Most Popular Majors/Degrees

See the tables below for the most popular programs by degree level.

Bachelor’s degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions, by field of study 2017-2018

Field of studyDegrees
Business386,201
Health professions and related programs244,909
Social sciences and history159,967
Engineering121,956
Biological and biomedical sciences118,663
Psychology116,432
Communication, journalism, and related programs92,290
Visual and performing arts88,582
Education82,621
Computer and information sciences79,598
Homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting58,114
Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies53,883
Multi/interdisciplinary studies51,909
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities44,262
English language and literature/letters40,002
Agriculture and natural resources39,314
Public administration and social services35,629
Physical sciences and science technologies31,542
Mathematics and statistics25,256
Family and consumer sciences/human sciences24,349
Engineering technologies18,727
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics16,958
Philosophy and religious studies9,603
Theology and religious vocations9,521
Architecture and related services8,464
Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies7,717
Transportation and materials moving4,924
Legal professions and studies4,239
Communications technologies4,231
Military technologies and applied sciences655
Library science81
Precision production45
Not classified by field of study0
Total1,980,644

Master’s degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions, by field of study 2017-2018

Field of studyDegrees
Business192,184
Education146,367
Health professions and related programs125,216
Engineering51,721
Computer and information sciences46,468
Public administration and social services46,294
Psychology27,841
Social sciences and history19,884
Visual and performing arts17,686
Biological and biomedical sciences17,180
Theology and religious vocations13,828
Mathematics and statistics10,443
Homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting10,293
Communication, journalism, and related programs10,243
Multi/interdisciplinary studies10,175
Legal professions and studies9,177
Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies9,005
English language and literature/letters8,300
Architecture and related services7,317
Engineering technologies7,247
Physical sciences and science technologies7,196
Agriculture and natural resources6,967
Library science4,953
Family and consumer sciences/human sciences3,308
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics3,261
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities2,473
Philosophy and religious studies1,692
Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies1,673
Transportation and materials moving815
Communications technologies529
Military technologies and applied sciences355
Precision production11
Not classified by field of study0
Total820,102

Doctor degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions, by field of study 2017-2018

Field of study2017-18
Health professions and related programs80,305
Legal professions and studies34,544
Education12,780
Engineering10,817
Biological and biomedical sciences8,222
Psychology6,275
Physical sciences and science technologies6,181
Social sciences and history4,676
Business3,338
Theology and religious vocations2,023
Computer and information sciences2,017
Mathematics and statistics2,010
Visual and performing arts1,759
Agriculture and natural resources1,496
English language and literature/letters1,295
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics1,213
Public administration and social services1,157
Multi/interdisciplinary studies850
Philosophy and religious studies768
Communication, journalism, and related programs666
Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies335
Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies298
Family and consumer sciences/human sciences274
Architecture and related services250
Engineering technologies212
Homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting150
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities93
Library science54
Transportation and materials moving16
Communications technologies0
Not classified by field of study0
Total184,074

US Department of Education