The Top 5 Fastest-Growing Majors in America

College planning can be difficult and time-consuming, especially as you approach deadlines and feel pressured to commit to a specific direction. Looking at prevailing trends can inspire you and help you realize that you’re not alone — around the world, other students like you are tackling the same tough decisions.

Economic conditions, social expectations, cultural shifts, and more cause some majors to grow or shrink in popularity over time as students strive to make the right choice for them. With that in mind, let’s explore the top degrees in demand in 2025.

How Does This Help?

Why should the fastest-growing majors matter to you? Here are a few compelling reasons to consider this information during your college planning.

It can be hard to decide on a major.

Choosing a major is a momentous decision. For students weighing their college options, the decision of a major can not only affect what they study over the next four plus years, but also where. Even students who already have a specific college in mind must choose from a list of options that can range from dozens to hundreds. It’s easy to get stuck in uncertainty.

These majors are popular because they connect to emerging or stable fields.

Now more than ever, students are making decisions about their college education by prioritizing return on investment (ROI). They are seeking high-paying, stable fields where job prospects are consistently good, like healthcare; or trying to get ahead of the crowd when it comes to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, which will create new opportunities in the near future.

When your peers are flocking to certain majors, it’s worth asking, “What do they know that I don’t?”

Colleges are likely to dedicate more resources to these majors in coming years. 

Like students, colleges make decisions about where to allocate their finite resources based on return on investment and prevailing trends. When certain programs see a bump in enrollment, it can be a green light for further investment. Students and faculty within those programs benefit from a more robust learning environment.

Exploring the Fastest-Growing Majors

Click below to jump to a specific section or scroll down to read them all.

A University with Options

The degrees on this list all have an equivalent program offered here at USF. Each section below includes details about “the USF way” so you can learn more about our approach.

USF has over 240 undergraduate majors and concentrations to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. As a preeminent research university, we’re committed to providing extraordinary opportunities for research and experiential learning. At USF, you’ll gain knowledge and practical skills that will help you stand out after graduation.

If you’re struggling to choose a major, we’ve got another solution you should check out. In our Exploratory Curriculum, you can get a taste of a few different majors before you officially decide on one.

#5: Architectural & Building Sciences

Every building, from your house to your high school to the incredible Judy Genshaft Honors College building at the USF Tampa campus, started as a dream — an idea in someone’s head. An architect drafted a plan to make that dream real, carefully considering dozens of factors like safety, budget, aesthetics, comfort and more throughout the process.

Architects are artists, and famed architects like Frank Lloyd Wright have had a tremendous influence on our culture. If you’re a creative person with a collaborative nature, strong attention to detail, and tolerance for critical feedback, architecture may be a great fit for you!

What You Learn

Students majoring in this discipline gain an understanding of:

• History and theory of design: Architecture has been practiced for thousands of years, and many building techniques that were pioneered by ancient societies, like the Egyptians, Romans, or Incans, still hold up today. Draw from the deep well of knowledge passed down by experienced architects before you and apply your inspirations to modern projects.
• Advanced math and science: Specific requirements may vary, but degree-holders are usually expected to be proficient in calculus, trigonometry, algebra, and physics at a minimum.
• Different building materials: Learn about the advantages and limitations of various materials. This working knowledge informs design decisions.
• Technical design: Modeling is an essential part of architecture. Through hands-on training, develop proficiency in architectural drawing (digitally and by hand) and Computer-Aided Design (CAD).

Job Prospects 

Here are a few career paths that a degree in architecture prepares you for:

• A licensed architect who joins an architecture firm or starts one of your own
• An architectural drafter who works on designs under an architect’s supervision
• A city planner who decides how a city will be set up (think SimCity, but I.R.L.)

Architecture can be a difficult field to break into because the total number of jobs available each year is relatively low and degree programs can be highly selective. As an occupation, architecture is projected to grow by 8% over the next 10 years, about twice the average rate of growth across all occupations.

The USF Way

USF offers a unique path to earn a degree in Architecture. The School of Architecture & Community Design (SACD) does not offer an Architecture bachelor's degree, only a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree.

Instead, SACD offers a Pre-Architecture pathway for interested students. To be admitted to this program, students must first complete their general education requirements (60 hours) along with coursework in calculus, physics, and CAD, meeting minimum grade requirements.

Additional pre-requisites are required, but an associate degree in architecture allows a student to waive them. That associate degree can be earned at many community colleges and state schools before transferring to USF.

#4: General Intelligence

Technology and globalization have made the world significantly more complex and, some would argue, dangerous. To guard against potential threats and enforce the law, governments and corporations turn to intelligence analysts for guidance. The intelligence field offers a chance to make impactful strategic decisions based on the best information available.

Intelligence suggests spycraft, subterfuge, and drama, à la James Bond or “Mission Impossible.” In the real world, even lacking extreme motorbike stunts and submarine cars, the intelligence field can offer high responsibility, privileged information, and international travel — exciting work that might also appeal to a student’s patriotic sensibilities.

What You Learn

Students majoring in this discipline gain an understanding of:

• Evaluating complex information: Use critical thinking and advanced methodologies to determine the credibility and usefulness of intelligence information.
• The latest intelligence technology: Computers and networks are vital tools for collecting information and analyzing it to find patterns. Learn to use current tools effectively and quickly adapt to new tools as they emerge.
• Risk assessment and threat evaluation: Intelligence personnel must be able to identify, evaluate, and respond to various potential threats.
• Communication and reporting strategies: Learn strategies for effectively delivering findings and making actionable recommendations.
• Ethical considerations: This field may ask you to walk fine lines between right and wrong and challenge your moral convictions, so a degree in intelligence often includes deep examination of ethics.

Intelligence may also intersect with criminal justice, cybersecurity, or business in a multidisciplinary approach.

Job Prospects

Here are a few career paths that a degree in intelligence prepares you for:

• An intelligence analyst for the government, producing actionable insights for the military, law enforcement, and policymakers
• A business intelligence analyst, helping companies navigate market challenges and predict market trends
• A security intelligence professional who protects corporate assets and information systems 

The intelligence analyst occupation is projected to grow by 3.12% over the next ten years, slightly slower than average, but private sector jobs show a much more rapid pace of growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the information security analyst occupation — securing corporate computer networks — to grow by a whopping 33% over the next 10 years, over eight times the average rate of growth across all occupations. 

The USF Way

USF offers a Minor in Intelligence Studies that complements undergraduate majors like Political Science, International Studies, Foreign Language studies, Criminology, Business, and Social or Behavioral Sciences. It acquaints students with the structure and function of the U.S. intelligence community and covers all the topics listed above.

It’s also worth noting that USF has an ongoing relationship with MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, a U.S. military intelligence hub. This opens the possibility for remarkable internship and employment opportunities for students studying Intelligence at our university.

#3: Sports Communication

The global stage of the Olympics, the Madness every March, and the lightning-fast Stanley Cup Finals: These sport events are a huge part of our collective culture. It’s no wonder ESPN is one of the most popular television networks and sports reporters have social media followings in the tens of millions.

Do you have an affinity for sports? Are you a former athlete or passionate fan? In sports communication, you may find yourself in the front row, watching history unfold.

What You Learn

Students majoring in this discipline gain an understanding of:

• Written and verbal communication: After all, communication is right there in the name! Learn writing, broadcasting, journalism, and public relations. Your assignments will put these skills to the test.
• Communication theories: Peek behind the curtain to see why certain strategies are effective and others fall short, based on scientific research.
• The sports-media complex: Explore the media landscape and cultural impact of sports. Dive into the rich history that made sports cherished pastimes — and big business.
• Event coverage: Engage in experiential learning, covering real sports events as a student reporter.

Job Prospects

Here are a few career paths that a degree in sports communication prepares you for:

• A reporter who covers sports for local or national media
• An agent who represents professional athletes
• A radio or television announcer providing play-by-play or color commentary
• A public relations or marketing specialist who develops campaigns and ad buys 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupational category of news analysts, reporters, and journalists is expected to shrink by 6% over the next 10 years. However, the market for public relations specialists is expected to grow by 6% over the same period, faster than the average.

Consider that sports media is a colossal industry. According to Kearney, a global management consulting firm, the global sports industry is worth between $480-$620 billion. In the United States alone, the sports media market is valued at about $30 billion — and growing.

The USF Way

Tampa is a national sports hub with a proud tradition of success — the perfect place for an aspiring sports communicator to start their journey.

At USF, the Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with two concentrations: Broadcast News (writing and presenting) and Broadcast Production (the technical side). We also offer a Bachelor of Science degree that integrates Advertising and Public Relations.

Ask an advisor about course and internship options that give experience in sports media! For example, student interns from USF have streamed more than 180 American Athletic Conference sporting events on ESPN+, gaining valuable experience in front of and behind the camera.

#2: Systems and Networking Management

The world runs on computer systems and networks, from the point of sale at your local coffee shop to the colossal data centers at Amazon. With such complex technology, it’s important to have trained professionals around who understand how these systems are set up and how to keep them running reliably.

If you have a knack for computers — or a keen mind for problem solving — you’ll do well in this essential field. 

What You Learn

Students majoring in this discipline gain an understanding of:

• Hardware and software performance requirements: Every organization’s system and network needs are different. Learn to determine the right parts and software for the job.
• Local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN): Gain working knowledge that will help you install, configure, and maintain both kinds of networks.
• System migration and upgrading: Learn to take an organization’s users, data, content, and functionality and get it working on new, better-performing hardware or software.
• Troubleshooting and outage control: Develop the skills to diagnose problems and apply solutions that keep computer systems running.

Job Prospects

Here are a few career paths that a degree in systems and networking management prepares you for:

• A computer network support specialist who performs maintenance to detect performance issues
• An information security analyst who safeguards important or sensitive data
• A computer network architect who designs system infrastructure and implements hardware and software solutions
• A range of other information technology (IT) roles

Information technology jobs are expected to grow by 14% over the next 10 years, significantly faster than the average across all occupations. This growth is somewhat uneven across specific job titles, though; information security analyst jobs are projected to grow an incredible 33%. This reflects increasing prioritization of cybersecurity in private and public sectors.

The USF Way

With USF’s new Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing comes a renewed commitment to equip the next generation of interdisciplinary experts to meet growing market demands. We currently offer four bachelor’s degree programs and will soon add two more:

• Information Technology, BSIT
• Computer Science, BSCS
• Computer Engineering, BS
• Cybersecurity, BSCyS
• Artificial Intelligence, BSAI (planned for fall 2025)
• Computer Science and Engineering, BSCSE (planned)

In addition to a high-quality, high-value IT education at USF, students can explore internship and employment opportunities within Tampa Bay, a hub for technology companies and particularly cybersecurity.

#1: Learning Sciences

Learning Sciences is the fastest-growing major in America in 2025. Education is a hot topic in our country: Public debates rage about what’s going right, what’s going wrong, and what kind of changes should be made. At the same time, teachers are overworked, underpaid, and frequently placed in the uncomfortable political spotlight.

Students interested in the goals and practice of education without the drama are turning to Learning Science, which studies the ways people teach and learn. If you dream of teaching beyond a K-12 classroom, this pathway may be just what you’re looking for.

What You Learn

Students majoring in this discipline gain an understanding of:

• Theories of learning: Discover the mechanics of learning and how to design effective lessons based on research.
• Learning in different environments: Think beyond the classroom to promote learning in a wide range of social contexts.
• Curriculum design: Determine what to teach and how to assess progress.
• Education technology: Learn about the latest tools that innovative educators use to design lessons and teach.

Job Prospects

Here are a few career paths that a degree in Learning Science prepares you for:

• A learning coordinator for a museum, non-profit, or other community-based, informal education program
• An instructional designer who develops and implements a curriculum, recommending textbooks, techniques, and technologies
• A project manager at a company that develops professional training resources, who may use immersive technology like augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR)
• A post-secondary Education instructor who teaches in a college Education department

The USF Way

According to Dr. Beth Wilt, who serves as both the Assistant Director of Field and Clinical Education and Clinical Coordinator for the College of Education on the USF St. Petersburg campus, the Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies (BXS) is equivalent to a degree in Learning Science — and likely a better option.

“While Learning Sciences is often more formal and research-intensive, BXS is a practice-oriented degree that emphasizes real-world application in informal education settings, community-based programs, and curriculum development and consulting roles,” Dr. Wilt said. “It’s a strong fit for students passionate about making a difference through education, but not necessarily interested in teacher certification.”

With few comparable programs across higher education, our BXS program is growing rapidly. It offers flexibility, opportunities to put theory into practice through hands-on learning, and a wide range of career prospects. Students are allowed to customize their coursework to their interests and select their own internship placement sites. “We have exciting partnerships like Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the Police Athletic League, and MacDonald Training Center,” said Dr. Wilt, “along with local museums, art galleries, and other informal learning environments. These partnerships help our students build strong professional networks while making a real impact.”

She’s excited to see more societal value placed on informal education, and intrigued by the variety of unique journeys alumni take after graduation, empowered by their Educational Studies degree: “It opens doors, builds confidence, and helps students see that there are so many ways to make an impact through education. Even students who were struggling in more traditional teaching programs flourish in the BXS program.”

Dr. Wilt concluded, “We want to position BXS as an exemplar program — one that not only prepares students for meaningful careers but also stands out nationally for its innovative and community-driven approach.”

Apply to USF now! We’d love to see if you’re a fit here. If you have any questions about our programs or need help with the application process, contact us at admissions@usf.edu or call 813-974-3350.