Picking a college major is no minor thing. Here’s what’s most popular at Stanislaus State
At Stanislaus State, business administration has continued to be one of the most popular majors for over five years. According to data provided by the university, the other majors rounding out the top five for the 2024 fall semester are psychology, liberal studies, criminal justice and biological sciences.
All top five majors, besides business administration, saw a slight decrease in enrollment compared to the year before.
Stanislaus State’s major popularity matches national trends.
According to the National Center of Education Statistics, the top five majors in the 2021-22 school year were business, health, social sciences and history, biological and biomedical science and psychology.
Here’s a closer look at Stan State:
Business - 1,616 students
Those looking to get a bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field will take classes in the College of Business Administration.
They will pick between several concentrations, including accounting, finance, computer information systems, management, operational management, marketing and general business.
The management concentration has three additional tracks: human resource management, international business and strategy/entrepreneurship.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found the median annual wage for this group was $79,050 in May 2023, higher than the median annual wage for all occupations, $48,060.
Psychology - 1,277 students
Students pursuing a bachelor’s in psychology or related fields will take classes in the College of Science.
Students pick between two concentrations: developmental psychology or experimental psychology.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found the median annual wage for psychologists was $92,740 in May 2023. The bottom 10% earned less than $52,430, and the top 10% earned more than $151,880.
Liberal Studies - 716 students
Those looking to get a bachelor’s in liberal studies or related fields will take classes in the College of Education, Kinesiology & Social Work.
The liberal studies major at Stanislaus State is a pre-professional track for teaching. It leads to multiple subject or special education credential programs.
Students will choose from 26 concentrations ranging in languages, culture, arts, sciences or math.
High school teachers made an average of $65,220 while elementary school teachers made an average of $63,670 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Criminal Justice - 585 students
Students looking to get a bachelor’s in criminal justice or related fields will take classes in the College of the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.
There are four concentrations: corrections, criminal legal studies, juvenile justice and law enforcement.
Police and detectives made an average of $74,910, while lawyers made an average of $145,760, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Biological Sciences - 485 students
Those looking to get a bachelor’s in biological sciences or related fields will take classes in the College of Science.
There are three concentrations: general biology; molecular, cellular and microbial biology or organismal, ecological and evolutionary biology.
The median annual wage for this industry was $78,280 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 11:09 AM.
