What is a Major in College? 5 Tips to Choosing Your Best Major

Although a lot has changed in recent years concerning college degrees, studies still show that the more you learn the more you earn. On average, college graduates earn a higher salary and have a significantly lower unemployment rate than their high school-educated counterparts. They're also able to amass far greater wealth according to a recent Pew research analysis.

So, where do you start? 

Choosing your academic major in college is a big decision that can chart the course for the rest of your life. Luckily, you don't have to make this decision on your own. We've created a simple breakdown of college majors, answer the question: "What is a major in college?" and provide other important questions to ask yourself. Keep reading to learn more!

What is a Major in College?

On average, students nationwide change their college major at least three times throughout their college career. It's better to normalize this part of the college journey than try to push through feelings of doubt about your choice. 

Ideally, you'd pick the perfect major right out of the gate. If that's your goal, then you're in the right place! We're here to help you find the right major for you. Let's start with a simple definition.

In general terms, a college major is a specific area of study that students choose to determine a career path. If you have somewhat of an idea of what you’d like to pursue upon graduation, a college major steers you in that direction by establishing your courses throughout your years at your college or university.

How Do I Choose a Major?

Choosing a major is an important decision but remember that it begins, most importantly, with you and your interests and goals. Thinking about “what college major is right for me” can start with your strengths or what you’ve been drawn to.

Have you always been good at solving problems, putting things together, or building? Then either engineering or criminology could be a great direction for you.

Perhaps working with numbers has been something that came easy to you and that you enjoyed – then finance, accounting, marketing, or even teaching mathematics could be your calling.

Is writing your joy? Working with children? Helping other people? Or have you always had an eye for art? Communications, journalism, marketing, education, nursing, architecture, or design arts – all are just a few of the college concentrations that can lead to your future career.

What College Majors Make the Most Money?

You’re thinking ahead to your future – smart! Basing your major decision around what will lead to the highest-paying jobs is an important component of your undergraduate major choice.

According to recent statistics as of early 2024, the majors generating the highest income within five years after graduation were engineering – including computer, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering. Computer science, finance, and economics also ranked high concerning pay.

However, it's important to consider more when you're deciding on a major than just your future income. Earning your degree is a challenging process that takes years. It's a huge investment of your time and money. Not to mention, you'll be committing to a lifetime of work in that field. So, be sure you enjoy learning about and working on your chosen topic.

Steps To Choosing Your Major

Don’t let the process overwhelm you or the pressure from others asking. It’s your life, your future; plus, keep in mind you can always change your major! Below are some tips to help you begin the steps toward your major:

• Think about your strengths in life and school – what courses you did well in, what you enjoyed learning or doing.
• Ask yourself what impact do you want to have in the world – we believe in pursuing ways to help others and support our communities. Whether it's through nursing someone back to health, combating environmental threats, fighting cyber warfare, or discovering a cure for cancer. Why not study something that you feel good about doing?
• Explore the websites of colleges and universities to see what courses and majors they offer. You can find a complete list of majors on Norwich’s site. You might find there’s a major you didn’t know existed that speaks to you!
• Research jobs and careers, especially jobs in the near future that generate the pay you desire.
• Consider a part-time or summer job or interning at a company that may feature the career field you’re interested in. It may give you a taste or introduction to something you’re thinking about majoring in!
• Speak to people – friends or family members – who are in the field you’re interested in. They may be able to give you insight as to what they majored in or what led them to that career or job.
• Chat with an admissions counselor about what you’re interested in to see what majors they recommend. They have enough knowledge about each major to point you in the right direction. They can also help you schedule a meeting with professors so you can learn more about a major and if it’ll be the right fit.
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What’s a Minor?

You may find that you have two areas of interest – not a problem at all! You can always enhance your focus of studies by adding a minor. A minor consists of supporting courses that can expand your major or offer another path of interest. A minor is an additional credential that takes you fewer classes to complete than a major. 

For example, at Norwich, you could major in education and minor in accounting if teaching accounting is something that piques your interest! Or say, you are interested in a business major but enjoy literature, art, or writing and would like a creative component in your career, you could minor in English, communications, or Art History – all options at Norwich University. 

At Norwich, there are also opportunities to combine two majors and graduate with a double major. For example, management and accounting! Adding minors to your degree allows you to specialize in a field and stand out in a job interview. For example, some Norwich students choose to minor in environmental law as a criminal justice major. This gives you a more specialized degree that sets you apart from others with a similar major.

Find a school that supports your unique interests and allows you to shape your degree based on the career you want to pursue. With the right support and opportunities, the possibilities are endless and right at your fingertips!

Discover Your Best Major

We hope this information about "what is a major in college" can help alleviate some of the pressure or anxiety that comes with choosing a college major. Think of it as the first step to begin further research. Think about your strengths and interests to get started. Consider adding a minor to focus on two areas of study that often create flexibility and help your degree stand out from the crowd. 

Take time to review the course and major options. Explore further by reading more online or speaking to family, friends, or school counselors. Remember that it’s always possible to pivot if you find that you’d rather go in a different direction. 

Still have questions? Would like some guidance? Our staff of admission counselors is always here and happy to assist you with any questions about choosing a major. Admissions counselors offer you one-on-one attention to assist you in answering your questions about all the options available to you.

If you’re interested in learning more about everything Norwich has to offer, complete our Request More Information form or schedule a visit today!