Navigating the Maze: Finding the Right College Degree Path for You

Choosing a college major is a significant decision that can impact your future career path and earning potential. While there's no such thing as an universally "easy" bachelor's degree, some majors may be less rigorous than others, depending on your individual strengths, interests, and skills. This article explores various factors to consider when selecting a major and highlights some options that are often perceived as less demanding, while still offering valuable skills and career opportunities.

Dispelling the Myth of the "Easy" Degree

Before diving into specific majors, it's crucial to understand that "easy" is subjective. What one person finds simple, another might find challenging. Moreover, every major and institution has its own level of academic rigor. A study by Cornell University indicated that science majors tend to have lower average GPAs, while certain majors, often considered "easier," boast higher GPAs. Ultimately, the best major is one that aligns with your aptitudes and passions.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a College Major

Several factors can help you determine which college major is the best fit for you:

Interests and Skills: Do the courses interest you? Do you have a natural talent in the field? Your strengths, weaknesses, and interests will determine how hard you find various college majors.
Workload and Study Time: How much time do you want to spend studying?
Career Options: What career options will be available to you after graduating?
Financial Prospects: What are your financial prospects with this major? Consider using return on investment (ROI) as a tie-breaker.

Exploring "Easier" College Majors

The majors listed below are often thought of as less rigorous because, as a student, you can usually tailor these studies to your strengths and interests. They additionally focus on soft skills, unique ways of thinking, and quantitative analysis over qualitative methods.

Applied Health Sciences

Interested in healthcare but not seeking to become a doctor? Then, an applied health sciences major might be a great choice for you. Applied health sciences is a multidisciplinary field concentrated on health outcomes and quality of life. In this major, students learn some science and technology skills but focus most on developing innovative strategies for hands-on care. Unlike the pre-med track, applied health sciences does not typically require advanced knowledge of chemistry and other sciences. It may require a general understanding of anatomy and physiology but mostly demands strong people skills.

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships

Popular Jobs for Applied Health Sciences Majors:

Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Dietitians or Nutritionist
Medical and Health Services Managers
Physical Therapist Assistant
Respiratory Therapist

Anthropology

Anthropology is concerned with the study of humanity, and how our understanding of the past affects our understanding of the present and future. It's also a major that will earn you some raised eyebrows about career prospects. Never fear-even if you’re not interested in becoming a full-blown anthropologist or archeologist, there are plenty of sectors that welcome anthropology majors with open arms, like government, nonprofit, and business. In addition, many go on to jobs related to diversity or social justice. Expect to take courses in ethnicity and identity, human behavior, linguistics, and philosophy.

Popular Jobs for Anthropology Graduates:

Fundraising Manager
Museum Worker
Market Research Analyst
Community Service Manager
Environmental Engineer

Business Administration

As the most popular college major since 1980, business encompasses a variety of sub-disciplines, such as finance, accounting, and marketing. It's also considered to be one of the easiest college majors. With a business degree, you could also work in fields like healthcare, human resources, or public administration. (Really, there’s not much that isn’t available to you.) During college, you’ll likely take foundational courses in communications, economics, and business management before concentrating in a particular specialty, like international business or entrepreneurship.

Popular Jobs for Business Majors:

Accountant or Auditor
Budget Analyst
Financial Analyst
Market Research Analyst
Project Management Specialist

Communications

Like many of the other easiest majors in college, communications will provide you with a strong foundation for a number of different career paths, such as marketing, public relations, or sales. In essence, you’ll learn how to effectively communicate via writing, speaking, and other forms of media (such as video production). As an undergraduate, you can expect to take courses in professional writing, media communications, and public speaking.

Popular Jobs for Communications Graduates:

Editor
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
Reporter or Journalist
Technical Writer

Creative Writing

If you’ve got a way with words, a bachelor’s in creative writing will definitely feel like one of the easiest online degrees. Throughout a creative writing bachelor’s, you’ll hone essential reading, writing, and critical thinking skills while encountering classes like the craft of writing fiction, fundamentals of creative reading, and literature and the environment. Alongside writing careers, graduates often find jobs where effective communication is paramount.

Popular Jobs for Creative Writing Graduates:

Writer
Technical Writer
Editor
Journalist
Public Relations Specialist

Criminal Justice

Although typically considered to be one of the easiest college majors, criminal justice majors often have their sights set on difficult career paths in police work or corrections. However, there are many additional (and lucrative) career paths available in law, forensic psychology, and information analysis. Undergraduates may need to choose a specialty, like law enforcement or cybercrime. However, in general, you’ll learn about the criminal justice system and its related social issues and community impact. Courses could include those in criminology, crisis intervention, and public policy.

Popular Jobs for Criminal Justice Graduates:

Police and Detectives
Correctional Officer
Emergency Management Director
Private Investigator
Probation Officer

Education

While teachers encounter their fair share of professional challenges, their academic pathway is often easier than most. A bachelor’s in education introduces the theoretical and practical knowledge that educators rely on, and you’ll likely complete courses like educational foundations, childhood development, and elementary reading methods. Typical careers for education grads include teachers, administrators, and instructional coordinators.

Popular Jobs for Education Graduates:

Elementary School Teacher
Middle School Teacher
High School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Career and Technical Education Teacher

English

If English majors had a dollar for every time they heard “so what are you going to do with that?” they’d have insanely enviable bank accounts. However, English majors actually manage quite well long-term (average lifetime ROI is 169.8%). They have many options available to them in a variety of sectors, from teaching to law to healthcare. As an English major, you can expect to take multiple courses in literature-which may include survey courses as well as specialized topics that focus on a particular theme or writer. Many of your assignments will require in-depth literary analysis.

Popular Jobs for English Graduates:

Advertising or Marketing Manager
High School Teacher
Librarian and Library Media Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
Writer or Author

General Studies

Students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree but are unsure what to pursue may find a general studies major to be a good fit. General studies allow you to explore sciences, humanities, and arts to develop a diverse set of skills like: However, general studies could be challenging if you find it difficult to focus on multiple subject areas at once and would prefer a more specialized educational path.

Popular Jobs for General Studies Majors:

Human Resources Manager
Tax Examiner or Collector
Museum Technician
Middle School Teacher
Arbitrator or Mediator

Health Sciences

If you’re comfortable with business and leadership coursework and want to work in healthcare, a health sciences degree is a solid option. Often leading to careers in areas like public health and healthcare administration, health sciences students complete courses like healthcare delivery, leading change, and introduction to public health.

Popular Jobs for Health Sciences Graduates:

Clinical Laboratory Tech
Health Services Manager
Health Information Technologist
Medical Records Specialist
Manufacturing Sales Representative

History

Like other humanities degrees, a bachelor’s in history allows you to develop marketable skills in research and writing. If you’re interested in history, research, and writing, this degree shouldn’t be too challenging. Throughout your bachelor’s in history, you’ll complete courses in various historical areas, including American, European, and ancient history. Many students also use this degree as preparation for graduate-level study.

Popular Jobs for History Graduates:

Museum Worker
Paralegal
High School Teacher
Editor
Writer

Humanities

Another one of the easiest online degrees, a bachelor’s in humanities is an interdisciplinary track that covers areas like history, philosophy, religion, and literature. Similar to other degrees on this list, you’ll develop effective communication, critical thinking, and research skills that apply to countless professional fields. Many humanities graduates go on to complete graduate-level degrees.

Popular Jobs for Humanities Graduates:

Writer
Human Resources Manager
Market Research Analyst
Technical Writer
Public Relations Specialist

Liberal Arts

Similar to a general humanities degree, a bachelor of liberal arts is an interdisciplinary track that covers art, humanities, social science, and math coursework. These programs allow you to craft a curriculum that mirrors your academic and career goals. Common classes include diverse topics such as introduction to computer science, introduction to psychology, and composition.

Popular Jobs for Liberal Arts Graduates:

Public Relations Specialist
Paralegal
Journalist
Community Service Manager
Project Management Specialist

Linguistics

In a linguistics program, you’ll learn how language works by exploring the structure, use, and development of languages around the world. If you’re culturally curious and love languages, consider a bachelor’s in linguistics. You’ll tackle classes such as the philosophy of language, indigenous languages of Latin America, and the linguistics of contemporary English.

Popular Jobs for Linguistics Graduates:

Translator
ESL Teacher
High School Teacher
Training and Development Specialist
Human Resources Specialist

Music

If you’re musically inclined and passionate about the field, a bachelor’s in music shouldn’t be especially challenging. Throughout your bachelor’s in music, you’ll tackle courses in music theory, performance, and history. Upon graduation, music majors commonly work as teachers, performers, and for various music-related organizations.

Popular Jobs for Music Graduates:

Musician
Music Director
High School Teacher
Preschool Teacher
Fundraising Manager

Psychology

Psychology is a great choice for students interested in working with people and helping them better understand themselves and their emotions. As a psychology major, you will be able to interact with many different types of people and study human behaviors and how we interact with the world. One of the greatest benefits of this field of study is the vast amount of transferable skills students can gain. Psychology majors often go on to attend law school, work in social services, or lead market research teams.

Popular Jobs for Psychology Graduates:

Clinical or Counseling Psychologists
Market Research Analyst
School Psychologist
Social Worker
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Religious Studies

Another one of the easiest online degrees, a bachelors in theology or religious studies can open up careers both inside and outside religious institutions. Throughout your online religious studies degree, you’ll complete classes such as biblical studies, theological history, and principles of ministry. Some schools also offer concentrations in areas like ministry administration, pastoral counseling, and religious education.

Popular Jobs for Religious Studies Graduates:

Clergy
Social Service Manager
Social Worker
Facilities Manager
Preschool Teacher

Social Work

If you’re interested in a career helping others but want a low-stress degree, social work is a solid choice. During a bachelor’s in social work, you’ll gain the knowledge and hone the skills essential to competent and compassionate social work. In addition to core social work classes, many schools offer specializations in areas like community advocacy, aging, public health, mental health and substance misuse.

Popular Jobs for Social Work Graduates:

Social Worker
Community Health Worker
Correctional Treatment Specialist
Community Service Manager
Human Services Assistant

Sociology

Sociology explores human behavior and social institutions. As a sociology major, you can gain analytical and critical thinking skills, and have the chance to explore subjects like family sociology, organizational behavior, and social inequality. Graduates can pursue careers in business, marketing, human resources, and community services.

Popular Jobs for Sociology Graduates:

Career Counselor
Human Resources Specialist
College Professor
Sociologist
Urban Planner

Online Degrees: An Easier Path?

Online degrees are not necessarily easier than on-campus degrees. The curriculum for an online degree is often the exact same as the on-campus curriculum. Online programs can offer students convenience and flexibility. However, they also come with the normal stressors of school deadlines, coursework, and exams like in-person programs do.

Alternative Options: Associate Degrees and Undergraduate Certificates

While an associate degree is a great option for many, not everyone needs a full-fledged degree or has the time to dedicate to one. A good alternative is getting an undergraduate certificate. When time isn’t on your side, this is a quick way to get additional education to help you get ahead.

Uncommon Majors: A Different Route

Just because a major is “uncommon,” it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it as a viable option. Some areas of study, such as Artificial Intelligence or Precision Production, are simply limited because most colleges don’t offer them. These two majors teach you valuable skills that can be applied to a number of different careers. Another “unpopular” major is Library Science.

STEM Fields: The Road Less Traveled

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, for example, have a reputation for demanding coursework and complex curricula. These fields of study also have strict qualifications for acceptance.

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