Does Choosing an Easy Major Work? Real College Planning Insights (Guide)

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 30 percent of undergraduates in associate and bachelor’s degree programs change their major at least once within three years of initial enrollment. This statistic highlights a common struggle: many students enter college without a clear sense of which path actually fits their skills and goals. Often, they make the mistake of choosing a major based on what they hear is “easy,” only to find that the “easy” path is actually the hardest one to finish.

What is the “easy major” myth in college planning?

The “easy major” myth is the belief that certain degrees require less effort or guarantee higher grades regardless of a student’s natural talents. This idea suggests that choosing a path with a reputation for simplicity will lead to a stress-free college experience and a high GPA. However, this ignores how personal interest and individual skill sets define actual difficulty.

In my 14 years of advising, I have seen many students fall for this trap. They look at “easiest majors” lists online and assume they can coast through four years. The reality is that “easy” is entirely subjective. A student who excels at math will find a Bachelor of Science in Physics challenging but rewarding. That same student might find a Bachelor of Arts in English, which requires heavy reading and subjective grading, to be an absolute nightmare.

The myth persists because people often confuse “less technical” with “less work.” While some majors may have fewer lab hours, they often compensate with massive reading lists, complex research papers, or creative projects. When you choose a major based on a myth, you are not choosing a shortcut. You are often choosing a path that does not align with how your brain actually works.

Why I tested the easy major advice in my undergraduate journey

Testing the easy major advice involved a deliberate attempt to follow the “path of least resistance” to see if it actually led to better results. This experiment was based on the theory that a lower workload would free up time for internships and networking. I wanted to know if a supposedly simple major would provide a better GPA and a smoother transition to the workforce.

When I was an undergraduate, I had a friend named Mark. Mark was brilliant at logic and puzzles, but he was told that a specific social science major was the “easy” way to get into law school. He listened. He dropped his challenging computer science courses to take classes he thought would be a breeze. I watched his progress closely, treating his journey as a case study for the advice I now give.

What I observed was a total breakdown of the “easy” theory. Because Mark was not interested in the subject matter, he stopped attending lectures. He found the “simple” essays impossible to start because he didn’t care about the prompts. His GPA, which was supposed to soar, actually began to dip. The lack of engagement turned a supposedly easy major into a heavy burden that he struggled to carry.

Breaking down bachelor’s degree options: BA vs. BS

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) are the two most common degree types, each offering a different structural foundation. A BA typically focuses on a broad liberal arts education with more room for electives and a focus on humanities. A BS is usually more specialized, requiring more credits in the major and focusing on technical or scientific skills.

Understanding the difference between these two is vital for your foundation. Most students assume a BS is always harder than a BA. This is not necessarily true; it depends on your strengths.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): These programs often require 120 credit hours. About 30 to 45 of those credits are in your major. This leaves a lot of room for a second major or multiple minors.
• Bachelor of Science (BS): These also require 120 to 128 credits, but the major might take up 60 to 70 of those credits. This means you have less “free” space in your schedule.

Why the “easy major” strategy failed in my testing

The failure of the “easy major” strategy occurs when the lack of personal interest leads to a lack of effort and poor academic outcomes. In my testing and observations, this strategy failed because it ignored the psychological toll of boredom and the competitive nature of the job market. Students often found themselves with a degree they didn’t like and no specialized skills to show for it.

Building on this, the “easy” strategy failed in three specific areas:

• The Motivation Gap: When you don’t care about the topic, every assignment feels like a chore. This leads to procrastination, which is the number one killer of a high GPA.
• The Skill Signaling Problem: Employers look for “signals” that you can do a job. If you pick a major just because it is easy, you may fail to develop the hard skills that make you employable.
• The Grading Reality: Many “easy” majors use subjective grading. In a math class, your answer is either right or wrong. In a philosophy class, your grade depends on how well you argue a point. For many, that subjectivity is much harder than a technical test.

Interestingly, the students I mentored who chose “harder” majors that they actually loved ended up with higher GPAs. They were willing to spend late nights in the lab because they were excited about the results. The “easy” major students were often the ones most likely to drop out or take five or six years to graduate.

How structure and flexibility affect your bachelor’s degree options

Degree structure refers to the specific way your 120 credits are divided between general education, major requirements, and electives. Flexibility is your ability to move within that structure to add a minor or change your focus without losing credits. A well-structured degree allows you to explore interests while staying on track for a four-year graduation.

Most bachelor’s degrees follow a standard credit hour requirement:

• General Education (30-45 credits): These are your “basics” like English 101, History, and Intro to Science.
• Major Requirements (30-70 credits): These are the classes specifically for your degree.
• Electives (10-40 credits): These are “wild card” classes you can take for fun or toward a minor.

If you choose a highly specialized degree, like a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), your flexibility is very low. You might have only 6 credits of electives. If you decide in your junior year that you want to study something else, you will likely have to stay in school longer. On the other hand, a BA in History might have 40 credits of electives, making it very easy to pivot or add a second major.

Selecting the right bachelor’s degree foundation for your goals

Selecting a foundation requires you to match your natural aptitudes with a degree structure that supports your long-term career or graduate school plans. This involves looking past the title of the major and examining the actual syllabus and graduation requirements. A strong foundation balances what you are good at with what the market or your future goals require.

To select the right foundation, follow these steps:

1. Audit Your Strengths: Do you prefer solving equations or writing arguments? Do you like working in a lab or in a studio?
2. Check the Degree Map: Every college provides a “degree map” or “four-year plan” for every major. Look at the junior and senior year classes. If they sound miserable, that major is not “easy” for you.
3. Evaluate the ROI: Use the College Scorecard to look at early-career earnings for that major at your specific school.
4. Test the Waters: Use your general education requirements to take an intro class in a major you are considering before you declare it.

As a result of this careful selection, you are much more likely to graduate on time. The national four-year graduation rate is only about 41 percent. One of the biggest reasons for the delay is students switching majors late because they chose the wrong foundation early on.

Metrics that actually matter for your degree selection

Metrics are the data points that help you measure the potential success and efficiency of a degree program. These include things like the average time-to-graduation, the percentage of students who find jobs in their field, and the total cost of the degree. Looking at these numbers helps you move from a “gut feeling” to a factual decision about your future.

When you look at these metrics, you see that the “easiest” major might have a very low graduation rate because students lose interest. Or, it might have a very low early-career salary, meaning you will struggle to pay back loans. Always look at the data provided by the College Board and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) before making a final choice.

Tools for choosing a bachelor’s degree and exploring majors

Tools for degree selection are digital platforms and resources designed to help students compare colleges, majors, and career outcomes. These resources provide verified data on everything from tuition costs to the specific classes required for a degree. Using these tools reduces the overwhelm of having hundreds of options by filtering them based on your specific needs.

Here are five essential tools I recommend to every student and parent:

1. College Scorecard: This Department of Education tool shows you the average salary and debt levels for specific majors at almost every college in the U.S.
2. BigFuture by College Board: This is excellent for high school students to explore how their interests align with different bachelor’s degree options.
3. O*NET OnLine: This tool links specific majors to real-world jobs, showing you what the day-to-day work actually looks like.
4. Your College’s Academic Catalog: This is the most important and least used tool. It lists every single class you must take to get your degree.
5. Focus2Career: Many colleges offer this to students. It is an assessment that matches your personality and skills to specific academic pathways.

By using these resources, you move away from “he said, she said” advice and toward a plan based on facts. You can see exactly what is required and what the outcome will be. This clarity is the best antidote to the stress of starting college.

Common mistakes to avoid in your first two years

Avoiding common mistakes involves recognizing the pitfalls that lead to extra semesters and unnecessary debt. These mistakes often stem from a lack of planning or following popular but flawed advice about how to “game” the college system. By knowing what these errors are, you can navigate your freshman and sophomore years with much more confidence.

• Waiting too long to declare: While you don’t need to know on day one, waiting until your junior year to pick a major can make it impossible to graduate in four years.
• Ignoring the “Degree Audit”: Most colleges have a digital portal that shows your progress. If you don’t check this, you might miss a small requirement that holds up your graduation.
• Picking a major for someone else: Whether it is for a parent or because of a myth about “easy” grades, choosing a major you dislike is a recipe for failure.
• Overloading on “Easy” classes early: If you take all your easiest general education classes in your first year, your junior and senior years will be incredibly difficult. It is better to balance your schedule.

Building a flexible foundation means being honest about what you want. If you are a transfer student, this is even more critical. You need to ensure your credits will count toward your new major’s core requirements, not just as “general electives.” Always speak with an academic advisor before making a major change.

Action plan for starting your undergraduate journey

An action plan is a step-by-step guide that moves you from the research phase to the execution of your degree plan. It provides a timeline for when to explore, when to decide, and how to verify that you are on the right path. Having a plan reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed and ensures you are meeting all the necessary milestones for success.

• Freshman Year (Fall): Focus on general education but take one “exploratory” class in a subject that interests you. Meet your advisor to discuss “BA vs. BS” options.
• Freshman Year (Spring): Use a tool like Focus2Career to narrow your choices to three possible majors. Look at the degree maps for each.
• Sophomore Year (Fall): Narrow your choice to one major. Check the College Scorecard for that major at your school to see the ROI.
• Sophomore Year (Spring): Formally declare your major. Map out every class you need for the next two years to ensure a four-year graduation.
• Transfer Students: Perform a credit evaluation immediately upon entry. Prioritize major-specific courses that may be prerequisites for senior-level classes.

Following this timeline ensures you aren’t rushing a big decision, but you also aren’t drifting. You are treating your degree like the investment it is. By avoiding the “easy major” trap, you are setting yourself up for a college experience that is engaging, manageable, and ultimately successful.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bachelor’s Degrees

Is a Bachelor of Science always better than a Bachelor of Arts? No, one is not “better” than the other. A BS is more technical and specialized, while a BA offers more breadth and flexibility. The best choice depends on your career goals. If you want to be an engineer, you need a BS. If you want to work in communications or law, a BA is often the standard path.

How many credits do I need for a bachelor’s degree? Most bachelor’s degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours. This usually breaks down to about 40 classes, assuming each class is 3 credits. Some specialized programs, like engineering or architecture, may require up to 128 or even 150 credits, which can sometimes take longer than four years to complete.

Can I change my major if I find it too difficult? Yes, you can change your major, but doing so late in your college career can delay your graduation. If you find a major difficult because you lack interest, switching to something that aligns with your strengths is a smart move. Always consult with an academic advisor to see how your current credits will transfer to the new plan.

What is the difference between a major and a minor? A major is your primary field of study and makes up a large portion of your degree requirements. A minor is a secondary concentration that usually requires only 15 to 21 credits. Minors are great for adding a specialized skill or exploring an interest without the full commitment of a second major.

Does my major determine my career for the rest of my life? Not necessarily. Many people work in fields that are not directly related to their undergraduate major. However, your degree provides the foundational skills—like critical thinking, technical analysis, or writing—that you will use in any job. Certain fields, like nursing or accounting, do require specific degrees for licensure.

What is a “degree map” and where do I find it? A degree map is a semester-by-semester guide that shows exactly which classes you should take to graduate in four years. You can usually find these on your college’s website under the “Academic Programs” or “Registrar” section. Following this map is the best way to avoid staying in school longer than necessary.

How do I know if a major is “too hard” for me? Look at the upper-level requirements (300 and 400-level classes). If the thought of taking those classes feels impossible or completely uninteresting, the major might not be a good fit. “Hard” is often a reflection of a lack of interest rather than a lack of intelligence.

What are general education requirements? General education, or “Gen Ed,” are foundational classes that all students must take regardless of their major. They usually cover a variety of subjects like math, science, history, and the arts. These classes are designed to give you a well-rounded education and help you develop versatile skills.

Is it better to double major or have a major and a minor? This depends on your goals and how much room you have in your 120 credits. A double major can make you more competitive but requires much more work and leaves fewer electives. A major and a minor is often more manageable and still allows you to show expertise in two different areas.

What should I do if I’m undecided about my major? Don’t panic. Use your first year to take general education classes that also count toward potential majors. Talk to professors in different departments, use career assessment tools, and visit your campus career center. Most students find their path by the end of their sophomore year.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Matthew Ellison. Visit our Meet the Team page to learn more about the author and their expertise.)