Ranking college majors from easiest to hardest

I've been hearing a lot about how certain college majors are notoriously difficult, while others are considered 'easier,' but what does this even mean? How is the difficulty of a major measured? Is it mainly about the coursework involved, or are there other factors like job prospects and research opportunities playing a big part too?

The perceived difficulty or ease of a college major often varies widely from person to person, and it largely depends on an individual's interests, talents, and academic background. Factors that typically contribute to the difficulty level of a major can include the amount of coursework and the complexity of the course content, the quantity and complexity of required projects or research, as well as the amount and intensity of required hands-on or experiential learning.

For example, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields are often considered challenging due to the heavy load of rigorous coursework, and many of these majors also require time-intensive labs or projects. Courses in these fields often build on one another, creating a cumulative learning effect that can compound difficulty for some students.

On the other hand, some humanities or social science majors might have less quantitatively challenging coursework, but can involve significant amounts of reading, writing, and critical analysis, which can also be time-consuming and challenging in their own way. This does not mean that one set of majors is objectively easier or harder than the other, but rather that they present different types of challenges.

Furthermore, one must not forget that a major's perceived difficulty may have more to do with how well-suited a student is to its requirements rather than any universal scale of hardness. A physics major might be taxing for someone with no passion for the subject or struggle with math, while an English major could present challenges to those who find reading and writing analytically to be daunting.

Lastly, it's worth noting that job prospects or research opportunities do not inherently make a major harder or easier, but they could add pressure for students who are particularly concerned about these outcomes. While medically-focused majors might lead to a better job market due to the demand in the healthcare industry, the path towards these careers often requires rigorous coursework, competitive internships, and extensive exam preps (MCAT, NCLEX, etc.)

So, in short, the difficulty of a major is largely subjective and depends on an individual's strengths, interests, and academic aptitude. Rather than trying to generalize majors as 'easy' or 'hard,' it's often more beneficial for students to assess which academic paths align with their interests, abilities, and long-term career goals.