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Question:
What are the most popular majors for postsecondary students?

Response:
Of the 1,601,000 bachelor’s degrees conferred in 2008–09, the greatest numbers of degrees were conferred in the fields of business (348,000); social sciences and history (169,000); health sciences (120,000); and education (102,000). At the master’s degree level, the greatest numbers of degrees were conferred in the fields of education (179,000) and business (168,000). At the doctor’s degree level, the greatest number of degrees were conferred in the fields of health professions and related clinical sciences (12,100); education (9,000); engineering (7,900); biological and biomedical sciences (7,000); psychology (5,500); and physical sciences (5,000).

In recent years, the numbers of bachelor’s degrees conferred have followed patterns that differed significantly by field of study. While the number of degrees conferred increased by 33 percent overall between 1998–99 and 2008–09, there was substantial variation among the different fields of study, as well as shifts in the patterns of change during this time period. The number of bachelor’s degrees conferred in the combined fields of engineering and engineering technologies increased 8 percent between 1998–99 and 2003–04, and then increased a further 8 percent between 2003–04 and 2008–09. In contrast, the number of degrees conferred in the health professions declined by 13 percent between 1998–99 and 2003–04, but then rose 63 percent between 2003–04 and 2008–09.

Similarly, the number of degrees conferred in biological sciences was 5 percent lower in 2003–04 than in 1998–99, but then increased by 31 percent between 2003–04 and 2008–09; and the number conferred in the physical sciences was 2 percent lower in 2003–04 than in 1998–99, but then increased by 25 percent between 2003–04 and 2008–09. Some technical fields experienced a contrasting pattern. After an increase of 95 percent between 1998–99 and 2003–04, the number of degrees conferred in computer and information sciences decreased by 36 percent between 2003–04 and 2008–09. Other fields with sizable numbers of degrees (over 5,000 in 2003–04) that showed increases of over 30 percent between 2003–04 and 2008–09 included security and protective services (48 percent) and parks, recreation, and leisure studies (43 percent).

http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=37

The percentage of engineers is (0.493 percent) (1 out of 202 graduates are engineers.)

Almost 22 percent all have business degrees. (1 out of 5 graduates at random have a business degree.)

MOST popular masters degrees:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_1...duate-degrees/

Most Popular Master's Degrees for MenBusiness Administration and Management 22.3%
Electrical, Electronics & Communication Engineering 2.8%
Education Leadership & Administration 2.7%
Business/Commerce 2.5%
Education 2.2%
Accounting 2.0%
Public Administration 1.6%
Computer Science 1.5%
Mechanical Engineering 1.5%
Computer & Information Sciences 1.4%

Most Popular Master's Degree for WomenBusiness Administration 11.4%
Education 5.1%
Social Work 4.2%
Elementary Education 3.8%
Curriculum and Instruction 3.6%
Educational Leadership & Administration 3.3%
Special Education 3.0%
Counselor Education/School Counseling 2.6%
Nursing/Registered Nurse 2.1%
Reading Teacher Education 2.0%

Most Popular Doctorate/Professional Degrees for MenLaw 31.5%
Medicine (MD) 10.8%
Pharmacy 5.3%
Dentistry 3.5%
Physical Therapy 2.8%
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (DO) 2.4%
Chiropractic 2.1%
Electrical, Elec. & Communications 2.0%
Chemistry 2.0%
Educational Leadership & Administration 1.6%

Most Popular Doctorate/Professional Degrees for WomenLaw 25.6%
Medicine (MD) 9.9%
Pharmacy 9.2%
Physical Therapy/Therapist 6.5%
Dentistry 2.9%
Educational Leadership & Administration 2.7%
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy 2.4%
Veterinary Medicine 2.3%
Clinical Psychology 2.2%
Psychology 1.4%
Lynn O'Shaughnessy is the author of The College Solution and she also write a college blog for TheCollegeSolutionBlog.