
Finally, we decided to look at the biggest sources of stress when it comes to choosing a college major. Seventy percent of Americans feel that 18 or 19 (the typical age of freshmen) is too early to decide on a major. Additionally, 48% felt high levels of pressure to make the right decision when it came to their college major. These two findings likely tie into each other. Viewing a college major as the end-all, be-all for career success puts a significant amount of pressure on a fresh high school graduate who may or may not know what their life’s calling is yet. So if nearly half of Americans feel pressured to choose the right major, it’s no wonder that 70% feel that the weight of this decision is too heavy for an 18-year-old’s shoulders.
Family is the largest influence on choosing a college major. Forty-six percent of respondents say that family was the largest source of pressure to make the right decision about their college major. Interestingly, the second-largest source of pressure is internal. Thirty-two percent of respondents felt the most pressure from themselves when it came to making the right decision.
At Grand Canyon University, we understand the horde of factors that weigh on a college student’s choice of degree. This decision is often stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. GCU offers a wide range of topics to study across bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate, bridge and post-master’s certificates. Check out our degree comparison feature to weigh the benefits of different programs and ultimately, find the right major for you!
1Retrieved from EducationData.org, “Student Loan Debt by Generation” in August 2021
2Retrieved from Business Insider, “25 small and midsize companies with the best work-life balance, according to employees” in August 2021