Hey guys, super inquisitive junior here! In your opinion, what's statistically considered the most difficult college major? Does it differ from university to university or is it pretty consistent across all of them? And if so, what makes it the most challenging? Thoughts?
It can be quite challenging to identify the "most difficult" major as it greatly depends on an individual's strengths, interests, and the specific requirements of the major at their institution. However, if we look at the data in terms of high attrition rates and intense academic rigor, some majors consistently rank as particularly challenging. These typically include disciplines like Engineering (all branches), Physics, and Computer Science.
Engineering major courses are notoriously tough with a heavy load of advanced math and physics, often requiring students to take a higher number of credits compared to other majors. Those studying engineering also spend a significant amount of time outside of class on coursework, labs, and projects.
Physics majors are considered difficult due to the abstract and complex conceptual understanding required, as well as extensive problem-solving and advanced math courses.
Computer Science can be challenging due to the fact that it requires a high level of understanding of complex theoretical principles, as well as the practical application of these principles in coding and other technical skills.
It's important to note that "difficulty" is subjective. What one person finds challenging, another might find interesting and motivating. Furthermore, the difficulty of a major can certainly vary between universities due to differences in program design, professors, resources, etc. In general, any field that requires many hours of study, stringent curriculum, and complex concepts can be considered difficult. Therefore, when choosing a major, it is important to consider your own interests, abilities, and career goals rather than the supposed difficulty of a program.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.