Let’s be real for a second. When you are scrolling through your college portal to declare a major, there are likely only two questions you are asking yourself. “How hard is this major going to be?” and “Will this major get me a job?”
The year is now 2026, and things are different. The last decade’s golden ticket majors (looking at you, Computer Science), have it bad now. In addition, the enduring preference for the Nursing and Engineering majors has increased.
We took a look at the data. Evaluating average GPAs, post graduation unemployment, student dropout statistics, and of course, the infamous “regret index” let us provide you with the best, and most complete data set for the easiest, and hardest, college majors in the US, 2026.
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Part 1:The “I Want My Life Back” Club (Easiest Majors)
What is an easy major? Typically, it is not a major that is easy to understand. It is a major that has subjective grading, and a high and positive correlation between workload and work-life balance, and low correlation with stress.
These majors generally have high average GPAs, low levels of math anxiety, and exams that are less structural, high-stakes.
If you value your sleep and want more time for internships (or video games), these are your top picks for 2026.
1. Communications/Public Relations
The Vibe: Learning how to talk and write press releases, and how to manage an Instagram crisis.
Why it is “Easy”: It is difficult to prove a degree in this major is valuable, and despite 39.2% of recent grads stating their reason for regret, what you are learning is not worth the cost.
The coursework itself is rarely the cause of sleepless nights. It is heavy on group projects and presentations rather than organic chemistry.
The Trade-off: You will have a higher GPA, but you need to fight for internships to get a job.
2. Criminal Justice
- The Vibe: Understanding the legal system, policing, and corrections.
- Why it is “Easy”: Students report that the curriculum is straightforward and logical. It relies heavily on memorization and reading comprehension. You won’t find Calculus here .
- The Reality: It is a popular major for those heading into law enforcement or law school, offering a solid foundation without the “weed-out” classes.
3. Psychology (General BA track)
- The Vibe: “Why is my roommate like this?”
- Why it is “Easy”: Introductory psychology is fascinating to most people, which makes studying feel less like a chore. While the BS (Bachelor of Science) track gets harder with stats, the BA (Bachelor of Arts) track is primarily theory-based.
- The Catch: You almost certainly need a Master’s degree to make a high salary here .
4. Education
- The Vibe: Learning how to teach the next generation.
- Why it is “Easy” by GPA standards: Education majors often report the highest GPAs on campus. The difficulty isn’t intellectual; it is emotional. The classes (child development, classroom management) are intuitive, but the “work” happens outside the classroom during student teaching .
- The Warning: The pay is notoriously low relative to the stress of the job, which is why many drop out of the field later .
5. English / Literature
- The Vibe: Reading novels and debating themes.
- Why it is “Easy”: There are no right or wrong answers in most essays, only well-argued ones. If you are a natural reader, this feels less like work and more like a book club .
- The Brutal Truth: You will likely end up in a job that doesn’t require the major (like admin or sales), and pay is often 30% lower than expected .
Part 2: The “I Have No Hair Left” Club (Hardest Majors)
These are the majors that keep the library lights on at 3 AM. According to the data, these fields have the lowest average GPAs, the highest weekly study hours, and the highest rates of students switching to something else .
1. Chemistry (The Undisputed Heavyweight Champion)
- Average GPA: ~2.78 .
- Why it is a Nightmare: Chemistry is widely cited as the single hardest major in America. It combines abstract quantum mechanics with physical lab work. You have to memorize complex formulas while simultaneously mastering advanced mathematics and physics.
- The Lab Factor: You aren’t just studying; you are spending 20+ hours a week in a lab where one tiny mistake (or a dropped beaker) ruins weeks of work. Over 65% of chemistry students end up getting a graduate degree just to find work
2. Engineering (All Disciplines)
- Average GPA: ~3.17 .
- Why it is a Nightmare: You don’t just learn why things work; you learn how to build them so they don’t kill people. Engineering requires the highest level of math (Calculus III, Differential Equations) and physics.
- The 2026 Twist: Engineering is actually growing in 2026 (up 7.3%) because students see it as “AI-proof.” You can’t ChatGPT your way through building a bridge .
- The Payoff: While brutal, the starting salary is often the highest on campus ($70k+), making the tears worth it .
3. Nursing
- The Vibe: Saving lives, one exam at a time.
- Why it is a Nightmare: Nursing programs are notorious for having “weed-out” exams. You need a 3.8 GPA just to get into the clinical portion. It requires memorizing the human body (anatomy), the chemical reactions (pharmacology), and the social skills (patient care).
- The 2026 Boom: With AI threatening desk jobs, Nursing enrollment is exploding (+4.9%) because the demand is ironclad. Registered Nurses made a median of $98k in 2024, and the job security is unmatched .
4. Mathematics & Physics
- Average GPA: Math: 2.90 / Physics: 3.10 .
- Why it is a Nightmare: These majors deal with the abstract laws of the universe. You cannot memorize your way out of a quantum mechanics problem. You have to think in a way that most human brains are not wired to do.
- The Reality: These are the students who actually enjoy puzzles. For everyone else, the 60%+ rate of students eventually getting a Master’s degree is a necessity, not a choice .
5. Computer Science (CS)
- The 2026 Shock: CS is hard, but it is also scary right now.
- Why it is a Nightmare: Logic, algorithms, and constant debugging. However, the difficulty in 2026 is less about the classroom and more about the job market.
- The Shift: Enrollment in CS has dropped 11.2% in one year. Students are fleeing because entry-level coding jobs are being automated by AI. It is now harder to graduate as a CS major than it is to find a job as a junior developer .
The “Regret” Factor: Hard vs. Worth It
There are difficult majors, but those are not the most regretted. The biggest factor for most regretting their major was the low salaries.
Political Science majors worked hard, but they had no opportunity to show it because the job market is so competitive.
- Most regretted majors are Political Science, Communications, Liberal Arts, and Physical Sciences.
- The Least regretted majors are Nursing, Engineering, and Computer Sciences (despite the AI crash, the long-term logic still appeals to many)
Conclusion: What will you choose to major in in 2026?
If you’re the type of student that just wants to disappear and graduate as fast as they’d like, here’s a major selection guide based on what you enjoy:
- If you want an easy ride to a 4.0 GPA: Choose Communications or Criminal Justice. Just know you will need to hustle hard for a job afterward.
- If you want job security and high pay (and you like pain): Choose Nursing or Engineering. The next four years will be a grind, but the starting salary often doubles that of a Liberal Arts grad.
- Proceed with Caution (The 2026 Trap): Computer Science is currently in crisis. It is still hard, but the job offer you thought was guaranteed in 2022 might not be there in 2026 .
Choose a major that balances your tolerance for math with your need for financial survival. Good luck, class of 2030!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which specific major has the lowest average GPA?
According to surveys of 5,000+ students, Chemistry consistently ranks with the lowest GPA, averaging around a 2.78. The rigorous lab work and abstract theory make it incredibly difficult to score high marks .
2. What is the easiest major that actually pays well?
Economics often strikes a nice balance. While it requires math, it is not as intense as Engineering. Early career wages can reach 76,000
3. Why are students dropping Computer Science in 2026?
Enrollment dropped over 11% because of AI anxiety. Students are worried that entry-level coding jobs are being replaced by generative AI models. Many are switching to “AI-proof” majors like Electrical Engineering or Nursing which require physical presence and critical safety decisions .
4. Is it bad to pick an “easy” major?
Not necessarily. Easy majors (like Communications or English) often lead to underemployment (working a job that doesn’t require a degree). However, if you pair an easy major with strong internships and networking, you can still be very successful
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