Not sure what to major in? While there are plenty of ways to help you choose the best area of study for your strengths and goals, considering the best college majors for 2023 can also work as an excellent springboard! You might just find your dream major in this list, too. Check out these 10 majors that are showing plenty of promise in the years to come.
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Why Are These Considered the Best Majors?
Selecting a major is a personal choice. You should always go with something that plays to your strengths, passions, and interests. These “best majors,” though, were selected because they contain some of the most in-demand jobs in 2023! Almost all of the majors and potential positions listed below are expected to see plenty of growth in the next five years, meaning new jobs are or will come available to graduates in the industry.
Each of the top majors has two to three high-paying jobs listed underneath. Almost all of these positions only require a bachelor’s, but there are a couple that do require a doctorate. Make sure to use our free Major Search tool and Career Finder tool if you want to know more about these areas of study, potential positions, and more.
10 Best College Majors
1. Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering is offered at over 250 schools and teaches students how to apply scientific and mathematical principles to computer hardware and software systems. Some of the top schools that have this particular major include Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Northwestern University, and the United States Naval Academy.
Three jobs that pay well for this major are:
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Median Salary: $152,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 2.8%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median Salary: $128,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 6.2%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Postsecondary Engineering Teachers
- Median Salary: $104,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 11.2%
- Common Education Level: Doctorate
2. Computer Science
Computer Science is an extremely popular major at colleges and among students – and it’s one of the top options still in 2023! Students studying computer science will learn about the design of computer systems, development, programming, user interfaces, and more. The subject covers a broad range of topics so there are many avenues for careers in this particular field. Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University all offer excellent Computer Science programs.
Common careers after graduation are:
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Median Salary: $159,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 11.3%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers
- Median Salary: $77,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 4.2%
- Common Education Level: Doctorate
3. Business Administration and Management
Business Administration and Management is another common major found at numerous colleges, and it’s one of the most popular, too! That’s because administration and management skills can be used in just about any industry, so it’s always in demand making it one of the best college majors. Those who pursue careers in this field will learn about organization business, managing human resources, accounting, logistics, marketing, decision-making, and more.
College Raptor’s rankings show that the University of Pennsylvania, Rice University, and Washington and Lee University are three of the top schools for this major in 2023!
- Chief Executives
- Median Salary: $179,520
- Projected Growth Rate: -5.5%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Sales Managers
- Median Salary: $127,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 5.1%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Industrial Production Managers
- Median Salary: $103,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 0.6%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
4. Statistics
Statistics and other similar majors, such as Mathematics, are also top choices this year. Students who study stats in particular will learn about groups of measurement, probability theory, regression analysis, sampling theory, and more. Some top schools that offer this major are Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Chicago.
These are only three high-paying careers that Statistics majors can pursue:
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Median Salary: $137,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 5.8%
- Common Education Level: Master’s
- Actuaries
- Median Salary: $105,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 20%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Statisticians
- Median Salary: $95,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 30.6%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
5. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Electrical and Electronics Engineering students will learn about the design, development, and operational evaluation of systems in addition to energy storage, analysis of problems, and more. They’ll also study the ability to apply mathematical and scientific principles to their work.
Many top colleges and universities offer this particular major including Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University. Some common careers students go onto after graduation are:
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Median Salary: $152,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 2.8%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Aerospace Engineers
- Median Salary: $122,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 1.6%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Postsecondary Engineering Teachers
- Median Salary: $104,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 11.2%
- Common Education Level: Doctorate
6. Hospitality Administration/Management
Another business-related major, Hospitality Administration/Management is a specific focus on learning to manage hospitality operations. This could be in travel, tourism, hotels, lodging, food services, recreation, and more. Students will also learn about marketing, business management, franchise organization, logistics, transportation, and industry policies and regulations.
Boston University, University of Georgia, and University of Massachusetts-Amherst are some of the best colleges out there that offer this particular major! Two popular careers after graduation are:
- Food Service Managers
- Median Salary: $59,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 10.8%
- Common Education Level: High school diploma or equivalent
- Lodging Managers
- Median Salary: $59,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 1%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
7. Accounting
Accounting, and related majors, are offered at over 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States! Students in this area of study can expect to learn about accounting principles, managerial accounting, budget control, taxes, legalities, business systems, research, ethics, professional standards, consulting, and more. A strong math foundation is needed to succeed!
The University of Pennsylvania, the University of Notre Dame, and Washington University in St. Louis all offer accounting. Many colleges also offer similar degrees, but may call it something else, such as Finance or Economics.
A few common careers Accounting majors pursue include:
- Postsecondary Business Teachers
- Median Salary: $94,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 14.7%
- Common Education Level: Doctorate
- Financial Examiners
- Median Salary: $81,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 7.1%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Budget Analysts
- Median Salary: $79,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 4.4%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
8. Biology/Biological Sciences
Another major that requires a strong math foundation is biology/biological sciences. Students can choose to study general biology or focus on one of its many facets such as aquatic biology, botany, cell biology, zoology, biochemistry, and others. Calculus and organic chemistry are only two courses you will likely have to take in this major! Many careers in this field will require higher degrees than a Bachelor’s, too.
Many schools throughout the country offer some form of Biology/Biological Sciences, with some of the best universities and colleges being Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the California Institute of Technology.
Some Biology majors go on to work as
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Median Salary: $137,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 5.8%
- Common Education Level: Master’s
- Biological Scientists
- Median Salary: $82,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 5.7%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Life Scientists
- Median Salary: $81,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 5.3%
- Common Education Level: Doctorate
9. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Generally referred to as Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering is the study of the design, development, and operation of aircraft, space vehicles, and similar systems as well as the development of procedures for launching and control.
For students interested in this major, checking out Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the United States Naval Academy is recommended as they’re some of the best schools in the country that offer this area of study.
Three top-paying careers with a degree in Aerospace Engineering include:
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Median Salary: $152,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 2.8%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Aerospace Engineers
- Median Salary: $122,000
- Projected Growth Rate: 1.6%
- Common Education Level: Bachelor’s
- Postsecondary Engineering Teachers
- Median Salary: $104,000
- Projected Growth Rate:11.2%
- Common Education Level: Doctorate
10. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Nurses are in demand at the moment, and Registered Nursing is sure to be a top major for 2023. Students in this particular field will learn about health, caring for the sick, administration of medication and treatments, examinations, health maintenance, health education, and other techniques needed in the field.
Quite a few colleges offer nursing programs, but some of the top schools that do include University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, and the University of Virginia. Most students in this field will go on to be registered nurses, earning a salary of around $77,000. With a majority of positions requiring only an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, the projected job growth is just over 12%.
Choosing the Best College Majors for You
These are just 10 of the best college majors for 2023 that are out there! If you don’t see yours, don’t feel discouraged. There are thousands of available majors and minors available to students, and some are even unique to the college! If you have any questions about the best major for you, make sure to talk to your high school guidance counselor, the college career center, or your college advisor.
Want to learn more about the top majors of 2023 and the careers they can lead to? College Raptor has tools for both! Our Major Search tool gives you must-know information about the areas of study and the best schools out there that offer the major. And our College Finder lets you look through thousands of potential job fields and gives you details on expected salaries, projected growth rates, job responsibilities, and more.
*Career data provided by: O*NET 26.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”).
