Easiest College Majors & Degrees (2025)

There are SO many college degrees and majors to choose from, and some are obviously harder than others. Let's face it - not everyone is cut out to be a health science or computer science major after high school. 

Perhaps you're looking for an easy college major that isn't overly difficult. Or maybe you're just curious about what degree programs may be less challenging than others. 

If you aspire to be a college student who doesn't have to worry about being assigned a lot of reading or developing expert research skills, you're in luck! Below, we'll take a look at some college majors and degrees that have a reputation for being on the easier side. 

We'll also tell you what career paths and career options you may have after you complete each degree. There's good news - many of these jobs also pay well and have a good average salary. 

10 easiest college majors

Let's get right into our list of easy majors. Remember that this isn't a ranking - these majors aren't in any particular order.

Psychology

Psychology is one of the easier majors because it involves understanding concepts that are relatable to everyday human behavior and offers flexibility in coursework with fewer intensive math or lab requirements compared to STEM fields.

Psychology majors learn about how the brain works and human behavior. It's one of the most popular majors in the U.S., and it opens doors for many job opportunities after college. Often, psychology majors go to graduate school after they get their bachelor's degree in hopes of working in healthcare as a clinical mental health professional. Others will work in human resources, education, or social services.

Psychology might be the right fit for you if you're interested in learning about what motivates people to think and act in certain ways. Psychologists also rake in a solid median annual wage of $92,740, with a job growth rate of 7% - faster than the average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Check our list of the top colleges for psychology majors. 

Anthropology

Anthropology is often considered an easy college major because it explores diverse cultures and human experiences through engaging, discussion-based coursework rather than heavily technical or quantitative methods.

As an anthropology major, you'll study the development of humankind to learn about society. You'll understand why certain events unfolded, and you'll be able to propose solutions to existing cultural problems. You'll also be able to approach controversial issues from multiple perspectives and think critically about social challenges and problems.

If you enjoy analyzing interactions between different groups of people and thinking about how communities could better interact and work together, then anthropology might be an interesting route for you to take. Plus, Anthropologists and archaeologists can expect a median annual salary of $63,800, with job growth ticking up at 8%, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is thought to be an easy college major because it focuses on practical and straightforward concepts related to law enforcement, crime, and justice systems, with less emphasis on advanced theoretical or technical work.

Criminal justice majors learn about different aspects of the criminal justice system. They study corrections, forensic psychology, law enforcement, paralegal studies, and criminology. Popular classes include Fundamentals of Civil Liberties, Courts and Social Policy, and the Philosophy of Punishment. Once you graduate, you'll be well-qualified to work as a police officer or a private investigator.

Typically, students who have strong communication and critical thinking skills are best suited to study criminal justice. Attention to detail and research abilities are also valuable assets. 

English

English is often viewed as an easier major because it centers on reading and analyzing literature, which many students find enjoyable and personally meaningful rather than challenging. However, while knowing and speaking English will help you as an English major, it doesn't mean you'll never have to study!

English majors do more than learn how to speak or write in English. They study the rules and development of the English language while learning how to write, speak, and communicate at a high level. English majors often go on to work as writers and editors, and many find jobs within media or publishing. 

Students who enjoy reading and analyzing the use of language in rhetoric or film could do well as English majors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, English language and literature teachers' median annual pay is $60,560 - but you can also pursue work as a writer, editor, and more.

Communications

Communications is considered an accessible major due to its focus on real-world skills like public speaking and media analysis, which are often intuitive and practical to learn.

With a communications degree, you'll learn more about how people can best interact and share information. As digital media has evolved and the demand for such skills has increased, communications majors have become more complex. In the past, they focused on traditional print communication and public speaking. Now, they also emphasize communicating through online mediums like social media.

Communications graduates will know how to effectively use communications in marketing as they build brand awareness for the companies and organizations that employ them. They can also work in publishing, advertising, and media. Students with strong interpersonal skills and are comfortable with sharing ideas and thoughts with others could do well as communications majors. 

A communications degree can be a great alternative to a business degree for those with business career goals, giving students the tools to crush it in corporate settings by managing marketing strategies and streamlining company messaging. 

As far as earning potential, communications jobs are keeping pace with average job growth, and offer a median annual wage of $66,320, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Education

Education is seen as a manageable major because it emphasizes hands-on teaching strategies and classroom management, with a focus on real-world application instead of complex theories (like those covered in science and tech fields, for instance).

If you are passionate about sharing your knowledge and shaping the next generation, then consider majoring in education. Education majors usually specialize based on the age they hope to teach and the discipline they want to cover. 

Most education programs usually end with a practicum or internship where students gain hands-on experience in the classroom. Keep in mind that although this is one of the easier majors, you may need a teaching certificate in addition to your bachelor's degree, depending on the state where you plan to teach. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, education jobs bring in about $59,940 per year.

History

History can feel less challenging for students who enjoy storytelling and analyzing past events, as it often involves essays and research rather than technical problem-solving.

As a history major, you'll learn how to analyze past events and make educated guesses about what might happen. General history degrees exist, but students can also focus on specific geographic areas or time periods. Sometimes, history majors will pursue law degrees after graduation, while others may go on to teach or work in research. 

If you enjoy learning about past events and analyzing data and culture to understand what's going on at a deeper level, you may love life as a history major. Historians are also looking at a 6% job growth rate - faster than average - and a median annual salary of $72,890, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sociology

Sociology explores commonly familiar social patterns and relationships, often through relatable case studies and less intensive quantitative analysis. 

As business becomes increasingly global and expands beyond cultural and national boundaries, sociology degrees are more important than ever. Sociology majors study how various topics, such as gender, age, social class, and ethnicity, can impact how people live and work together. 

Sociology students can work in human resources, marketing, or public relations after graduating. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sociologists score big with a 7% job growth rate and a median annual salary of $101,770, both beating the average.

Creative Writing

Creative writing is often deemed an easy major for students with a natural knack for storytelling and a passion for self-expression, as it allows for creative freedom over rigid academic rules.

If you dream of writing novels, then we encourage you to think about a creative writing degree. In this liberal arts major, you'll build your writing skills by learning to write in different forms, genres, and styles. You'll also be exposed to different conventions and techniques other successful writers use. 

Creative writers and authors have a steady job outlook with a 5% growth rate and a median annual wage of $73,690, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Social Work

Social work is fairly accessible because it combines practical skills and empathy-driven learning with a focus on fieldwork rather than highly theoretical coursework.

Social workers help people in challenging real-life situations. They can work in schools, healthcare, government centers, and many other locations. Some social workers need a license to practice in their state, which often requires a master's degree. However, you can find a non-clinical job in social work with only a bachelor's degree.

As a social work student, you'll take classes in things like human behavior, case management, and social welfare. You'll also learn effective interviewing techniques and group processes. By the time you finish your program, you'll know how to work with individuals and groups while advancing important causes.

Social workers are in demand, with a 7% job growth rate and a median annual salary of $58,380, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Honorable mentions

If you feel like the vibes aren't right with any of the above degrees, here are a few more that may spark your interest:

• Foreign Languages
• Graphic Design
• Linguistics
• Religious Studies
• Social Sciences
• Special Education

If being a special education or religious studies major isn't for you, then you might consider being an art major or a music major. Students who already know how to play an instrument may enjoy being a music major since they're familiar with many of the concepts. 

Many humanities majors are sometimes easier than fields of study that require high-level math or science. That's because they focus on critical thinking, writing, and analysis rather than requiring the technical precision and problem-solving skills demanded by advanced math or science courses.

Different college degrees to pursue

So far, we've talked about specific majors, but perhaps you have questions about the different types of degrees. Now, let's answer some of them. 

Associate's degree

An associate's degree usually takes two years to complete. Students who get associate's degrees can enter the workforce after graduation or transfer to a four-year college to finish their bachelor's. They are a great option for students who want to learn more about a specific topic or focus but aren't ready to commit to a four-year program. 

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degrees require four to five years to complete. Most bachelor's degrees include several hours of general education courses along with classes specific to your major. There are multiple types of bachelor's degrees, including Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees. 

Once you finish a bachelor's degree, you can look for a job in your field, or you can apply to a graduate program to work on a master's or doctoral degree. We'll talk about these types of programs next. 

Master's degree

A master's degree is an advanced graduate degree program that helps students expand their knowledge beyond what they learned in their bachelor's program. Master's degrees can take two to four years to complete, depending on their complexity and the pace at which you take classes. Many people will attend graduate school part-time while working full-time, meaning it may take longer to finish their degree.

Like bachelor's degrees, there are multiple types of master's degrees. Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees are fairly common, as are Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. 

Doctorate degree

In most fields, a doctorate is the most advanced degree you can pursue. Most doctoral programs require two to four years of coursework in addition to a final thesis or project. You can expect to spend five to eight years working on your doctoral degree.

Most people are familiar with Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. A Ph.D. is a research-based degree that requires you to perform extensive research as you write your thesis. Other doctoral degrees, such as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Juridical Science (JD), are practical application-based degrees that prepare students for hands-on work in their fields. 

Use College Rover to find the best college for your chosen major

While there are many types of degrees and majors to choose from, we hope that the information you learned from this article helps you choose. The easiest college degrees may not lead to the highest-paying career opportunities, but you'll still be able to pursue meaningful career (and financial) goals by choosing any of the fields of study you learned about.

We're happy to continue to help in any way we can. College Rover can help you research schools, programs, and more through our extensive online database and easy-to-use platform. You can even build a spreadsheet to share with family and friends who may want to weigh in on your decision (assuming you want to hear what they think, of course).

Give College Rover a try today. We think you're going to have an awesome time exploring your future options.

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.