College Major Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

College Major Statistics

See how bachelor’s outcomes, debt, and job-market signals line up for U.S. students, from 2.4 million more degrees than you might expect to the 2% year over year dip in degree-seeking enrollment. You will also find the practical tension behind major choices, like why 69% of hiring managers say internships matter and how only 64% of first time full time students finish a bachelor’s within 6 years.

32 statistics32 sources11 sections7 min readUpdated 5 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

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).

Statistic 2

19.6 million total undergraduate enrollment in the United States (fall 2022 enrollment).

Statistic 3

14.3 million number of students enrolled in postsecondary degree-granting institutions in the United States in fall 2022 (NCES fall enrollment count).

Statistic 4

3.1 million associate degrees conferred in the United States in 2022 (NCES).

Statistic 5

64% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who completed a bachelor’s degree within 6 years (2016 cohort, national average).

Statistic 6

27% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who completed an associate degree within 3 years (NCES completion indicator for community colleges).

Statistic 7

20% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who did not complete any degree within 6 years (NCES completion indicator).

Statistic 8

8% percentage of bachelor’s degrees in 2022 awarded in “engineering-related technologies” (CIP-based distribution).

Statistic 9

$66,000 median annual earnings for bachelor’s degree holders in the United States in 2022 (ACS-based, by education).

Statistic 10

34% of undergraduates in degree-granting institutions attended public 4-year colleges in fall 2022

Statistic 11

In 2022, 46% of undergraduates were enrolled in public institutions (IPEDS enrollment mix, fall 2022)

Statistic 12

In 2022, 24% of undergraduates were enrolled at community colleges (IPEDs enrollment mix)

Statistic 13

In 2022, 3.1 million students were enrolled in non-degree programs at degree-granting institutions (IPEDS fall enrollment for non-degree seekers)

Statistic 14

In the 2022–23 academic year, 73% of colleges offered at least one open educational resource (OpenStax/OF education provider report, 2023)

Statistic 15

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

Statistic 16

In 2022/23, there were 1,057,188 international students enrolled in the United States (Open Doors 2023)

Statistic 17

In 2022/23, 31.6% of international students were enrolled in graduate degree programs (Open Doors 2023)

Statistic 18

In 2023, 27% of U.S. adults with bachelor’s degrees reported changing majors at some point (Survey by YouGov, 2023)

Statistic 19

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

Statistic 20

69% of hiring managers report internship experience is important for entry-level hiring (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2024 Job Outlook survey)

Statistic 21

71% of NACE member employers in 2024 report they plan to hire bachelor’s degree candidates for entry-level positions

Statistic 22

6 in 10 employers (60%) use job postings to determine major requirements for applicants (LinkedIn Economic Graph report, 2024)

Statistic 23

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)

Statistic 24

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)

Statistic 25

69% of hiring managers said internships are important for entry-level hiring (NACE 2024 Job Outlook)

Statistic 26

In 2022, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates (degree holders) was 2.4%

Statistic 27

In 2023, the unemployment rate for persons with a bachelor’s degree was 1.7%

Statistic 28

The OECD estimates that 48% of employed adults report that their job is related to their field of education (average across participating countries)

Statistic 29

In the United States, 32.1% of STEM graduates report work in a STEM-related occupation (OECD estimate)

Statistic 30

In 2022, 15.2% of undergraduate students were enrolled in STEM fields (CIP-based broad STEM enrollment shares, NCES Digest table)

Statistic 31

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

Statistic 32

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.)

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Nathan Caldwell

Written by Nathan Caldwell·Edited by Rachel Svensson·Fact-checked by Rajesh Patel

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 15, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

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

Enrollment & Completion

11.9 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]
Directional
219.6 million total undergraduate enrollment in the United States (fall 2022 enrollment).[2]
Verified
314.3 million number of students enrolled in postsecondary degree-granting institutions in the United States in fall 2022 (NCES fall enrollment count).[3]
Verified
43.1 million associate degrees conferred in the United States in 2022 (NCES).[4]
Verified
564% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who completed a bachelor’s degree within 6 years (2016 cohort, national average).[5]
Verified
627% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who completed an associate degree within 3 years (NCES completion indicator for community colleges).[6]
Directional
720% percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who did not complete any degree within 6 years (NCES completion indicator).[7]
Single source
88% percentage of bachelor’s degrees in 2022 awarded in “engineering-related technologies” (CIP-based distribution).[8]
Verified

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.

Earnings & Outcomes

1$66,000 median annual earnings for bachelor’s degree holders in the United States in 2022 (ACS-based, by education).[9]
Single source

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.

Enrollment Mix

134% of undergraduates in degree-granting institutions attended public 4-year colleges in fall 2022[10]
Verified
2In 2022, 46% of undergraduates were enrolled in public institutions (IPEDS enrollment mix, fall 2022)[11]
Single source
3In 2022, 24% of undergraduates were enrolled at community colleges (IPEDs enrollment mix)[12]
Verified
4In 2022, 3.1 million students were enrolled in non-degree programs at degree-granting institutions (IPEDS fall enrollment for non-degree seekers)[13]
Directional
5In the 2022–23 academic year, 73% of colleges offered at least one open educational resource (OpenStax/OF education provider report, 2023)[14]
Verified

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.

Student Demographics

151% of first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking undergraduates at public 4-year institutions were in STEM fields (broad STEM grouping) in 2021[15]
Verified
2In 2022/23, there were 1,057,188 international students enrolled in the United States (Open Doors 2023)[16]
Verified
3In 2022/23, 31.6% of international students were enrolled in graduate degree programs (Open Doors 2023)[17]
Directional
4In 2023, 27% of U.S. adults with bachelor’s degrees reported changing majors at some point (Survey by YouGov, 2023)[18]
Verified

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.

Degree Production

12.7% 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[19]
Verified

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.

Employer Demand

169% of hiring managers report internship experience is important for entry-level hiring (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2024 Job Outlook survey)[20]
Verified
271% of NACE member employers in 2024 report they plan to hire bachelor’s degree candidates for entry-level positions[21]
Verified
36 in 10 employers (60%) use job postings to determine major requirements for applicants (LinkedIn Economic Graph report, 2024)[22]
Single source

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.

Cost & Debt

1In 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)[23]
Directional
2The 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)[24]
Verified

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.

Workforce Demand

169% of hiring managers said internships are important for entry-level hiring (NACE 2024 Job Outlook)[25]
Verified

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.

Labor Market Signals

1In 2022, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates (degree holders) was 2.4%[26]
Verified
2In 2023, the unemployment rate for persons with a bachelor’s degree was 1.7%[27]
Verified
3The OECD estimates that 48% of employed adults report that their job is related to their field of education (average across participating countries)[28]
Verified
4In the United States, 32.1% of STEM graduates report work in a STEM-related occupation (OECD estimate)[29]
Single source

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.

Enrollment & Choice

1In 2022, 15.2% of undergraduate students were enrolled in STEM fields (CIP-based broad STEM enrollment shares, NCES Digest table)[30]
Directional
2In 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[31]
Verified

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.

Cost & Aid

1In 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.)[32]
Single source

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.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

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.

References

nces.ed.govnces.ed.gov
  • 1nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_318.10.asp
  • 2nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_303.10.asp
  • 3nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_303.20.asp
  • 4nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_320.20.asp
  • 5nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/csa/complete-college.aspx
  • 6nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/csa/completion.aspx
  • 7nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/csa/completion-rate.aspx
  • 8nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_318.20.asp
  • 10nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TrendGenerator/app/Answer/3?form=Q&tid=0&cid=2&ctid=1
  • 11nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TrendGenerator/app/Answer/3?form=Q&tid=0&cid=1&ctid=1
  • 12nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TrendGenerator/app/Answer/3?form=Q&tid=0&cid=4&ctid=1
  • 13nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TrendGenerator/app/Answer/1?form=Q&tid=0&cid=20&ctid=1
  • 19nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_322.20.asp
  • 30nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d24/tables/dt24_322.20.asp
  • 31nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/
census.govcensus.gov
  • 9census.gov/library/publications/2023/demo/p60-280.html
openstax.orgopenstax.org
  • 14openstax.org/impact/oer-report
nsf.govnsf.gov
  • 15nsf.gov/statistics/2024/nsf24324/report/sections/higher-education/stem-enrollment-in-undergraduate-and-graduate-programs
opendoorsdata.orgopendoorsdata.org
  • 16opendoorsdata.org/annual-release/international-students/
  • 17opendoorsdata.org/annual-release/academic-level/
yougov.co.ukyougov.co.uk
  • 18yougov.co.uk/society/articles/45255-major-change-college-students
naceweb.orgnaceweb.org
  • 20naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/candidate-experience/internships-increase-hiring-success-nace-2024/
  • 21naceweb.org/sash/nace-2024-job-outlook-survey-report/
  • 25naceweb.org/job-market/2024/job-outlook-2024/
linkedin.comlinkedin.com
  • 22linkedin.com/pulse/what-major-doesnt-matter-linkedin-labs-report-2024/
newyorkfed.orgnewyorkfed.org
  • 23newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sstod
  • 24newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/student-debt/data
bls.govbls.gov
  • 26bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t01.htm
  • 27bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/civilian-unemployment-rate.htm
oecd.orgoecd.org
  • 28oecd.org/education/education-at-a-glance/
  • 29oecd.org/education/stem-education-and-employment/
salliemae.comsalliemae.com
  • 32salliemae.com/research/college-planning-survey/