8 easy degrees that pay well

Whether you're exploring your strengths or looking for a more flexible college and career path, you might be interested in learning about easy bachelor’s degrees and what they pay after graduation. Good news: there are easy degrees that lead to solid careers.

• While calling a major "easy" is subjective, the eight majors below are generally ranked among the easiest.
• This article will cover the median salaries, highest-paying careers, and top colleges for the following majors: Business Administration, English, Human Resources, Criminal Justice, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Psychology, and Communications.
• Remember, what is considered easy for one student might not always be that way for another. It is always best to choose a degree that is best for you and your goals.

Here are eight to consider as you start your search:

8 easy degrees that pay well

Keep in mind that what is easy for one student may not be easy for the next. However, the eight undergraduate programs we have listed below are generally thought to be the "easiest." When choosing one, think about your strengths and your interests. The more interested you are in a subject, the easier it tends to be for you.

1. Business Administration

Business administration is a top example of an "easy major." Most programs take four years to complete, but some only take three years! These are easy degrees that pay well, and they offer a ton of flexibility with whichever career direction you choose.

This area of study covers subjects like:

• Human resources
• Planning and starting a business
• The processes of a company
• Accounting
• Marketing
• Management
• Logistics
• Decision-making for businesses

Careers for Business Administration majors

Average median starting salary: $39,500

There is a wealth of careers available to business administration majors, and you may even decide to become an entrepreneur! It's a degree that has a lot of potential.

Some top careers that pay well include:

• Chief Executive, median salary: $206,680
• Compensation and Benefits Managers, median salary: $136,380
• Human Resources Managers, median salary: $136,350
• Sales Managers, median salary: $135,160
• Regulatory Affairs Managers, median salary: $133,560

Top Schools for Business Administration

If you're thinking about pursuing a career in business administration, these are some of the top-rated schools that offer this easy major:

1. Babson College (564 degrees awarded annually)
2. University of Southern California (832 degrees awarded annually)
3. Chapman University (453 degrees awarded annually)

See more top colleges for Business majors

2. English

English is another easy major that is considered "simple." This program can open the door to plenty of opportunities, from marketing to writing. Students studying English can often choose between several different concentrations, including creative writing, literature, and journalism. If you love reading and writing, this major can be a great option.

This area of study covers subjects like:

• Communication skills
• Literature
• Writing
• Expository writing
• Writing composition

Careers for English majors

Average median starting salary: $40,400

A few careers you might want to consider with an English degree are:

• English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, median Salary: $78,130
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, median salary: $65,220
• Proofreaders and Copy Markers, median salary: $48,790

Top schools for English

A majority of schools offer English or related majors, but these three reign supreme for this easy major:

1. Columbia University (67 degrees awarded annually)
2. United States Naval Academy (57 degrees awarded annually)
3. Georgetown University (63 degrees awarded annually)

See more top colleges for English majors

3. Human Resources

If you have an interest in business, a knack for law, and a desire to work for others, human resources—sometimes referred to as "human capital" or "people operations"—may be for you. This major prepares you for working in the human resources department or similar areas. Human resource majors help businesses and their employees work through payroll, personnel problems, laws, sexual harassment, and more.

This area of study covers subjects like:

• Management of employees
• Organization policy
• Labor relations
• Sexual harassment
• Civil rights
• Work systems
• Career management
• Hiring and recruitment
• Employee testing
• Job training
• Payroll, pay scales, benefits, and compensation

Careers for Human Resources majors

Average median starting salary: $40,400

Most people who major in human resources will generally go on to work in the field of the same name. Some of the highest-paying jobs include:

• Compensation and Benefits Manager, median salary: $136,380
• Human Resources Manager, median salary: $136,350
• Training and Development Manager, median salary: $125,040
• Business Teachers, Postsecondary, median salary: $97,130
• Labor Relations Specialist, median salary: $89,980

Top schools for Human Resources

If you're pursuing a degree in human resources, these schools may top your list:

1. Rutgers University (263 degrees awarded annually)
2. University of Arizona (176 degrees awarded annually)
3. Western Governors University (835 degrees awarded annually)

See more top colleges for Human Resource majors

4. Criminal Justice

Criminal justice programs often have different areas of concentration available to students, which can greatly impact what you learn about in the classroom. Those who graduate with this degree can go on to become cops, investigators, bailiffs, and corrections officers. Some may also use it as a steppingstone to law school!

This area of study covers subjects like:

• Practices of criminal justice, law enforcement, and organization management
• Law enforcement history
• Leadership
• Labor relations
• Incident responses
• Law
• Budgeting
• Public relations
• Political science

Careers for Criminal Justice majors

Average median starting salary: $40,800

If you want to become a police chief or detective, you'll likely have to start at the bottom of the totem pole, but there are a lot of potential (and exciting) careers that can come from this degree. Some criminal justice majors will go on to become a:

• Compliance Manager, median salary: $133,560
• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives, median salary: $101,750
• Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher, median salary: $69,030
• Patrol Officer, median salary: $72,000

Top schools for Criminal Justice

Students pursuing this easy major should consider one of these top three schools:

1. University of New Haven (237 degrees awarded annually)
2. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (1237 degrees awarded annually)
3. Monroe College (190 degrees awarded annually)

See more top colleges for Criminal Justice majors

5. Marketing

Another easy business-related major is marketing! If you have an interest in advertising, social media, graphic design, or something similar, this could be a great area of study for you. There is a wealth of different avenues you can take with this major, depending on your career goals.

This area of study covers subjects like:

• Buyer behavior
• Marketing research
• Strategic planning
• Advertising
• Sales operations
• Customer relations
• Retail
• Market segments

Careers for Marketing majors

Average median starting salary: $40,600

Not only do you have several options for a career, but you can also work in just about any industry. Almost every business, organization, and nonprofit out there needs someone on their marketing team. Here are just a few of the top-paying careers in the industry:

• Marketing Manager, median salary: $157,620
• Sales Manager, median salary: $135,160
• Advertising and Promotions Manager, median salary: $131,870
• Fundraising Manager, median salary: $119,200
• Business Teachers, Postsecondary, median salary: $97,130

Top schools for Marketing

If you're thinking about getting a degree in this easy major, these three top schools may interest you:

1. Loyola Marymount University (152 degrees awarded annually)
2. Clemson University (281 degrees awarded annually)
3. Miami University-Oxford (234 degrees awarded annually)

See more top colleges for Marketing majors

6. Supply Chain Management

This is probably one you didn't expect to see on this list. We will say, you definitely need to be interested in this subject to find supply chain management easy; however, it is considered to be one of the simplest and best-paying bachelor's degrees out there.

This area of study covers subjects like:

• Logistics
• Handling and receiving materials
• Purchasing
• Inventory control
• Manufacturing
• Shipping management
• Transportation
• Quality control
• Budgeting

Careers for Supply Chain Management majors

Average median starting salary: $39,500

Most students studying this subject will, of course, plan to work in supply chain management. Some top-paying careers in this field are:

• Industrial Production Manager, median salary: $116,970
• Transportation, Storage, or Distribution Manager, median salary: $99,200
• Business Teachers, Postsecondary, median salary: $97,130
• Logisticians, median salary: $79,400

Top schools for Supply Chain Management

For those interested in logistics, materials, and supply chain management, some top schools you should consider include:

1. Rutgers University (270 degrees awarded annually)
2. University of Massachusetts-Amherst (202 degrees awarded annually)
3. Michigan State University (352 degrees awarded annually)

See more top colleges for Supply Chain Management majors

7. Psychology

While you will need a bit of extra education and work experience to become a therapist, undergraduate psychology is regularly thought of as an easy major. There are several specializations based on your interest, so you're sure to find something you're passionate about. It's also a great major for those who want to better understand people, help others, and work in social settings.

This area of study covers subjects like:

• Human behavior, both individual and collective
• Behavioral problems
• Mental disorders
• Research
• Assessment
• Testing methods

Careers for Psychology majors

Average median starting salary: $38,300

Many might think you can't do a lot (or earn much) with just a bachelor's degree in psychology, but they'd be wrong. You could become a:

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, median salary: $147,420
• Regulatory Affairs Manager, median salary: $133,560
• Neuropsychologist, median salary: $117,750
• Clinical or Counseling Psychologist, median salary: $96,100
• Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary, median salary: $82,140
• Social Science Research Assistant, median salary: $56,400

Top schools for Psychology

Psychology can be a strong but easy major, and if you want to receive a top-notch education, consider these three top-rated colleges and universities:

1. Florida International University (1694 degrees awarded annually)
2. Stony Brook University (524 degrees awarded annually)
3. Touro University (301 degrees awarded annually)

See more top colleges for Psychology majors

8. Communications

Another "easy" major we just have to mention is communications. This is a great field if you're interested in current events, the media, politics, cultures around the globe, and new experiences. The field can be competitive, but there are many career options available to graduates.

This area of study covers subjects like:

• Media
• Media technology
• Theories of communication
• Critical thinking
• Printed media
• Digital media
• Mass media
• Journalism and inquiry
• Argumentation
• Persuasion

Careers for Communications majors

Average median starting salary: $40,000

While you may think of journalism when considering a Communications major, there are other job options available to those who earn bachelor's degrees in this field—and they pay fairly well. A few of the higher-paying ones include:

• Public Relations Managers, median salary: $134,760
• Fundraising Managers, median salary: $119,200
• Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, median salary: $79,910
• Editors, median salary: $75,020
• Writers and Authors, median salary: $73,690

Top schools for Communications

Interested in earning an easy degree in communications? Consider these top three schools:

1. Wake Forest University (111 degrees awarded annually)
2. Marist College (148 degrees awarded annually)
3. University of California-Santa Barbara (531 degrees awarded annually)

See more top colleges for Communication majors

FAQs about easy majors

What is an easy major?

We focused on majors that are generally considered easier compared to others. Students tend to have an easier time with the subject matter, and they don’t include courses like organic chemistry or high-level math courses such as calculus. However, "easy" is subjective, and subject matter that is easy for one student may not be so for the next.

Should you choose an "easy" major?

When choosing a major, you should always consider more than what’s "easiest" on a broad scale. Instead, consider the degrees of difficulty AND what is interesting to you, what you’re passionate about, what kind of pay you expect to earn, and what you can see yourself making a career out of.

If you simply go for the "easiest" majors with the highest return, you might not find the subject matter easy at all. If you’re not interested in the subject, it can be difficult to find the motivation to complete work, study, or even attend class. However, these easy majors we listed above can be a springboard for you to choose the path for your future education.

What degrees generally pay the most money?

Generally speaking, STEM-related majors tend to have the highest incomes. However, there are plenty of other majors that can deliver high salaries. For instance, business administration, one of the easy majors we listed above, also has very high earning potential.

Want to explore these undergraduate majors and others that sound interesting to you? Use our Major Search tool to uncover areas of study, what you’ll learn in the classes, the best schools for each major, and career prospects.

*More salary information can be found at Occupation Finder: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)