04 January 2008

Business Is Most Popular Degree Area at U.S. Universities

Social sciences second most popular area of study

 

Data courtesy of the National Center for Education Statistics

Data courtesy of the National Center for Education Statistics

U.S. colleges and universities provide educational opportunities in virtually any field of study to U.S. students and a growing number of international ones.

Business was the most popular field of study among those receiving four-year bachelor’s degrees in 2004-2005, the most recent academic year for which the National Center for Education Statistics provides data. Of the 1,439,264 bachelor’s degrees awarded, 311,574 were conferred on business majors.

Under the categories used by the center, the social sciences was the next most popular field of study -- with 125,494 degrees awarded -- followed by education (105,451), psychology (85,614), visual and performing arts (80,955), and health professions and related clinical sciences (80,685).

Among those receiving two-year associate degrees, though, the most popular field of study is liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities. Of the 696,660 associate’s degrees awarded in the 2004-2005 academic year, some 240,131 were conferred on liberal arts majors.

The health professions and related clinical sciences was the second most popular field for two-year associate degrees -- with 122,520 degrees awarded -- followed by business (112,378), computer and information sciences (36,173) and engineering technologies (33,548).

Many recipients of associate degrees, it should be noted, enroll in four-year institutions and may continue in their previous field of study or choose an entirely new field.