What Are The 13 Easiest Degrees To Get in 2024?
Updated: June 20, 2024
Published: November 30, 2020
Enrolling in college shouldn’t be hard and neither should earning your degree. However, for many students who apply to traditional and competitive campuses, they are faced with challenges like affordability and acceptability. Luckily, with the rise of online colleges, more students have been able to earn their degree! If you’re questioning what is the easiest degree to get once you get accepted into college, then we have some ideas for you!
Why Get A College Degree?
Choosing to get a college degree comes with numerous benefits that go beyond just career prospects. A college degree fosters personal growth by challenging you to step out of your comfort zone, encouraging self-discipline, and instilling a sense of accomplishment. It also enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential in your personal and professional life.
Moreover, a college education promotes lifelong learning by exposing you to a wide range of subjects and perspectives, helping you to become a well-rounded individual. This broader knowledge base prepares you to navigate the complexities of today’s world, making you more adaptable and capable of handling various challenges.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A College Major
While ease of a college major may be one criteria by which you choose a major, it’s not the only thing to take into consideration. These are some questions to ask yourself when deciding on your major:
- Passion: What am I naturally interested and curious to learn about?
- Natural Talent: Do I possess special skills or talents that would bode well in a profession or specific subject?
- Career Opportunities: How will this degree help open up possible career opportunities?
- Financial Gains: What are the financial prospects of the position I want to hold?
- Networking Opportunities: Will this major help me connect with professionals in my desired field?
- Work-Life Balance: Will this career path allow me to maintain a healthy balance between work and my personal life?
- Financial Considerations: What are the costs associated with this major, and are there scholarships or financial aid options available?
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What Are The 13 Easiest Degrees To Get?
Before we dive into the easiest college degrees you can get, let’s remind ourselves that it is not a good idea to get a degree JUST because it’s easy. Of course, you want to do well in your major classes and have a good GPA. But if you major in something without considering the aforementioned questions, then it could lead to a dead end.
That being said, these degrees do offer many great career opportunities and are well-suited for those who are genuinely interested in pursuing them. Let’s get to it!
1. Theatre
Do you like to be on stage and in front of people? While natural talent isn’t a prerequisite for theatre majors, it does help to be a passionate actor. With this degree, you will learn about plays, dance, acting methods, and more.
- Main Pros: Creative expression and performance skills development.
- Main Cons: Competitive industry and employment instability.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Actor/actress, director, stage manager.
2. Creative Writing
Break out your pens and notepads and get ready to write! A degree in creative writing can open the door to professions like journalism or a role in publishing. Creative writers can also land roles in public relations, communications departments, or on marketing teams. You’ll learn about other writers and spend the majority of time creating your own pieces of work.
- Main Pros: Freedom of artistic expression and strong writing skill development.
- Main Cons: Challenges in finding stable employment and subjective success.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Author, content writer, editor
3. Social Work
Social work is not for the faint of heart and it is a degree that leads directly into the profession of helping others. Social workers spend their time working with vulnerable populations in various settings, from their home to hospitals to schools. One reason why it’s considered an “easy major” is because it doesn’t require hard sciences or math to complete, which are typically considered to be challenging subject areas.
- Main Pros: Positive impact on individuals and communities through advocacy.
- Main Cons: Emotional toll and potential for burnout.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Social worker, counselor, community outreach coordinator.
4. History
You know how the old saying goes, “history repeats itself.” By majoring in history, you’ll understand the past by learning about events since the beginning of recorded time up until now. You’ll also dive deep into why things happened the way they did. This lends insight into modern times and can create the path to becoming a lawyer, teacher, historian, or journalist, to name a few.
- Main Pros: Exploration of human civilization and development of research skills.
- Main Cons: Limited career pathways and employment challenges.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Historian, archivist, educator.
5. Communications and PR
The title of the communications major may be a bit misleading because it’s not all about talking. In fact, communications and public relations has a lot to do with reading, research, critical thinking, and writing. Most people who major in this field go on to work in marketing, business management, or public relations.
- Main Pros: Versatile skills in writing, public speaking, and media management.
- Main Cons: Fast-paced industry and need to adapt to trends.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Public relations specialist, marketing coordinator, media planner.
6. Women’s Studies
Diving into women’s studies offers a perspective on history from the female point of view. In most universities, the major GPA requirements are lower than most, sometimes at 2.0. With this degree, you can find jobs in counseling, human resources, teaching, or social studies.
- Main Pros: Advocacy for gender equality and challenging societal norms.
- Main Cons: Limited career options, need for interdisciplinary skills.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Gender studies researcher, diversity coordinator, social activist.
7. Religious Studies
There are many different religions and beliefs that exist in the world. If you’re someone who wants to know more about the history of religions and their belief patterns, then a religious studies major will fit the bill. The biggest challenge in the degree is that there is no one right or wrong answer, but you will undoubtedly learn more about cultures and religious ideology.
- Main Pros: Exploration of diverse belief systems and cultural understanding.
- Main Cons: Limited career pathways and employment challenges.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Religious studies professor, clergy member, cultural consultant.
8. Foreign Language
Majoring in a foreign language can be considered easy for some and extremely difficult for others. If you major in a language, not only will you be able to speak, read, and write it fluently, but you will also be able to help others understand information. That’s why language majors often go on to work as translators for advertising agencies, publishing houses, airlines, or foreign civil services.
- Main Pros: Development of linguistic and cultural skills.
- Main Cons: Challenges in finding specific language-related careers.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Translator, interpreter, language teacher.
9. Education
Want to become a teacher? You can technically major in whatever you want, but with an education major, you will dive deep into the theories of education and be able to get hands-on practice while learning. You can go on to earn your Master’s of Education to hold specific positions in administration or to become a professor for college students.
- Main Pros: Opportunity to inspire and educate future generations.
- Main Cons: Demanding profession with long hours.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Teacher, school counselor, educational administrator.
10. English Literature
As an English literature major, you will gain mastery in writing, reading, and comprehension. English literature majors tend to have high GPAs because most of the work involves reading. However, finding a career with this major could prove more challenging than the degree itself. It’s beneficial to gain extra knowledge by taking summer classes or boosting marketable skills through a second major or a minor.
- Main Pros: Exploration of literary classics and development of analysis skills.
- Main Cons: Employment challenges, need for versatility.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Writer, editor, literary critic.
11. Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of cultures and human societies. Anthropology majors tend to have a special affinity for the subject which is why they choose it as their major. However, like English literature majors, it’s not the easiest degree to land a position in the workplace. The exception is for those who wish to work in museums or research labs.
- Main Pros: Exploration of cultures and human behaviors.
- Main Cons: Limited career pathways and employment challenges.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Anthropologist, archaeologist, cultural resource manager.
12. Sports Management
Sports management has a lot of similarities and overlapping coursework with business administration. You will learn about public relations, sports, and the human body. The major positions graduates to work in management, PR, or as part of professional sports teams.
- Main Pros: Fusion of business principles with a passion for sports.
- Main Cons: Competitive industry, need for networking and experience.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Sports agent, athletic director, event coordinator.
13. Art
Your creativity could land you a college degree! If you’re an artist, then you can major in the field which will lead to classes of studying paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, and other artistic mediums.
- Main Pros: Opportunity for creative expression and technical skill development.
- Main Cons: Competitive industry, challenges in financial stability.
- Popular Jobs with This Degree: Artist, graphic designer, art director.
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Is Business an Easy Degree to Get?
Whether a business degree is easy or not really depends on you. The program covers a broad range of topics like finance, marketing, management, and economics. If you have a knack for these subjects, you might find the coursework manageable. On the other hand, if numbers and theories aren’t your thing, it could be challenging.
Your experience will also depend on factors like curriculum structure, individual aptitude, and available resources. With dedication and the right support, many students successfully navigate business programs.
Easiest Degrees to Get Online
When exploring higher education, online degree programs stand out for their accessibility and flexibility. While it’s a myth that online degrees are inherently easier than traditional on-campus degrees, they do offer a more convenient and less stressful setup. Online platforms empower students to earn their degrees on their own schedule, allowing them to balance studies with personal and professional commitments.
At University of the People, for example, courses are designed to be 100% online and tuition-free, providing students with the freedom to log in and learn from anywhere at any time. This flexibility enables students to navigate their academic journey at their own pace, making higher education more accessible to a diverse range of learners.
Online degrees also provide tailored learning experiences, utilizing technology to deliver interactive and engaging coursework. This approach caters to individual learning styles, helping students to better absorb and apply the material. By debunking the myth of simplicity, it’s clear that online education is a viable and effective path for many aspiring professionals.
Which Degrees are Easiest to Get at University of the People?
University of the People offers a variety of degree programs designed to be accessible and flexible, accommodating the diverse needs of students. Their programs include degrees in Business Administration, Computer Science, Health Science, and Education, as well as Master’s and Associate’s degrees and Certificate programs.
The university’s commitment to providing a supportive learning environment and self-paced education makes it easier for students to achieve their educational goals. With a focus on affordability and flexibility, UoPeople ensures that higher education is within reach for everyone.
Wrapping Up
Choosing an easy college degree is just one factor in the decision-making process of attending college. Many students end up changing their majors multiple times before landing on the right fit.
So, in an effort to not waste time or money, take time to consider your career prospects and goals, the effort you’re willing to commit to learning, and what subjects you are most interested in before choosing your major.
If you think online college is the way to go, then take a look at our degree programs at the University of the People! While they are not technically part of the “easiest college degrees,” they will definitely set you up with all you need to know to land a lucrative job in your desired field. Plus, they are tuition-free so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
FAQs
Which degrees require minimal effort and time investment?
Degrees in fields such as Theatre, Creative Writing, and Social Work are often considered to require less time and effort compared to more technical or science-heavy disciplines.
Are there degrees that prioritize practical skills acquisition?
Yes, degrees in Education, Communications and PR, and Sports Management focus on practical skills that can be directly applied in the workforce.
Are online degrees generally considered easier to obtain?
Online degrees offer flexibility and convenience, allowing students to study at their own pace. However, the rigor and requirements are comparable to traditional degrees.
Is business an easy degree?
Due to its broad curriculum and practical applications, a business degree is accessible for many students. The ease of obtaining it depends on the individual’s aptitude and interest.
Is psychology an easy degree?
Psychology can be easier for those interested in human behavior and social sciences, but it still requires rigorous study and understanding of complex theories.
Do certain degrees have higher completion rates among students?
Degrees with higher completion rates often include fields like Business Administration and Education, which offer clear career paths and practical applications.
What is the easiest degree to get at the University of the People?
Degrees in Business Administration and Health Science are considered accessible and practical, offering a balance of ease and career applicability.