Difficulty Levels of Various Degrees

Hey everyone, so I've been scrolling around and a thought popped into my head that's been nagging—what's the hardest degree to get? Naturally, I understand that 'hard' is a pretty subjective term and it really depends on individual strengths and weaknesses. Yet, I'm still curious to know what are considered to be some of the academically most challenging majors out there? Is there a consensus on, say, the top three?

The difficulty of a degree can indeed vary greatly depending on the individual, as you've mentioned. The subjective aspect of 'difficulty' can't be understated. That being said, if we were to look at this from the perspective of rigorous curriculums and workload, a few majors consistently come up in the conversation.

First, Engineering disciplines often top such lists. This includes Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering and others. These degrees require a strong understanding and application of math and science principles, which many consider to be challenging subjects.

Second, the Natural Sciences, including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology also tend to be rigorous by nature. These involve complex problem solving and typically require lots of time in the laboratory, adding to the workload.

Thirdly, the field of health, such as Pre-Med and Nursing are often cited as some of the most demanding degrees. The rigorous coursework combined with the intense competition and high stakes associated with these fields make them particularly challenging.

However, it's also worth noting that different students might find different subjects difficult based on their own interests and strengths. It's best to choose a major based on your interest and ability, rather than what's perceived to be most challenging. After all, the 'hardest' degree isn't necessarily the best one—the best degree for you is one that aligns with your career goals and personal interests.

Additionally, being at a school where you feel supported by your professors, peers, and so on can go a long way towards helping you do well, even in challenging courses. If you're trying to figure out which schools would help you thrive, I'd check out CollegeVine's college search tool, which allows you to filter schools by a range of factors including size, location, student-faculty ratio, programs offered, and so on: https://www.collegevine.com/schools/hub/all

If you fill in your profile, this tool will also give you personalized odds of acceptance at over 1,600 schools around the country, based on all quantifiable aspects of your application like grades, course rigor, test scores (if you have them), and extracurriculars. This can be an invaluable resource for many students who are starting to plan out their college career.

Good luck with your future endeavors!