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Revival of College Majors: Exciting Trends as Fall Semester Approaches
Back-to-school season is fast approaching. As millions of students gear up to attend college, their higher education institutions must stay apprised of student interests to ensure that the programs offered are relevant and prepare students for success. Through its reports, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center equips academic leaders with in-depth insights into the major fields students are pursuing.
- The Current Term Enrollment Estimate (CTEE) report provides national enrollment estimates by credential type, institutional sector, enrollment intensity, major field, and demographics.
- The Undergraduate Degree Earners report provides a demographic and education credential profile for all students who graduate with an undergraduate-level credential, encompassing undergraduate certificates and associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Enrollment Trends by Major Fields
Undergraduate enrollment at four-year institutions increased for 15 of the top 20 major fields in the 2023-2024 school year. The spring 2024 CTEE Report noted that Computer and Information Sciences saw the largest gains (9.9%), followed by Agriculture (7.6%), Engineering (6.1%), and Health Professions programs (3.4%).
The positive news from this report extends beyond these fields. Several majors that had experienced consistent declines in recent years—including Liberal Arts, General Studies, and Humanities—instead saw a small increase during this period, potentially signaling a turning point. Similarly, Mathematics and Statistics as well as Physical Sciences, which both experienced significant declines previously, stabilized with slight increases or held steady for the first time since spring 2019.
Completer Trends by Major Fields
Among first-time bachelor’s completers, Computer and Information Sciences degree earners increased by 4.0%, and Psychology degree earners increased by 0.8%, as the Undergraduate Degree Earners report covered. However, other top major fields, such as Business, Health Professions, and Communications and Journalism, declined. Note that the total number of undergraduate degree earners fell for the second year in the 2022-23 academic year (-2.8% or -99,200 from a year earlier).
Turning Data into Actionable Strategies
The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center is an invaluable resource for higher education leaders. By leveraging the data-driven insights in its reports, they can ensure their institutions are not just keeping pace with the changing educational landscape but actively shaping it for student success.
