Bachelor’s degree recipients face a jobs and debt reality that is anything but abstract, with 70% graduating with student loan debt and an average balance of $35,000 among borrowers. At the same time, U.S. colleges are feeding a massive pipeline, with 1.9 million degrees awarded in 2021 and STEM enrollment at 15.2% of undergraduates. If you compare completion timelines, earnings, and major demand signals like internships and job postings, you start to see why choosing a major can feel like more than just academics.
Key Takeaways
- 1.9 million number of degrees awarded by U.S. postsecondary institutions (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral combined) in 2021 for all fields (NCES completions overview).
- 19.6 million total undergraduate enrollment in the United States (fall 2022 enrollment).
- 14.3 million number of students enrolled in postsecondary degree-granting institutions in the United States in fall 2022 (NCES fall enrollment count).
- $66,000 median annual earnings for bachelor’s degree holders in the United States in 2022 (ACS-based, by education).
- 34% of undergraduates in degree-granting institutions attended public 4-year colleges in fall 2022
- In 2022, 46% of undergraduates were enrolled in public institutions (IPEDS enrollment mix, fall 2022)
- In 2022, 24% of undergraduates were enrolled at community colleges (IPEDs enrollment mix)
- 51% of first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking undergraduates at public 4-year institutions were in STEM fields (broad STEM grouping) in 2021
- In 2022/23, there were 1,057,188 international students enrolled in the United States (Open Doors 2023)
- In 2022/23, 31.6% of international students were enrolled in graduate degree programs (Open Doors 2023)
- 2.7% annual growth in the number of bachelor’s degrees in computer science awarded from 2017 to 2021 (CIP 11.0701), per NCES Digest of Education Statistics
- 69% of hiring managers report internship experience is important for entry-level hiring (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2024 Job Outlook survey)
- 71% of NACE member employers in 2024 report they plan to hire bachelor’s degree candidates for entry-level positions
- 6 in 10 employers (60%) use job postings to determine major requirements for applicants (LinkedIn Economic Graph report, 2024)
- In 2022, 70% of bachelor’s degree recipients graduated with student loan debt (Federal Reserve Bank of New York analysis of New York Fed student debt data)
With strong earnings and outcomes, most students still face timely completion challenges, debt, and major decisions.
Related reading
01 · Category
Enrollment & Completion8 stats
01
1.9 million number of degrees awarded by U.S. postsecondary institutions (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral combined) in 2021 for all fields (NCES completions overview).[1]
02
19.6 million total undergraduate enrollment in the United States (fall 2022 enrollment).[1]
03
14.3 million number of students enrolled in postsecondary degree-granting institutions in the United States in fall 2022 (NCES fall enrollment count).[1]
04
3.1 million associate degrees conferred in the United States in 2022 (NCES).[1]
05
64% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who completed a bachelor’s degree within 6 years (2016 cohort, national average).[1]
06
27% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who completed an associate degree within 3 years (NCES completion indicator for community colleges).[1]
07
20% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who did not complete any degree within 6 years (NCES completion indicator).[1]
08
8% percentage of bachelor’s degrees in 2022 awarded in “engineering-related technologies” (CIP-based distribution).[1]
Interpretation
Enrollment & Completion Interpretation
Although the United States enrolled 19.6 million undergraduates in fall 2022, completion is uneven as only 64% of first time, full time bachelor’s degree seekers finished within 6 years while 20% did not complete any degree within 6 years.
02 · Category
Earnings & Outcomes1 stats
01
$66,000median annual earnings for bachelor’s degree holders in the United States in 2022 (ACS-based, by education).[2]
Interpretation
Earnings & Outcomes Interpretation
In the Earnings & Outcomes category, bachelor’s degree holders earned a median $66,000 per year in the United States in 2022, underscoring the tangible earning potential associated with college education.
03 · Category
Enrollment Mix5 stats
01
34% of undergraduates in degree-granting institutions attended public 4-year colleges in fall 2022[1]
02
In 2022, 46% of undergraduates were enrolled in public institutions (IPEDS enrollment mix, fall 2022)[1]
03
In 2022, 24% of undergraduates were enrolled at community colleges (IPEDs enrollment mix)[1]
04
In 2022, 3.1 million students were enrolled in non-degree programs at degree-granting institutions (IPEDS fall enrollment for non-degree seekers)[1]
05
In the 2022–23 academic year, 73% of colleges offered at least one open educational resource (OpenStax/OF education provider report, 2023)[3]
Interpretation
Enrollment Mix Interpretation
For the Enrollment Mix, public and community options dominate undergraduate study with 46% of students in public institutions and 24% in community colleges, while only 34% attended public four-year colleges in fall 2022, showing how different public pathways shape where students actually enroll.
04 · Category
Student Demographics4 stats
01
51% of first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking undergraduates at public 4-year institutions were in STEM fields (broad STEM grouping) in 2021[4]
02
In 2022/23, there were 1,057,188 international students enrolled in the United States (Open Doors 2023)[5]
03
In 2022/23, 31.6% of international students were enrolled in graduate degree programs (Open Doors 2023)[5]
04
In 2023, 27% of U.S. adults with bachelor’s degrees reported changing majors at some point (Survey by YouGov, 2023)[6]
Interpretation
Student Demographics Interpretation
Student demographics show strong STEM concentration and international influence, with 51% of first-time full-time bachelor’s students at public four-year institutions in 2021 studying in broad STEM fields while international enrollment in 2022 to 2023 reached 1,057,188 students and 31.6% of them were in graduate programs.
05 · Category
Degree Production1 stats
01
2.7% annual growth in the number of bachelor’s degrees in computer science awarded from 2017 to 2021 (CIP 11.0701), per NCES Digest of Education Statistics[1]
Interpretation
Degree Production Interpretation
From 2017 to 2021, bachelor’s degree production in computer science grew at an annual rate of 2.7%, showing steady expansion in the number of degrees awarded for this field under the Degree Production category.
06 · Category
Employer Demand3 stats
01
69% of hiring managers report internship experience is important for entry-level hiring (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2024 Job Outlook survey)[7]
02
71% of NACE member employers in 2024 report they plan to hire bachelor’s degree candidates for entry-level positions[7]
03
6 in 10 employers (60%) use job postings to determine major requirements for applicants (LinkedIn Economic Graph report, 2024)[8]
Interpretation
Employer Demand Interpretation
Under the Employer Demand angle, 71% of NACE member employers plan to hire bachelor’s degree candidates for entry-level roles, and with 69% saying internship experience is important and 60% using job postings to set major requirements, it’s clear that employers are actively signaling both credential and experience expectations.
More related reading
07 · Category
Cost & Debt2 stats
01
In 2022, 70% of bachelor’s degree recipients graduated with student loan debt (Federal Reserve Bank of New York analysis of New York Fed student debt data)[9]
02
The average student loan balance among borrowers in 2022 was $35,000(Federal Reserve data, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Consumer Credit Panel-based analysis)[9]
Interpretation
Cost & Debt Interpretation
In 2022, 70% of bachelor’s degree recipients left school with student loan debt and the average borrower owed about $35,000, underscoring how the Cost & Debt burden is widespread and substantial for new graduates.
08 · Category
Workforce Demand1 stats
01
69% of hiring managers said internships are important for entry-level hiring (NACE 2024 Job Outlook)[7]
Interpretation
Workforce Demand Interpretation
For workforce demand, 69% of hiring managers say internships are important for entry level hiring, indicating internships are a key pipeline for employers when staffing new talent.
09 · Category
Labor Market Signals4 stats
01
In 2022, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates (degree holders) was 2.4%[10]
02
In 2023, the unemployment rate for persons with a bachelor’s degree was 1.7%[10]
03
The OECD estimates that 48% of employed adults report that their job is related to their field of education (average across participating countries)[11]
04
In the United States, 32.1% of STEM graduates report work in a STEM-related occupation (OECD estimate)[11]
Interpretation
Labor Market Signals Interpretation
Labor market signals look strong as shown by low unemployment among degree holders, dropping from 2.4% in 2022 to 1.7% in 2023, alongside evidence that 48% of employed adults say their jobs match their field of education.
10 · Category
Enrollment & Choice2 stats
01
In 2022, 15.2% of undergraduate students were enrolled in STEM fields (CIP-based broad STEM enrollment shares, NCES Digest table)[1]
02
In 2023, degree-seeking enrollment at U.S. institutions declined by 2% year-over-year (Fall 2022 to Fall 2023) according to NCES enrollment projections/dashboards[1]
Interpretation
Enrollment & Choice Interpretation
For the Enrollment & Choice angle, STEM is the focus for 15.2% of undergraduates in 2022 while overall degree-seeking enrollment fell by 2% year over year from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023, suggesting that even as student choices remain partially STEM oriented, the total pool of degree seekers is contracting.
11 · Category
Cost & Aid1 stats
01
In the 2023–24 academic year, federal student aid covered 75% of college costs for full-time undergraduates in the form of grants, loans, and work-study (Sallie Mae/College Board student aid usage estimates for the U.S.)[12]
Interpretation
Cost & Aid Interpretation
In the 2023–24 academic year, federal student aid covered 75% of college costs for full-time undergraduates through grants, loans, and work-study, highlighting how the Cost & Aid landscape is heavily shaped by federal support.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). College Major Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/college-major-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "College Major Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/college-major-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "College Major Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/college-major-statistics.
Sources & references
12 sources cited across this report