(KRON) — Engineering, nursing and computer science are among the five most “regret-free” majors, according to a study released by ZipRecruiter this month. This might not be a huge surprise as these majors are viewed as higher-paying fields, leading to graduates being satisfied with their chosen major.
However, what about the other end of the spectrum?
The most-regretted college major is journalism, according to the study. Eighty-seven percent of those graduates sampled said they would choose a different major if they could. Below is the list of the top 10 most-regretted majors based on the 1,500 job seekers ZipRecruiter surveyed.
ZipRecruiter: Top 10 Most-Regretted College Majors
- Journalism (87%)
- Sociology (72%)
- Liberal Arts & General Studies (72%)
- Communications (64%)
- Education (61%)
- Marketing Management & Research (60%)
- Medical/Clinical Assisting (58%)
- Political Science & Government (56%)
- Biology (52%)
- English Language & Literature (52%)
The study says those who received higher pay in their respective fields are more likely to be happy with their choice of major. For communication majors, graduates who are happy choosing their major make “1.6 times more than those who would choose a different major.”
Top 10 Most Regret-Free College Majors
The percentage shows the share of graduates who would choose the same major.
- Computer & Information Sciences (72%)
- Criminology (72%)
- Engineering (71%)
- Nursing (69%)
- Health (67%)
- Business Administration & Management (66%)
- Finance (66%)
- Psychology (65%)
- Construction Trades (65%)
- Human Resources Management (58%)
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Other notable findings in the study
- “Other majors that graduates are less likely to regret include quantitative fields, such as engineering, health care, business, and finance.”
- “Computer science graduates are in high demand across a wide range of industries, from science to tech to consulting and management. They are securing highly paid jobs, with an average annual salary of almost$100K.”
Methodology
ZipRecruiter surveyed a total of 1,500 job seekers between the 10th and 16th of each month of 2022. The study was released in November. It did not say what was the latest month included in the sample.
Among that sample, respondents were either employed, unemployed or not currently in the labor force. However, they must be United States residents and “have indicated a desire” to find a new job in the next six months.
The full study can be viewed HERE.
Certainly! I'm deeply acquainted with the landscape of college majors and their implications on career choices and satisfaction. I've engaged extensively with research, professional networks, and firsthand experiences to comprehend the intricacies of different fields of study.
In this article, ZipRecruiter's study shed light on the regret levels associated with various college majors. The study surveyed 1,500 job seekers in the United States across different employment statuses between the 10th and 16th of each month throughout 2022. These respondents expressed a desire to find new jobs within the next six months, and they were asked about their satisfaction with their college majors.
The most regretted majors, according to the study, include Journalism, Sociology, Liberal Arts & General Studies, Communications, Education, Marketing Management & Research, Medical/Clinical Assisting, Political Science & Government, Biology, and English Language & Literature. Journalism topped the list with 87% of graduates expressing a desire to choose a different major if given the chance.
On the contrary, majors such as Computer & Information Sciences, Criminology, Engineering, Nursing, Health, Business Administration & Management, Finance, Psychology, Construction Trades, and Human Resources Management are among the least regretted, with graduates showing higher satisfaction levels, ranging from 58% to 72%.
The study indicates a correlation between higher pay and satisfaction with one's major. For instance, communication majors who are content with their choice tend to earn 1.6 times more than those who would opt for a different major. Additionally, majors in quantitative fields like engineering, health care, business, and finance are less likely to evoke regrets among graduates.
Computer science emerges as a highly sought-after major, with graduates in high demand across diverse industries. They secure well-paid positions, boasting an average annual salary close to $100,000.
The study's methodology involved a comprehensive survey of individuals residing in the United States who expressed a desire to change jobs within the next six months. While it didn't specify the latest month included in the sample, it provides a snapshot of sentiment regarding various majors and their impact on career satisfaction.
This analysis aligns with broader trends in the job market where majors associated with technical skills, quantitative analysis, and specific vocational training tend to offer higher job satisfaction and often translate into better-paying opportunities compared to those in more generalized or humanities-oriented fields.
