Degrees and Majors - Student Success (2024)

FAQs

What majors have the highest success rate? ›

A recent study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that engineering and computer science majors provide the highest returns in lifetime earnings, followed by business, health, and math and science majors.

​What is Student Success? Student success means improving graduation rates ​and ensuring more students get a degree sooner. Student success means reducing the number of students who drop out of college before graduating.

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) degrees dominate the list of collegiate programs that lead to top-paying careers. While some bachelor's degrees in the humanities and social sciences don't typically offer high salaries, they can provide a foundation for a graduate degree and a more lucrative career.

Interestingly the degrees that will give you the best chance of being employed quickly are medicine and dentistry, education and veterinary science.

We can also see there are many repeats on this list that speak to general trends in major competitiveness. Engineering, biology, and computer science are among them, with math following up close behind. In the humanities, history and social studies/social sciences have attracted the most students.

What is the smartest degree to get? ›

Degrees in STEM fields often provide versatile skills applicable across various industries, offering abundant career opportunities. In addition, degrees in business, healthcare, and education are highly valued for their practical applications and potential for impact.

The Most Oversaturated College Majors: Finance, Computer Science, Marketing. Discover the most oversaturated and competitive college majors like finance, computer science, and marketing. Find out why these majors attract a high number of graduates but struggle to find jobs in their field.

Successful students attend classes regularly. They are on time. They listen and train themselves to pay attention. If they miss a session, they feel obligated to let the instructor know why before class begins, if possible, and their excuses are legitimate and reasonable.

Time management: Access to resources also includes time management skills. Efficiently managing one's time is a resource in itself. Students who can allocate their time effectively to study, attend classes, and engage in extracurricular activities are better positioned for success.