathy-based care are likely to endure. To stay relevant, students should prioritize AI fluency, as demand for the ability to use and manage AI tools has grown sevenfold in just two years. Because 37% of job skills are replaced every five years, the most stable career path is one built on a foundation of transferable skills and a commitment to lifelong learning.

What Do You Want Your Life to Look Like?

Lifestyle questions most students forget to ask

When choosing a path, students often focus on the subject matter of a major rather than the daily reality of the life it creates. Beyond just earning a living, it is essential to consider how a career will intersect with your personal values and private life needs. Important questions include whether a career allows for autonomy, competence, and relatedness—the three needs identified by self-determination theory that drive long-term engagement and well-being. Furthermore, students should consider the “stickiness” of underemployment; data shows that if you start in a job that doesn’t require a degree, you are 75% likely to still be underemployed a decade later, which can have a long-term draining effect on your life satisfaction and earnings.

Work hours and stress levels

The intensity of a career can lead to job burnout, a state of being exhausted and overwhelmed that decreases effectiveness and negatively impacts retention. Research distinguishes between harmonious passion, where you freely choose to engage in work that remains in harmony with other life domains, and obsessive passion, which occupies an overpowering space in your identity and creates constant conflict with family and personal time. While AI may theoretically automate over 50% of work hours, this is expected to shift the content of work rather than eliminate it; for many, this means spending less time on routine document preparation and more on higher-order tasks like framing questions and interpreting results, which may change the type of cognitive stress experienced.

Schedule flexibility

Modern workplaces are undergoing a “dramatic evolution” where the traditional nine-to-five office culture is increasingly seen as obsolete. Flexible work arrangements, including the freedom to work from home or pursue hybrid models, are now recognized for their positive impact on staff well-being and productivity. When planning a career, it is vital to know if a field allows for this flexibility or if it requires a “physical presence,” such as in healthcare or construction, where fine motor skills and situational awareness are still beyond the reach of reliable automation.

Location constraints

A critical reality check for any major choice is that “all jobs are local”. The value of a specialized degree—like video game design—varies wildly depending on whether you live in a hub like Los Angeles or a rural community. Furthermore, despite the perception of global mobility, longitudinal data shows that over 50% of doctoral alumni stay in the state where they received their training, suggesting that your choice of school and major may tether you to a specific region more than you expect.

Why “liking your job” isn’t the same as liking your life

Career fulfillment occurs only when your work is compatible with your broader life goals. While liking your daily tasks is important, overall life satisfaction is also closely tied to income level; high life satisfaction is reported by 73% of those earning over $100k, compared to only 41% for those earning less than $25k. However, the most successful professionals define success on their own terms, which may involve finding a balance to enjoy family life or contributing to sustainable innovations rather than just achieving hierarchical promotions. Ultimately, a job only accounts for roughly 45% of your waking hours, and true fulfillment requires that the remaining 55%—your leisure and unpaid life—is supported rather than drained by your professional choices.

Putting It All Together: Choosing a Major That Actually Fits You

By now, one thing should be clear: choosing a major isn’t about finding a magic answer. It’s about making a reasonable, informed choice based on who you are, what you enjoy, and where you want to go.

When students regret their major, it’s rarely because they picked “the wrong subject.” It’s usually because they chose without thinking through one of the three big pieces:

• Their strengths

• Their interests

• Their long-term goals

When all three line up—even imperfectly—college tends to feel more manageable, and the future feels less stressful.

The Three-Question Check (Use This Before You Decide)

Before committing to a major, pause and ask yourself these three questions. You don’t need perfect answers. You just need honest ones.

1. Can I handle this academically?

• Do I have (or can I realistically build) the skills this major requires?

• Am I prepared for the workload and level of difficulty?

• Will this challenge me without breaking me?

2. Do I actually care about this subject?

• Am I interested enough to stick with it when it gets hard?

• Do I find the material engaging, not just impressive?

• Would I still choose this if no one else had an opinion?

3. Does this support the future I want?

• Does this major prepare me for the kind of career I’m aiming for?

• Do I understand the education, training, or experience required after college?

• Can I live with the trade-offs that come with this path?

If you can say “yes” or “mostly yes” to all three, you’re probably on solid ground.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Regret

A lot of students don’t regret their major because of the subject itself—they regret how they chose it. Try to avoid these traps:

• Choosing a major just because you’re good at it
  Being good at something doesn’t mean you want to do it every day.

• Choosing a major just because you like it
  Enjoyment matters, but ignoring career realities can lead to stress later.

• Choosing a major to please someone else
  Parents, friends, and advisors mean well—but you’re the one who has to live with the decision.

• Sticking with a major out of fear
  Changing direction early is usually smarter than forcing yourself through years of misery.

None of these make you lazy or indecisive. They just mean you’re human.

If You’re Still Unsure, That’s Okay

A lot of students feel pressure to have everything figured out right away. That pressure is unrealistic.

Being undecided doesn’t mean you’re behind. It means you’re still learning about yourself.

If you’re unsure:

• Use your early classes to explore, not just fulfill requirements

• Pay attention to how different subjects feel, not just how you perform

• Talk to people who are actually working in fields you’re curious about

Clarity usually comes from experience, not overthinking.

One Last Thing to Remember

Your major is a starting point, not a life sentence.

It shapes your early opportunities, but it doesn’t define your entire future. Skills transfer. Interests evolve. Careers change. What matters most is that you choose a path you understand—and one you’re willing to put real effort into.

If you approach your education with curiosity, self-awareness, and a willingness to adapt, you’re already doing better than most.

And that’s the real grind.