Easiest College Majors and Degrees
The ease of a college major can depend on your skills, aptitudes, and interests. Difficulty is relative, and what seems easy to you may be difficult for someone else.
Of course, you shouldn’t necessarily choose a major just because it’s easy — but the relative ease of the major and the future career options can help guide your decision. Some programs are more challenging than others. Knowing what to expect can help you choose the best major for your academic and career goals.
Keep reading to learn more about the easiest online degrees and majors of 2025.
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Easiest Online Majors
Check out the easiest college majors below:
Finding the major that meets your needs is essential, and having a clear idea of how challenging a major might be is valuable. In choosing the following list of easiest majors, we considered course requirements, time spent studying, and field requirements. And because math and science courses tend to be difficult for many students, we chose majors with fewer STEM courses.
In fact, college advisor Stephanie DeBord said, “Often, liberal arts or general studies degrees are viewed as easier in terms of rigor because they encompass a wide range of courses that can align to different learning styles and preferences.”
But keep in mind that course curriculum isn’t everything.
“It is important to note that even if a certain major is considered more flexible or less rigorous, pursuing a degree is going to require a significant amount of dedication and effort to complete,” said DeBord.
1. Anthropology
Anthropology not only offers you a less stressful academic pathway, but allows you to hone effective communication and research skills. During your online anthropology program, you’ll tackle courses like human origins, cultural anthropology, and environmental anthropology. These programs typically require you to complete 120 credits over about four years.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Fundraising Manager | $132,870 |
Museum Worker | $57,100 |
Market Research Analyst | $76,950 |
Community Service Manager | $78,240 |
Environmental Engineer | $104,170 |
2. Business Administration
One of the most popular college majors in the United States, a bachelor’s in business administration introduces foundational business topics as well as specialized areas like business analytics, operations management, and accounting.
If you have a knack for critical thinking, problem-solving, and foundational math skills, a business administration degree shouldn’t be too challenging.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Sales Manager | $132,870 |
Marketing Manager | $161,030 |
Market Research Analyst | $76,950 |
Purchasing Manager | $79,830 |
Financial Manager | $161,700 |
3. Communications
Learning how to communicate effectively is a valuable skill that applies to countless jobs. A bachelor’s in communications consistently ranks among the easiest college majors, and you’ll tackle classes such as public speaking, introduction to communication theory, and organizational communication. Graduates often work in fields such as sales, marketing, and public relations.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Technical Writer | $91,670 |
Editor | $75,260 |
Public Relations Specialist | $69,780 |
Fundraising Manager | $132,780 |
Advertising Sales Agent | $61,460 |
4. Creative Writing
If you’ve got a way with words, a bachelor’s in creative writing will definitely feel like one of the easiest online degrees. Throughout a creative writing bachelor’s, you’ll hone essential reading, writing, and critical thinking skills while encountering classes like the craft of writing fiction, fundamentals of creative reading, and literature and the environment.
Alongside writing careers, graduates often find jobs where effective communication is paramount.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Writer | $72,270 |
Technical Writer | $91,670 |
Editor | $75,260 |
Journalist | $60,280 |
Public Relations Specialist | $69,780 |
5. Criminal Justice
Although criminal justice often ranks alongside the easiest online degrees, graduates often go on to tackle challenging careers. During a bachelor’s in criminal justice, you’ll typically encounter courses that cover topics like the U.S. legal system, corrections, and constitutional law. Common careers for graduates include various law enforcement and corrections jobs.
Criminal Justice Careers | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Police and Detectives | $77,270 |
Correctional Officer | $57,950 |
Emergency Management Director | $86,130 |
Private Investigator | $52,370 |
Probation Officer | $64,520 |
6. Education
While teachers encounter their fair share of professional challenges, their academic pathway is often easier than most. A bachelor’s in education introduces the theoretical and practical knowledge that educators rely on, and you’ll likely complete courses like educational foundations, childhood development, and elementary reading methods. Typical careers for education grads include teachers, administrators, and instructional coordinators.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Elementary School Teacher | $62,310 |
Middle School Teacher | $62,970 |
High School Teacher | $64,580 |
Special Education Teacher | $64,270 |
Career and Technical Education Teacher | $62,910 |
7. English
While not the most challenging degree, English majors hone a set of valuable skills that apply to numerous careers. Throughout your bachelor’s in English, you commonly complete classes such as intro to creative writing, survey of African American literature, and poetry in the 20th century. Graduates go on to work in diverse fields like teaching, marketing, and healthcare.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
High School Teacher | $64,580 |
Writer | $72,270 |
Technical Writer | $91,670 |
Advertising Manager | $159,660 |
Public Relations Specialist | $69,780 |
8. Health Sciences
If you’re comfortable with business and leadership coursework and want to work in healthcare, a health sciences degree is a solid option. Often leading to careers in areas like public health and healthcare administration, health sciences students complete courses like healthcare delivery, leading change, and introduction to public health.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Clinical Laboratory Tech | $61,890 |
Health Services Manager | $117,960 |
Health Information Technologist | $67,310 |
Medical Records Specialist | $50,250 |
Manufacturing Sales Representative | $74,100 |
9. History
Like other humanities degrees, a bachelor’s in history allows you to develop marketable skills in research and writing. If you’re interested in history, research, and writing, this degree shouldn’t be too challenging.
Throughout your bachelor’s in history, you’ll complete courses in various historical areas, including American, European, and ancient history. Many students also use this degree as preparation for graduate-level study.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Museum Worker | $57,100 |
Paralegal | $61,010 |
High School Teacher | $64,580 |
Editor | $75,260 |
Writer | $72,270 |
10. Humanities
Another one of the easiest online degrees, a bachelor’s in humanities is an interdisciplinary track that covers areas like history, philosophy, religion, and literature. Similar to other degrees on this list, you’ll develop effective communication, critical thinking, and research skills that apply to countless professional fields. Many humanities graduates go on to complete graduate-level degrees.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Writer | $72,270 |
Human Resources Manager | $140,030 |
Market Research Analyst | $76,950 |
Technical Writer | $91,670 |
Public Relations Specialist | $69,780 |
11. Liberal Arts
Similar to a general humanities degree, a bachelor of liberal arts is an interdisciplinary track that covers art, humanities, social science, and math coursework. These programs allow you to craft a curriculum that mirrors your academic and career goals. Common classes include diverse topics such as introduction to computer science, introduction to psychology, and composition.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Public Relations Specialist | $69,780 |
Paralegal | $61,010 |
Journalist | $60,280 |
Community Service Manager | $78,240 |
Project Management Specialist | $100,750 |
12. Linguistics
In a linguistics program, you’ll learn how language works by exploring the structure, use, and development of languages around the world. If you’re culturally curious and love languages, consider a bachelor’s in linguistics. You’ll tackle classes such as the philosophy of language, indigenous languages of Latin America, and the linguistics of contemporary English.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Translator | $59,440 |
ESL Teacher | $59,950 |
High School Teacher | $64,580 |
Training and Development Specialist | $65,850 |
Human Resources Specialist | $72,910 |
13. Music
If you’re musically inclined and passionate about the field, a bachelor’s in music shouldn’t be especially challenging. Throughout your bachelor’s in music, you’ll tackle courses in music theory, performance, and history. Upon graduation, music majors commonly work as teachers, performers, and for various music-related organizations.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Musician | $42.45/hour |
Music Director | $63,670 |
High School Teacher | $64,580 |
Preschool Teacher | $37,120 |
Fundraising Manager | $132,870 |
14. Psychology
A bachelor’s in psychology ranks among the easiest majors. You can develop skills that apply to varying careers in counseling or marketing. As you complete your undergraduate psychology degree, you’ll take classes such as human development, psychology theories, and research in the psychology field.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Market Research Analyst | $76,950 |
Behavior Analyst | $72,850 (Based on data from Apr. 2024) |
Survey Researcher | $63,380 |
Training and Development Specialist | $65,850 |
Substance Misuse Counselor | $59,190 |
15. Religious Studies
Another one of the easiest online degrees, a bachelors in theology or religious studies can open up careers both inside and outside religious institutions. Throughout your online religious studies degree, you’ll complete classes such as biblical studies, theological history, and principles of ministry. Some schools also offer concentrations in areas like ministry administration, pastoral counseling, and religious education.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Clergy | $67,160 |
Social Service Manager | $78,240 |
Social Worker | $61,330 |
Facilities Manager | $106,880 |
Preschool Teacher | $37,120 |
16. Social Work
If you’re interested in a career helping others but want a low-stress degree, social work is a solid choice. During a bachelor’s in social work, you’ll gain the knowledge and hone the skills essential to competent and compassionate social work.
In addition to core social work classes, many schools offer specializations in areas like community advocacy, aging, public health, mental health and substance misuse.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Social Worker | $61,330 |
Community Health Worker | $63,000 |
Correctional Treatment Specialist | $64,520 |
Community Service Manager | $77,030 |
Human Services Assistant | $45,120 |
17. Sociology
If you’re looking for an easy college degree while exploring topics like social justice, human behavior, and diversity, a bachelor’s in sociology may be the perfect match. Typically taking four years to complete, sociology students complete core classes alongside specializations in areas like mass media and popular culture, social welfare, and social change.
Career | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
---|---|
Sales Manager | $138,060 |
Market Research Analyst | $76,950 |
Social Worker | $61,330 |
Survey Researcher | $63,380 |
Financial Analyst | $101,910 |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Easiest Online Degrees
What are the easiest online degrees to get?
Determining what online degree is easiest is primarily based on your unique skills. However, most degrees include some general education courses that students may find challenging. Don’t get discouraged if coursework is difficult for you; be sure to utilize your school’s resources to help you.
Online colleges offer resources to support online students, such as private tutoring, study groups, 24-7 support services, and academic advisors, to help you chart a degree path that suits your strengths and goals.
What are the easiest college majors?
A college would not advertise a major as “easy” because a major’s difficulty level is mostly subjective. Much of the difficulty comes down to your strengths and interests. A student with a knack for STEM may thrive in math classes but struggle when faced with writing a paper about Shakespeare.
Further, college curricula are designed to challenge you to build the skill sets you’ll need to thrive in various workplaces. That growth can seem challenging while it’s happening but can open long-term career opportunities.
What are the hardest college majors?
Choosing the easiest college majors for you depends on knowing where you might excel. Your strengths, weaknesses, and interests will determine how hard you find various college majors. However, some programs or subjects have a reputation for being more difficult than others.
Engineering, physics, chemistry, architecture, and computer science are often considered difficult programs. But again, if you have a passion for architecture or physics, you may enjoy learning about them, making the curriculum more manageable.
What is the fastest bachelor’s degree?
A bachelor’s degree program generally takes around four years to complete. However, some online programs offer accelerated pathways that allow you to complete coursework more quickly, so you can earn a degree in three years or less.
You can also earn college credits in high school or over the summer to graduate sooner. Some colleges grant credit for work experience, military training, AP tests, CLEP exams, International Baccalaureate exams, dual enrollment, and summer college programs.
What makes an online degree easy?
An easy online program aligns with your skills and interests and allows you to study when and where it’s most convenient. That alone can be easier than commuting to a college campus or moving across the country to earn a degree.
However, most online degree programs offer the same rigorous curriculum as on-campus programs. This ensures that you get the career preparation you need, but it can mean that coursework becomes increasingly challenging as you progress through the program.
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