The Top 10 College Majors
Business majors dominate American higher education with 5.37% of all four-year students, while engineering and computer science graduates command the highest starting salaries at $78,731 and $76,251 respectively. As Fall 2024 enrollment data reveals a 4.5% overall increase in college attendance—the strongest growth since the pandemic—students are making strategic choices that balance passion with financial security.
According to the latest data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Winter 2025 Salary Survey, the college major landscape shows clear winners and losers. While STEM fields continue their dominance with robust salary growth, social sciences face a concerning 3.6% salary decrease for the Class of 2025—the first negative projection in recent history.
This comprehensive analysis examines the 10 most popular majors based on Fall 2024 enrollment data and 2025 salary projections, providing prospective students with the most current information to make informed educational decisions.