The best major for you is one that leads to work you will actually enjoy. The most reliable way to find it is to start from your interests, then look at the majors whose careers match them.
This guide shows which majors fit each of the six interest types used by career counselors (the Holland Code, or RIASEC), based on U.S. government data. If you do not know your type yet, take the College Major Quiz first: it uses the official O*NET Interest Profiler questions and ranks majors for you in about 12 minutes.
How we matched majors to interests
- The U.S. Department of Education links each college major (CIP code) to the careers it prepares students for.
- O*NET rates every career on the six interest types, on a scale from 1 to 7.
- We gave each major the average interest profile of the careers it is linked to, and kept the 622 majors linked to at least five careers with full data, so one unusual career cannot decide the result.
The lists below show the majors with the highest score for each type. A score near 7 means the careers the major leads to are very strongly about that kind of work.
Realistic: you like building, fixing and hands-on work
People with Realistic interests like practical, physical work with tools, machines, materials, plants or animals.
| Major | Realistic score | Linked careers |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology | 7.00 | 7 |
| Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | 6.94 | 13 |
| Cabinetmaking and Millwork | 6.92 | 5 |
| Power Plant Technology | 6.87 | 6 |
| Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | 6.86 | 12 |
Most of these are certificate or associate degree programs, often at community and technical colleges. Compare them with four-year options in our guide to trade school vs college, and browse Realistic careers.
Investigative: you like research and solving problems
People with Investigative interests like ideas, analysis, science and math.
| Major | Investigative score | Linked careers |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Molecular Biology | 6.87 | 5 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 6.76 | 6 |
| Mycology | 6.71 | 5 |
| Microbial and Eukaryotic Genetics | 6.71 | 5 |
| Marine Sciences | 6.59 | 14 |
Biology and life science majors dominate because they lead to research careers. Many of those careers expect a graduate degree, so check the education level on each career's profile. Browse Investigative careers.
Artistic: you like creating and designing
People with Artistic interests like self-expression, design, writing and performance, and work without strict routines.
| Major | Artistic score | Linked careers |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Arts | 6.40 | 5 |
| Graphic Design | 6.27 | 6 |
| Design and Visual Communications, General | 5.97 | 6 |
| Broadcast Journalism | 5.61 | 6 |
| Musical Theatre | 5.58 | 7 |
Artistic majors lead to careers where a portfolio often matters as much as a degree. Build one while you study. Browse Artistic careers.
Social: you like helping and teaching people
People with Social interests like teaching, caring for, advising and supporting others.
Teacher education majors take the top spots: 20 of them, including special education, bilingual education and teaching English as a second language, score the maximum of 7.0. Outside education, the highest are:
| Major | Social score | Linked careers |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work, Other | 6.63 | 5 |
| Social Work | 6.42 | 7 |
| Child Development | 6.04 | 7 |
| Registered Nursing | 6.04 | 6 |
| Adult Health Nursing | 5.96 | 7 |
Teaching, social work and nursing all require a state license after graduation, so the major is closely tied to the career. Browse Social careers.
Enterprising: you like leading and persuading
People with Enterprising interests like starting projects, leading people, selling and making decisions.
| Major | Enterprising score | Linked careers |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration | 6.28 | 13 |
| Social Entrepreneurship | 6.27 | 9 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management, General | 6.17 | 5 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 6.12 | 8 |
| Retail Management | 6.05 | 5 |
Business and management majors are flexible: many lead to a wide range of careers. Browse Enterprising careers.
Conventional: you like order, data and clear procedures
People with Conventional interests like organizing information, working with numbers and following clear standards.
| Major | Conventional score | Linked careers |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology and Bookkeeping | 6.95 | 5 |
| General Office Occupations and Clerical Services | 6.69 | 9 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services | 6.67 | 6 |
| Accounting | 6.38 | 7 |
| Data Visualization | 5.95 | 5 |
Accounting stands out because it leads to a licensed profession (CPA) with a clear path. Data visualization is a newer major that combines Conventional work with Investigative analysis (it scores 5.95 and 5.72). Browse Conventional careers.
Source for all tables: CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk (U.S. Department of Education) and O*NET 31.0 interest ratings; our calculation.
Most people are a mix
Few people are only one type. Your Holland Code is usually your top three areas, for example "SAE" (Social, Artistic, Enterprising). Majors that fit two of your top areas are often a better choice than majors that fit only your strongest one. The College Major Quiz does this automatically by comparing your whole profile, plus two personality traits (openness and conscientiousness), with every major.
Then check the practical side
Interests narrow your list. Before you decide, check each finalist on:
- Careers and pay. Look at the careers each major leads to and their BLS median pay.
- Training length. Some careers need a graduate degree or a license after the major.
- Flexibility. Broad majors keep more doors open; specialized majors give a faster, clearer path.
- Your strengths. If the core courses of a major are a struggle, factor that in early.
Our guide on how to choose a major walks through these steps.
Common questions
What is the easiest way to find my major?
Take the College Major Quiz, then take the intro course for your top two or three majors in your first year. Your grades and how much you enjoy the work will tell you more than any list.
What if my top majors are very different?
That is common and usually means you have two strong interest areas. Look for majors that combine them, such as data visualization (Conventional and Investigative) or public health (Social and Investigative), or pair a major with a minor.
Can I change later?
Yes. About 30% of students who declare a major change it within three years (NCES). See should I change my major.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.
- O*NET 31.0 Database (interest ratings), U.S. Department of Labor.
- NCES Data Point 2018-434, Beginning College Students Who Change Their Majors Within 3 Years of Enrollment.