What makes a college major popular?
Although everyone has their own reasons for earning a specific degree, there are some common qualities that attract more students to these most popular majors, including:
- High salary and competitive benefits.
- Industry growth and development.
- Plentiful opportunities for entry-level employees.
- The need to earn a specific degree to advance on a career path.
For example, job growth in the field of computer science is expected to grow 23% from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s much faster than the average compared to all other fields. And, as of May 2022, the median annual salary for these roles was $136,620.
The 10 most popular ASU Online majors
These are ASU Online’s 10 most popular bachelor’s programs, as determined by enrollment statistics from academic year 2023.
1. Bachelor of Science in information technology
Information technology plays a pivotal role in ensuring organizations are connected, efficient and able to reliably and securely store, retrieve and send information. An information technology degree can open doors to career options where you can design, implement and administer computer-based information solutions.
ASU Online’s program is ABET accredited, which signifies that the knowledge and talents you can develop will be relevant, applicable and high quality. This computer science program emphasizes long-term career growth, preparing you to build upon your professional experiences and take on leadership roles in the future.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow at a faster than average rate of 15% from 2022 to 2032, with a median annual salary of $164,070 as of May 2022.
2. Bachelor of Arts in psychology
The Bachelor of Arts in psychology supports those who want to pursue this degree for advocacy reasons or to develop a deeper understanding of mental health. It also helps build broadly applicable skills in areas including:
- Communication and writing.
- Critical thinking.
- Qualitative and quantitative research.
After earning this social science degree, you can assist in psychological research or continue your studies with a master’s degree and doctorate. Graduates also work in a variety of fields where strong knowledge of human behavior is valuable, such as business, social work, law and medicine.
3. Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies
The Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies is a flexible degree that can benefit graduates across a variety of disciplines. In fact, you can tailor your learning experience by choosing courses from more than 20 disciplines that fit your personal interests. With only two core courses throughout the entire program, this is the ideal program if you’re undecided on a specific path and want to gain an interdisciplinary skillset.
Some of the industries liberal studies majors find roles in after graduating include:
- Administration.
- Human resources.
- Local government.
- Management.
- Public relations.
- Social services.
- Urban planning.
4. Bachelor of Science in biological sciences
The Bachelor of Science in biological sciences is a great choice for those with a general interest in biology. You’ll explore topics such as genetic and environmental causes of diversity, how organisms evolve and how these factors influence health and disease.
If you’d like to specialize further, this degree is offered with the following concentrations:
- Biology and society
- Biomedical sciences
- Conservation biology and ecology
- Genetics, cell and developmental biology
The curriculum for this biological sciences major also addresses important requirements for learners who want to meet premed student qualifications, take the MCAT or apply to graduate programs in biological sciences or other science-related disciplines.
5. Bachelor of Arts in business with a concentration in business administration
Management and leadership skills are broadly application talents that fulfill core needs for almost every business. By completing this business administration degree concentration, you can develop relevant skills across various industries, including:
- Demand forecasting.
- Financial strategy.
- Inventory planning.
- Negotiation.
- Purchasing of services.
- Strategy development.
This degree will support your efforts to compete for a high-paying role with opportunities for growth. You’ll have the skills to excel in roles of authority, such as a manager or entrepreneur. You can also work in any industry with customers, employees, suppliers or stakeholders from various levels of policy and government.
According to the BLS, employment in administrative services management is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032 and has a median annual salary of $101,870 as of May 2022.
6. Bachelor of Science in software engineering
As technology continues to play increasingly important roles for individuals, businesses and governments, software engineers will support continued innovation and development in this field. For the related roles of software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers, the BLS projects employment growth of an impressive 25% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than average for all other occupations.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in software engineering can prepare you for careers related to software development, administration and deployment, and other options in the technology industry. The project-based curriculum helps to build knowledge of theory and practical skills that will guide and support your goals. Plus, the program’s ABET accreditation demonstrates the quality of educational standards that can support positive career outcomes.
7. Bachelor of Science in Engineering in electrical engineering
Electrical engineers are experts in creating, testing and supervising the production of electrical systems in everything from vehicles to medical and communication equipment. After earning a BSE in electrical engineering, you can compete for a variety of roles related to this field and help solve complex engineering problems.
The degree is provided by the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, which was ranked as one of the top 25 ABET-accredited engineering schools in the nation. Accreditation from ABET, which certifies postsecondary programs in engineering and science, is a sign of quality.