We’ve previously talked about the most common majors among recently graduated undergraduate students in the United States, but what about uncommon majors? Using the data published by the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) for 2020-2021, we’ve put together a list of 10 of the least popular majors! Keep reading to find out which areas of study are the road less traveled, plus get some insight into potential careers, their median salaries, and projected growth between 2022 and 2032.
Andrew Horne via Wikimedia Commons
Why Are Some Majors “Uncommon?”
College Majors can be uncommon for a number of reasons, including:
- Limited career demand. If there are fewer career opportunities in a given field, fewer students will pursue that related major.
- Niche interest areas. Some areas of study only appeal to a select number of students with specific interests. For example, although History is a common major, Medieval Studies is less common as it requires a specialized passion.
- Emerging fields. Some majors are new, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). As a result, not many schools offer them and most colleges are unaware they can pursue a degree in that specific field.
- Limited offer. There are majors that require significant resources, specialized equipment, or access to certain locations. Not all colleges will be able to meet these demands, so the area of study is less common as a result. For example, Nautical Archaeology or Marine Archaeology require specialized equipment and access to sites.
10 Most Uncommon Majors
1. PRECISION PRODUCTION
Only 28 students graduated in 2020-21 with a degree in Precision Production! This area of study focuses on giving students technical knowledge and skills to work on certain products such as mattresses, furniture, automobile seats, and others. Students will take courses on various machinery and tools, math, production processes, design, and similar subjects.
Some career options with a degree in Precision Production include
- Machinist
- Median salary: $50,000
- Projected job growth: 1.9%
- Degree required: High school diploma
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter
- Median salary: $43,000
- Projected job growth: -1.9%
- Degree required: High school diploma
- Carpenter
- Median salary: $56,000
- Projected job growth: 0.9%
- Degree required: High school diploma
2. LIBRARY SCIENCE
Library science majors acquire skills that will help them organize, store, administer, and use a variety of different collections in print, audiovisual, and electronic formats. Many students who study this as an undergraduate will go on to become librarians, but many librarian jobs do require a graduate degree in Library Science as well.
Only 119 students graduated with a degree in Library Science in the 2020-21 academic year!
56% of librarians have a master’s degree. The position has a median salary of $62,000 and is expected to grow 4%.
3. MILITARY TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLIED SCIENCES
Military Technologies and Applied Sciences majors study military science, intelligence gathering, military technology, national security, military operations, and more. Courses will generally cover computer science, military strategy, management, leadership, field training, ethics, and other subjects that support the area of study.
As of 2020-21, there were only roughly 1,524 students who majored and graduated with a degree in Military Technologies. They can go onto work with defense and military contractors or join the military, but other career options include teaching, engineering, and criminal justice, as well as:
- Intelligence Analyst
- Median salary: $91,000
- Projected job growth: 1.5%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Median salary: $108,000
- Projected job growth: 35.1%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s or Master’s
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator
- Median salary: $95,000
- Projected job growth: 2.4%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
4. COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
4,557 students received a bachelor’s in Communication Technologies in 2020-21. These programs focus on the study of economics, management, communications, media production, and technology.
These students can go onto work in a number of careers including as a business analyst, marketer, network engineer, film and video editor, and sound engineering technician.
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Median salary: $108,000
- Projected job growth: 35.1%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s or Master’s
- Marketing Manager
- Median salary: $157,000
- Projected job growth: 6.6%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Film and Video Editor
- Median salary: $66,000
- Projected job growth: 9.4%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Sound Engineering Technician
- Median salary: $59,000
- Projected job growth: -1.1%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
5. LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES
A major in legal studies is not required in order to become a lawyer, but the Legal Professions and Studies programs do open the doors to several careers in the legal field and could be a strong foundation for students who are interested in going to law school.
In 2020-21, 4,589 students graduated with a bachelor’s in Legal Professions and Studies.
Common career paths are:
- Lawyer
- Median salary: $145,000
- Projected job growth: 7.6%
- Degree required: Juris Doctor
- Paralegal and Legal Assistants
- Median salary: $60,000
- Projected job growth: 4.2%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
- Median salary: $72,000
- Projected job growth: 3.3%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
6. TRANSPORTATION AND MATERIALS MOVING
Majoring in Transportation and Materials Moving means studying about the operation, build, and management of transportation equipment, logistics, safety, and similar subjects. Students can take it a step further and decide to study Air Transportation or Marine Transportation.
While this major is seeing some growth at the moment, only 5,993 students graduated with a degree in it in 2020-2021.
Those who graduate can go onto work in trucking, piloting, logistics, or several other fields. Some career options include:
- Logistic Analyst
- Median salary: $79,000
- Projected job growth: 18.3%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Air Traffic Controller
- Median salary: $137,000
- Projected job growth: 1.3%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Highway Maintenance Worker
- Median salary: $47,000
- Projected job growth: 7.9%
- Degree required: High school diploma
7. THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS
Theology and Religious Vocations majors mainly focus on theology and prepare students for a religious vocation. Students can expect to take classes in biblical studies, world religions, history, philosophy, literature, and others.
In 2020-21, 6,737 students graduated with a degree in Theology and Religious Vocations.
Many go onto careers in religion, but some options include:
- Writer or Author
- Median salary: $73,000
- Projected job growth: 3.7%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Postsecondary Philosophy or Religion Teacher
- Median salary: $79,000
- Projected job growth: 2.7%
- Degree required: Doctorate or Professional
- Religious Activities and Education Director
- Median salary: $50,000
- Projected job growth: -0.2%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
8. AREA, ETHNIC, AND GENDER STUDIES
About 7,374 students majored and graduated with a degree in Area, Ethnic, and Gender Studies in 2020-2021. Those who pursue this area of study will learn about the defined areas, countries, and regions as well as defined minority groups and issues that affect collective groups.
Job opportunities with a degree in Area, Ethnic, and Gender Studies can range quite a bit. Here are some examples:
- Postsecondary Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher
- Median salary: $86,000
- Projected job growth: 4.2%
- Degree required: Doctorate or Professional
- Human Resources Manager
- Median salary: $136,000
- Projected job growth: 5.2%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Social Science Research Assistant
- Median salary: $56,000
- Projected job growth: 4.7%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
9. ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES
Among the least common majors in the US between 2020 and 2021 was Architecture and Related Services with only about 9,296 students earning their degree in the major. The area of study focuses on engineering, art, drawing, designing, the theory of design, layouts, and the history of architecture.
Those who earn a degree in this major can go onto work as building surveyors, professors, project coordinators, and
- Architectural and Engineering Manager
- Median salary: $165,000
- Projected job growth: 4.1%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Architect
- Median salary: $93,000
- Projected job growth: 4.9%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Interior Designer
- Median salary: $62,000
- Projected job growth: 4%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
10. PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Those pursuing a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies will focus on building various skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and writing. Courses in particular dive into human interactions and existence, humanity, meaning, morals, values, and beliefs. Although many students will take a philosophy or a religion related class during their time in college, only 11,988 graduated with a degree in this area of study.
This particular area of study opens the door to several job opportunities including in business and finance, education, nonprofit work, religion, medicine, and law. Here are a few examples:
- Writer or Author
- Median salary: $73,000
- Projected job growth: 3.7%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Postsecondary Philosophy and Religion Teacher
- Median salary: $79,000
- Projected job growth: 2.7%
- Degree required: Doctorate or Professional
- Religious Activities and Education Director
- Median salary: $50,000
- Projected job growth: -0.2%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
Should You Pursue an Uncommon Major?
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. However, this is an excellent option if you’re planning to pursue a graduate degree in Library Science, a requirement for most librarian jobs.
Before choosing to pursue an uncommon major, you’ll want to research your options and consider these points:
- Long-term goals. Will this uncommon major help you achieve your long-term goals? Think about your career and education goals. If you’re planning on a specialized career or a specific grad program, a niche area of study can give you a leg up.
- Passions. Engaging with a field you love, even if it’s uncommon, can be fulfilling. But keep in mind that if your passion wanes, finding motivation can be difficult.
- Career opportunities. Niche majors often have fewer job openings, which could present problems after graduation. Look at career growth projections and possible adjacent careers should your first choice not work out.
- Transferrable skills. Many uncommon majors still teach valuable skills that can be transferable and work in other fields. However, if it’s too specialized, you could be extremely limited when it comes time to find a job.
- Comparable options. Some uncommon majors have comparable majors that are more common and could give you additional skills. Students interested in a master’s degree in Library Science, for example, tend to major in English. Students interested in AI might want to consider data science or computer science.
- Majors vs. minors. vs. concentrations. Depending on your interests, you might want to consider pursuing a less common area of study as a minor or concentration. This allows you to focus on your passions while also gaining more transferable skills.
Even if your intended major is among the “uncommon”, don’t let it discourage you from pursuing the area of study. These 10 and other less common options all have fantastic career paths that can pay off. Less popular doesn’t always mean there are fewer opportunities!
Reviewing your goals, passions, strengths, and interests, as well as career opportunities and growth projections, can help give you insight into the best major for you. Want to check out some of the most popular majors? See them here.
