Switching majors is common for many college students. Usually, students pick their original major in something that they have a strong interest in. As students take classes that are required for their major, they may start to realize that what they are learning doesn’t align with what they envisioned or they don’t want to pursue that career path.
While changing majors may seem daunting, it can give students a push to stay in college rather than drop out. In the end, it’s important for students to graduate with a degree that interests them and start a career journey that aligns with their goals.
Are you thinking about changing majors? Or, are you curious about the majors students switch most often? This blog post will cover tips, insights, and statistics about switching college majors.
How many people change their major?
If you are stressing about switching majors, don’t worry: It’s actually really common! Around 80% of college students switch their majors at least once. Not only that, but on average, 1 in 10 college students changed their major more than once.
Picking your college major is a big decision, but it’s not a permanent one! It’s common for many students to make a switch once they better understand the major they have declared, have taken a few classes, and have an idea of what their career potential might look like after graduation.
What majors are most commonly switched to another degree?
Healthy percentages of people do change majors, and it is interesting to note that some majors are “stickier” than others and inspire more loyalty.
Here are some statistics that show how often students switch their major:
- 52% of math majors switched to another major
- 50% of engineering majors switched
- 40% of natural sciences majors switched
- 37% of education majors switched
- 36% of humanities majors switched
- 35% of all STEM majors switched
- 32% of general studies majors switched
- 31% of social science majors switched
- 31% of business majors switched
- 28% of computer and information sciences majors switched
- 26% of healthcare field majors switched
What Do These Statistics Mean?
These education statistics seem to show, for example, that people are not necessarily more loyal to STEM majors than non-STEM majors. For example, 52% of math majors defected from that major—more than any other major. However, only 28% of computer and information sciences majors switched. That’s one of the lowest percentages tallied!
There are other surprises too, including the fact that 37% of education majors—a relatively high percentage—decide to switch. You would think that education majors were pursuing a “calling” and would be less likely to change majors. Since that doesn’t seem to be the case, other factors must be influencing those students to change.
Why do college students change their major?
There are numerous reasons why students change their majors. Every student has their own reasons, but some common reasons include:
The original major doesn’t align with their initial expectations.
Sometimes students take the required classes for their declared major and discover that it simply isn’t the right fit for them.
Students develop new interests
College is one of the best times for students to explore their interests, and sometimes students may find a different major that aligns better with their new interests and goals. Alternatively, some students choose to apply for a less competitive major program with the hope of switching to a more selective major program once they’ve already taken their general education courses.
The career outlook doesn’t look promising for their selected college major.
A common goal for many students is to get a job in their field after college. If their selected major doesn’t have a promising career outlook, it might be better for students to find a different major that has a better career outlook.
The coursework and classes are more challenging than anticipated.
Some major-specific college classes can be very rigorous. If a student’s grades have dropped, they are experiencing burnout, or they are not enjoying their classes, they may realize that their major isn’t right for them.
Regardless of the factors at play, you may be wondering how this affects you and your current major. So, should you switch your major?
Should you switch your major?
There are various factors to consider before you change your college major, and there are causes for concern. For example, changing majors can make it necessary to stay in college for an additional semester or two while you make up the required courses for your new major. It also can mean taking courses over the summer or carrying a heavier course load while you are in school. All those activities may cost extra money and can add to the stress of completing a college degree.
If you are thinking about changing majors, ask yourself these questions:
How many credits have I accumulated?
If you are close to graduation, then switching college majors may not be a good idea. Speaking with an advisor at your college can help you with this decision. Depending on the major’s requirements and the amount of credits you have, you may be able to take the credits you have accumulated from your original major and put them towards a minor or a double major.
Are there financial factors to consider before I switch majors?
If you are thinking of switching your college major when you have already accumulated credits for your original major, you need to also think about the financial factor. Depending on your financial situation, switching majors could be expensive—especially if you need to take other classes for your new major.
Have my career goals changed?
By working towards earning a college degree, you are taking the first steps for your future career. If you are thinking about switching college majors, you also need to think about your career goals and what type of job you would like to pursue instead.
Do I have another major in mind that I want to switch to?
If you are certain that you don’t want to continue with your current major, that’s okay! But if your goal is to graduate with a college degree, ask yourself: “What should I switch my major to?” Before you drop out of your current major, explore the majors your college offers, meet with your academic advisor, and reevaluate your college and career goals.
Switching majors is a big decision. But, sometimes it’s necessary for students to change college majors so they can reach their education goals, graduate, and go on to have a successful career that they enjoy.
Whether you are a current college student who is thinking about changing your major or a high school student who is still trying to decide what to major in, knowing these college major statistics and tips can provide some insight and help you with your decision.
Check out these other great resources for college students:
While getting accepted into engineering or computer science programs is difficult, most colleges have lots of room for math majors. Once in, all you need to do is wait for the weed-out classes to make space for you. Yes, people do this and it works.