This graph shows recent university graduates responses to a survey question about which major they would have chosen instead of the one they did in order improve their chances for success. The survey was coducted in the United States in 2012. 17 percent of graduates surveyed said they would have chosen a business major, like finance or accounting if they had it to do again.
What type of major would you have chosen instead of the major you did?
Characteristic
Share of graduates
Professional major, like communications, education, nursing, or social work
41%
A major in the field of math, science, engineering, or technology
29%
Business, like finance or accounting
17%
Social science, like psychology, sociology, economics, or political science
7%
Humanities, like history, art, English, or a foreign language
4%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of graduates41%41%29%29%17%17%7%7%4%4%Professional major, like communications, education, nursing, or socialworkA major in the field of math, science, engineering, or technologyBusiness, like finance or accountingSocial science, like psychology, sociology, economics, or politicalscienceHumanities, like history, art, English, or a foreign language
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
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The survey includes college graduates from the class of 2006 through to the class of 2011.
This question was only asked to those who had said that they would have chosen another major in order to be more successful.
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John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. (May 10, 2012). What type of major would you have chosen instead of the major you did? [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/235256/us-college-students-and-major-selection/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. "What type of major would you have chosen instead of the major you did? ." Chart. May 10, 2012. Statista. Accessed February 19, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/235256/us-college-students-and-major-selection/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. (2012). What type of major would you have chosen instead of the major you did? . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 19, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/235256/us-college-students-and-major-selection/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. "What Type of Major Would You Have Chosen Instead of The Major You Did? ." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 May 2012, https://www.statista.com/statistics/235256/us-college-students-and-major-selection/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, What type of major would you have chosen instead of the major you did? Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/235256/us-college-students-and-major-selection/ (last visited February 19, 2025)
What type of major would you have chosen instead of the major you did? [Graph], John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, May 10, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/235256/us-college-students-and-major-selection/
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