16 Easy College Majors: Ultimate Guide [2020 Edition]

What makes a college major easy? Fewer math classes? Less time in the Chemistry lab?

Or maybe you like classes with lots of writing.

What’s “easy” and what’s “difficult” is very subjective. It all depends on your likes and dislikes. Me? I like writing. But I’m not a huge fan of dissecting random animals in a bio lab.

What do you enjoy? Let that be your guide as you start exploring majors!

Methodology

In a study performed by Cornell University, it was determined that science majors tend to have lower than average GPAs. The average GPA for college students at a four-year college is a 3.15 grade point average. The college majors we selected for inclusion have a higher than average GPA, indicating that for “most” students, maintaining a higher GPA is “less difficult”.

Here’s an example:

• Special education majors average a whopping 3.8 GPA
• Chemistry majors average a mere 2.78 GPA

It would seem that special education majors have no problem raking in the straight A’s! So, if you’re looking for a degree that may require less time (or perhaps less effort) to keep a high GPA, the following college majors may be a good option. You be the judge!

The 16 Easiest College Majors

Average GPAs were used to determine which majors to include. You can read more about our methodology here. All salaries listed are average salaries provided by Payscale.

1. Psychology – $57,000
2. Criminal Justice – $53,000
3. English – $55,000
4. Education – $50,000
5. Religious Studies – $53,000
6. Social Work – $49,000
7. Sociology – $56,000
8. Communications – $60,000
9. History – $62,000
10. Health – $60,000
11. Liberal Arts – $60,000
12. Creative Writing – $50,000
13. Anthropology – $55,000
14. Linguistics – $58,000
15. Music – $54,000
16. Humanities – $59,000

All salary data is provided by Payscale.

#1 Psychology Major

If you love helping your friends analyze text messages and decipher the inner motivation, then a psychology major may be the right choice for you! A psychology major allows you to study the workings of the human psyche and discover how to understand the behavior of individuals within culture and society, which can make for fun dinner table conversations!

Psychology Major Pros

• There are many fields of career specialization with this major, from work within a laboratory to a clinical situation!
• By default, psychology is about people, so you have the opportunity to work in a highly social setting.
• A psychology major provides a wealth of transferable skills, such as analytical and communication skills.

Psychology Major Cons

• Psychology degrees require a lot of research and statistical analysis.
• If you want to work as a psychologist, you will need further education such as a Masters or even a Doctorate.

Psychology Careers and Salary

If you decide to pursue a Psychology major, there are a variety of careers available. Whether you want to work in the healthcare field or another field, a psychology major can set you up for one of these possible careers.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale.

#2 Criminal Justice Major

For Truth, Justice, and the American Way! If you ever found yourself quoting this line alongside Superman, a criminal justice major may be a way for you to be a superhero, even if you don’t have super strength.

Criminal Justice Major Pros

• Criminal Justice is an exciting field that allows you to help others in a hands-on way.
• Well-paying job opportunities, with the ability to make $49,000+ a year.
• Criminal Justice majors are not reading or writing intensive.

Criminal Justice Major Cons

• Working in the criminal justice field can be very stressful, exacting a toll on everyone in the field.

If you decide to pursue a criminal justice major, one of these careers might be a great fit for you.

Source: Payscale and the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook

#3 English Major

If you can frequently be found with your nose in a book, or if your friends always come to you for reading recommendations, then an English major might be a great fit for you.

English majors focus on reading great literary works and then analyzing them in detail.

English Major Pros

• The freedom and encouragement to read lots of books as part of your education.
• No major research papers!
• Majoring in English allows you to pursue a variety of career opportunities, from museums to insurance writers, or even the FBI!

English Major Cons

• The wide variety of career paths available to an English major also provides a lack of focus. It’s hard to narrow down a career when you are not prepared for a specific job.
• An English major requires a LOT of reading and writing. With multiple books assigned for each course, and then papers assigned on top, completing an English major can be a big time commitment.

English Major Careers and Salary

English majors sometimes are lambasted as not being worth the paper they are written on, but that is not the case! An English degree can prepare you for several great careers (and the matching salary!)

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale.

You can also earn an English degree online. This is a great alternative to sitting in a class on campus if you need to balance school with your other commitments.

#4 Education Major

If you want to change the world, be a teacher. Teachers have an immense opportunity to impact others as they share pertinent information and guide thoughtful discussion on big-scale issues.

There are a number of education majors including:

• Special Education
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education

Education Major Pros

• The bulk of your classwork is based around educational theory, which is not a complicated science and makes coursework easier.
• The hands-on nature of education is a good match for those who don’t like desk work.
• Required SAT entrance scores are among the lowest in undergraduate degrees.

Education Major Cons

• Student teaching requires a full-time commitment, often with no pay.

Education and Teaching Careers and Salary

With an education career, you are fast-tracked to become a teacher, but you could also follow one of these exciting career paths.

Source: Payscale and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

#5 Religious Studies Major

If you are intrigued by the movement and philosophies of various world religions and like to discuss issues that have no clear-cut answers, you might enjoy a Religious Studies degree.

Religious Studies Pros

• Most content is graded on your ability to argue a point, not on being right or wrong.
• The opportunity to study different cultures and religions is mind-opening and may grant you a deeper perspective on your own life.

Religious Studies Cons

• This degree does not have a clear end goal, which can make finding a career after getting your degree difficult.

Religious Studies Careers and Salary

Source: Payscale and U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Outlook Handbook

#6 Social Work Major

If you are eager to help others and want to go to sleep each night knowing that you made a difference in the world, then a Social Work major may be your perfect match.

Social Work Major Pros

• Courses in this major do not require a lot of upper-level mathematics or physical sciences, which will make the coursework easier.
• Majoring in Social Work requires an internship which can create great connections for career development after you graduate.

Social Work Major Cons

• Majoring in Social Work also means majoring in family trauma, violence, and social dysfunction, none of which will help you sleep at night.

Social Work Careers and Salary

You wouldn’t pursue a Social Work major for the money, but that doesn’t mean the pay is bad!

Source: Payscale and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook

#7 Sociology Major

A Sociology major prepares you to study human behavior through observation and collecting data.

Sociology Major Pros

• Sociology readings are generally in the form of journal articles: short, sweet, and to the point.
• Spending time studying social connections can set you up for success in people-orientated fields such as Human Resources.

Sociology Major Cons

• According to a study by Georgetown, Sociology majors face an overwhelming 9.9% unemployment rate.

Sociology Careers and Salary

If you decide that you want to take your social observation skills to a new level, then there are a variety of careers that build upon a Sociology major.

Source: Payscale and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook

#8 Communications Major

Majoring in Communications forces you to analyze your perspective and how it impacts the way you interact with the world around you. Through this process, you are able to study power imbalances, gender, culture, sexual orientation, and politics within the scope of the messages that our society is sending, which is an eye-opening experience!

Communications Major Pros

• The theories you learn in class can be immediately applied in your day-to-day life.
• Communications is a hands-on degree, allowing you to exercise your creativity while accomplishing educational requirements.

Communications Major Cons

• The starting salary for a Communications major is often quite low, which can be a hard pill to swallow if your degree required a sizable student loan.

Communications Careers and Salary

A Communications major provides a diverse spectrum of careers, from editors to public relations specialists.

Source: Payscale and Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook

#9 History Major

History is considered an easy major as the facts have already happened, and all we have to do is interpret them now. All you need to do now is order the events and understand the overarching storyline of history.

History Major Pros

• Coursework is based on reading and writing papers. No burdensome lab reports or technical writing!
• You can develop excellent critical thinking and research skills in this major.

History Major Cons

• Most careers in the History track require a graduate degree for employment.
• A large portion of your resources will be translations or in the original language, making studying difficult.

History Careers and Salary

You’ve decided to take the leap and pursue a career that highlights your love of history, so take a look at this list to see some potential career opportunities.

Source: Payscale and U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Outlook Handbook

#10 Health Major

You were coughing into your elbow before it was standard practice, can always be found with hand sanitizer in your pocket, and can easily explain the difference between germs and bacteria. Majoring in Health, in either a Health Science or Health Administration degree, will allow you to help others, without the requirements of nursing or med school.

Health Major Pros

• Flexibility if you choose to pursue further education in the healthcare industry.
• Healthcare is a rapidly growing field, with lots of employment opportunities.

Health Major Cons

• A Health Administrator major may have high academic expectations for its students, requiring you to put in a lot of work to succeed in your classes.

Health Careers and Salary

Have you decided that a Health major is the right fit for you? If so, consider these possible careers and how you want to be a part of the healthcare field.

Source: Payscale and Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook

#11 Liberal Arts Major

If you Google Liberal Arts, you will often see the theoretical Liberal Arts contrasted with the practical STEMs. It is this theoretical aspect that will make a Liberal Arts degree easier than the tech-heavy STEM degrees.

Liberal Arts Major Pros

• A Liberal Arts major develops skills such as critical thinking and emotional intelligence that will make your resume very attractive to potential employers.
• A Liberal Arts major is a great stepping stone for a more difficult graduate degree like medicine.

Liberal Arts Major Cons

• Directly out of college, your Liberal Arts degree will probably only earn $26,272 instead of the $31,183 that a professional degree might net according to AACU.

Liberal Arts Careers and Salary

If you desire to pursue the good and beautiful in your career choices, Forbes lists several compelling and high-demand careers if you have a Liberal Arts major.

Source: Payscale and Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook

#12 Creative Writing Major

If you can pen poetry, plays, and personal essays with ease, you should consider a major in creative writing. As a student, you will have opportunities to analyze existing pieces, create new work in a variety of genres, and receive feedback that will help hone your skills.

Creative Writing Major Pros

• Your homework assignments will be the same thing you’ve been doing for fun for years.
• Great communication and writing skills are valuable in nearly all professions (and handy in life, too!).
• This major will allow you to cultivate your creative and artistic talents in a way that is marketable.

Creative Writing Major Cons

• Even for those who love it, writing can be tedious and time-consuming.
• Writer’s block: Everyone gets it, but as a creative writing major you will have to learn to power through it in order to meet your deadlines.
• Critiques are a big part of this major. You will have to be comfortable giving and receiving negative feedback, professionally.

Creative Writing Careers and Salary

Creative writing will help you develop useful communication skills. But since it’s unlikely you will earn a paycheck for writing poems and short stories, you will have to think outside the box to determine what occupation will make the best use of your talents.

Source: Payscale and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook

#13 Anthropology Major

Do you dig the history and the evolution of humankind? With a major in anthropology, you can explore the cultural history and social relationships, and even travel to examine archaeological remains and learn about the human species.

Anthropology Major Pros

• You will develop skills in business, education, public service, research and advocacy – all of which are useful in many occupations.
• You can see the world! There will be opportunities to travel, meet new people, immerse yourself in new cultures, and so on.
• You will learn to communicate with and relate to people and adapt to different environments, which can be personally rewarding.

Anthropology Major Cons

• We have to count travel as a “con” too because it can be isolating and long-term.
• The work can be physically demanding. You may be required to dig, sometimes in hot climates.
• Projects are on-going, sometimes without a clear conclusion, so it can be difficult to measure success.

Anthropology Careers and Salary

Anthropologists don’t always work on-site in remote locations. Graduates may find employment as educators or researchers, working for government agencies, corporations, or non-profit organizations.

Source: Payscale and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

#14 Linguistics Major

Is it soda, pop, or coke? Why do we say feet instead of foots? Which accents are associated with each region? If you love learning about language, dialect, and vernacular, a linguistics degree may be just what you’re looking for.

Linguistics Major Pros

• People with language skills are in high demand in all fields.
• You may have opportunities to travel and meet new people around the world.

Linguistic Major Cons

• This is a fairly narrow field, so there aren’t dozens of career paths to choose from.
• Some career options for linguistics graduates will require a more advanced degree or license.

Linguistics Careers and Salary

Fortunately for you, language skills are useful in all fields, all around the world! Your degree will be highly versatile, allowing you to work as an interpreter, translator, or writer in a school, business, government agency or military, for example.

Source: Payscale and Occupational Outlook Handbook

#15 Music Major

People who pursue music are passionate about it! But you will need to stay in tune with reality – teaching, composing, or engineering may be the best paths if you want to earn a decent income in the music industry.

Music Major Pros

• You will get to explore and share your passion, every day.
• There will be plenty of opportunities to work with others, learning from and creating with one another, and networking professionally.
• You will develop patience, confidence, and tenacity.

Music Major Cons

• It can be difficult to find steady employment in music, as with most artistic fields.
• Some people find that turning a hobby into a job makes it less enjoyable.

Music Careers and Salary

We’ve all heard the term “starving artist,” but there are definitely ways you can make money as a musician. Adding a second degree or a concentration in a complementary field, like technology, can open even more doors!

Source: Payscale and Occupational Outlook Handbook

#16 Humanities Major

Maybe your interests span a variety of areas including art, music, literature, history, philosophy, and religion. If you can’t seem to narrow it down to one field, a degree in humanities will allow you to explore all of these, and keep the door wide open when it comes to career options.

Humanities Major Pros

• You will work on communication, critical thinking and analysis, all of which are valuable both personally and professionally.
• The degree is extremely flexible so you can find employment in nearly any industry.

Humanities Major Cons

• Though you’ll gain a diverse range of useful skills, you may not adequately develop the technical skills necessary for one specific career. You may need some on-the-job training.
• You may need to pursue a more advanced degree or licensing to land the best jobs.

Humanities Careers and Salary

While many degrees lead to an obvious career choice, humanities is more open-ended. Your education will provide you with skills that are useful in a wide variety of professions, and then you will need to determine which one is the best fit for you.

Source: Payscale and Occupational Outlook Handbook

What Easy College Majors Pay Well?

Some examples of easy college majors that pay well include Criminal Justice, Sociology, Health, Liberal Arts, Anthropology and Linguistics / Languages. Professionals within these fields are capable of earning as much as $60-100 per year!

Check out some of the specific occupations graduates could pursue, and the median salaries associated with each:

Source: Payscale and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook.  You can also check out our in-depth guide to quick and easy degrees that pay well.

Easy Medical Majors

The best easy medical majors tend to be vocational programs that do not require a four year college degree.

Here are the best easy medical majors for those of you who do not want (or need) a bachelor’s degree:

• Sonography
• Medical Assistant
• Dental Assistant
• Health Information Technician
• Pharmacy Technician
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Medical Coder
• Dental Hygienist
• Respiratory Therapy

If you are looking for a four year degree, the easiest medical majors in college are:

• Healthcare Administration
• Healthcare Information Sciences
• Occupational Health
• Health Sciences
• Nutrition Sciences

Whether your want to use a vocational program to gain entrance to the medical field quickly or prefer earning a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration, some medical majors are easier than others.

Easy College Majors for Athletes

Whether or not a college major is easy will depend largely on your strengths and interests. However, based on average GPAs, the following majors may be a good choice for you.

• Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Health (or Health Sciences)
• Criminal Justice
• Social Sciences (such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, and related)

Are you a student athlete studying an easy major not listed above? Please leave a comment below so we can include your recommendations in the listing above. It will help if you can also state why the major seems easy for you.

10 Hardest College Majors

As we’ve already mentioned concerning easy majors, not everyone will find the following college majors difficult. If you are strong in math and science, these so-called hardest college majors may be a breeze for you.

• Chemistry – 2.78 GPA
• Mathematics – 2.90 GPA
• Economics – 2.95 GPA
• Biology – 3.02 GPA
• Geology – 3.03 GPA
• Philosophy – 3.08 GPA
• Finance – 3.08 GPA
• Physics – 3.10 GPA
• Computer Science – 3.13 GPA
• Mechanical Engineering – 3.17 GPA

We go into greater detail on each of these majors here.

Still have more questions?

We’ve listed some of the more common questions below. Don’t see an answer to your question? Just drop us a line in the comments below. We’ll get back to you ASAP.

Which easy college majors have the best career prospects?

If you earn a bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields, you can expect to earn an average salary of between $55,000 and $62,000.

But these numbers don’t tell the whole story.

As a history major, you could land a job as the director of operations and rake in almost $75,000 a year. As a liberal arts major, you could end up in upper management making $100K+ each year. Payscale does a great job of showing you the career prospects for certain majors.

Source: Payscale

Graduates with degrees in these fields make good money and have opportunities to help others. Their roles as social workers, counselors, linguists, and teachers put them in contact with the public every day, allowing them to assist, support and advocate for individuals in their communities and beyond.

That makes for a really good job!

What are easy majors that make a lot of money?

Easy college majors that make a lot of money include Criminal Justice, Social Work, Social Sciences, Humanities and Communications. After graduating with a degree in one of these fields, you could make close to (or slightly above) three figures!

What is the easiest major to get online?

Much like sitting in a classroom, the easiest major to get online will depend on your academic strengths and personal taste.

For example, if you like to write, pursuing a Bachelor’s in English online (or a Bachelor’s in Communication) would probably seem quite easy for you since you like to write. But what if you hate writing? You will likely hate your coursework and consider it quite difficult.

So what’s my point?

Take inventory of your likes and dislikes along with your academic strengths and weaknesses. If you hate math, I wouldn’t recommend pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science online. Similarly, if you hate economics, accounting, and finance, you might consider a bachelor’s in business administration quite taxing.

What makes a college major easy?

As we’ve pointed out, “easy” is a subjective term. Whether or not a particular major is easy depends on your aptitude, experience, and interests. This will, of course, vary greatly from one person to the next.

One way we can get a sense of how easy a major might be overall is by looking at how well most of the students in that major are doing.  If a lot of students are doing well in a field, it may be because it is “easier” than in other fields.

The University of Las Vegas has compiled a list of degree productivity, showing how many degrees were awarded and the average graduating GPA for each major.

Here are some of the fields with the highest average GPAs:

A variety of things could contribute to the higher GPA scores in these majors. The fact that many students perform well in an area at one school doesn’t necessarily mean that is the case at all schools. But this data does offer a point of comparison when trying to identify easy college majors.

Some other factors that may make a college major easy include:

• Work that cannot be objectively evaluated (like art)
• Fewer hours spent on homework/papers/studying
• More group projects, rather than requiring individual students to be accountable for their own success

While none of these criteria guarantees that a major is easy, each offers a point of comparison that can help identify majors that are easier for a majority of students.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What are the hardest college majors?
• What easy college majors pay well?
• What are the best easy medical majors?
• What majors are easy for college athletes?

Final Thoughts

So, what do you think? Is majoring in history looking a little more inviting? Or do you want step up your game in the music field?

Maybe, maybe not.

Selecting a college major should be a rewarding experience… try not to just weigh the pros and cons.

What fields excite you?

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

Ultimately, choosing a college major that closely aligns with your values should be deeply satisfying.