A century‑long journey through changing student interests, cultural shifts, and economic revolutions.
1900s – 🏭 The Industrial Foundations
Most Popular Degrees
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Teaching (Normal Schools)
- Classical Studies
Why These Majors Dominated
The U.S. was industrializing rapidly. Factories, railroads, and early utilities needed engineers. Most Americans still lived in rural areas, so agriculture programs thrived. Teaching was one of the few professional paths open to women.
1910s – ⚔️ War, Medicine & Manufacturing
Most Popular Degrees
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Nursing
- Public Health
Why
World War I created demand for engineers, chemists, and medical workers. The 1918 flu pandemic pushed public‑health programs into the spotlight.
1920s – 🎷 The Modern Consumer Era
Most Popular Degrees
- Business
- Journalism
- Education
- Home Economics
Why
The Roaring Twenties brought mass media, advertising, and consumer culture. Universities expanded business schools. Journalism grew with radio and newspapers.
1930s – 📉 Depression‑Era Practicality
Most Popular Degrees
- Accounting
- Agriculture
- Social Work
- Civil Engineering
Why
The Great Depression forced students toward stable, practical careers. New Deal programs expanded social‑work and public‑infrastructure jobs.
1940s – 🪖 WWII & The GI Bill Boom
Most Popular Degrees
- Engineering
- Physics
- Medicine
- Education
Why
War industries needed scientists and engineers. After WWII, millions of veterans attended college through the GI Bill, fueling explosive growth in teaching and engineering programs.
1950s – 🚀 Science, Suburbia & The Space Race
Most Popular Degrees
- Engineering
- Education
- Business Administration
- Nursing
Why
Cold War competition emphasized science and engineering. Suburban expansion created huge demand for teachers. Business degrees grew with corporate America.
1960s – ✊ Social Change & The Liberal Arts Boom
Most Popular Degrees
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Psychology
- English & Humanities
Why
Civil rights, Vietnam, and cultural upheaval drove interest in social sciences and humanities. Universities expanded dramatically during this decade.
1970s – 💼 Professionalization & Public Service
Most Popular Degrees
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Nursing
- Education
Why
Economic uncertainty pushed students toward stable careers. Government and public‑service jobs expanded. Nursing surged with hospital growth.
1980s – 💻 The Computer Age Arrives
Most Popular Degrees
- Computer Science
- Finance
- Marketing
- Engineering
Why
Personal computers, Wall Street’s boom, and corporate culture shaped the decade. Business degrees became the most popular major in America.
1990s – 🌐 Globalization & Media Expansion
Most Popular Degrees
- Communications
- International Business
- Information Technology
- Psychology
Why
Cable TV, early internet, and global trade reshaped the workforce. Communications exploded as media diversified.
2000s – 📱 Digital Transformation & Healthcare Growth
Most Popular Degrees
- Computer Science
- Business Administration
- Nursing
- Information Systems
Why
The internet matured, smartphones arrived, and healthcare demand skyrocketed. Business remained the #1 major nationwide.
2010s – 🧬 Data, Innovation & Mental Health Awareness
Most Popular Degrees
- Data Science / Analytics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Psychology
- Computer Science
Why
Big data, biotech, and mental‑health awareness shaped student choices. STEM fields surged.
2020s – 🤖 AI, Cybersecurity & Public Health
Most Popular Degrees
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Cybersecurity
- Public Health
- Software Engineering
Why
Automation, remote work, pandemics, and digital security concerns define the decade. AI‑related majors are the fastest‑growing in U.S. history.