10 Least Common Majors

Key takeaways

  • Precision Production, Library Science, Military Technologies, and Theology are among the least common majors.
  • Some majors are uncommon due to limited career demand, niche interest areas, and limited access to specialized equipment or resources.
  • Students shouldn't automatically ignore uncommon majors, but instead consider their long-term goals, passions, and career potential.

Some of the most common majors among recent college graduates include business, health-related programs, and engineering. But what about uncommon majors? Using the data published by the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) for 2021-2022, we've put together a list of 10 of the least popular majors. Keep reading to find out which areas of study are the road less traveled, plus get some insight into potential careers, their median salaries, and projected growth between 2022 and 2032.

Why are some majors "uncommon?"

College Majors can be uncommon for many reasons, including:

  • Limited career demand: If there are fewer career opportunities in a given field, fewer students may pursue that related major.
  • Niche interest areas: Some areas of study only appeal to a select number of students with specific interests. For example, although History is a common major, Medieval Studies is less common as it requires a specialized passion.
  • Emerging fields: Some majors are new, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). As a result, not many schools offer them, and most college students are unaware they can pursue a degree in that specific field.
  • Limited offer: There are majors that require significant resources, specialized equipment, or access to certain locations. Not all colleges will be able to meet these demands, so the area of study is less common as a result. For example, Nautical Archaeology or Marine Archaeology require specialized equipment and access to sites.

10 least common majors

1. Precision Production

Only 28 students graduated in 2020-21 with a degree in Precision Production—and only 12 in 2021-22. This area of study focuses on giving students technical knowledge and skills to work on certain products such as mattresses, furniture, automobile seats, and others. Students will take courses on various machinery and tools, math, production processes, design, and similar subjects.

Some career options with a degree in Precision Production include

  • Machinist
    • Median salary: $50,000
    • Projected job growth: 1.9%
    • Degree required: High school diploma
  • Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter
    • Median salary: $43,000
    • Projected job growth: -1.9%
    • Degree required: High school diploma
  • Carpenter
    • Median salary: $56,000
    • Projected job growth: 0.9%
    • Degree required: High school diploma

2. Library Science

Library science majors acquire skills that will help them organize, store, administer, and use a variety of different collections in print, audiovisual, and electronic formats. Many students who study this as an undergraduate will go on to become librarians, but many librarian jobs do require a graduate degree in Library Science as well.

Only 135 students graduated with a degree in Library Science in the 2021-22 academic year!

56% of librarians have a master's degree. The position has a median salary of $64,000 and is expected to grow 3%.

3. Military Technologies and Applied Sciences

Military Technologies and Applied Sciences majors study military science, intelligence gathering, military technology, national security, military operations, and more. Courses will generally cover computer science, military strategy, management, leadership, field training, ethics, and other subjects that support the area of study.

As of 2021-22, there were only roughly 1,602 students who majored and graduated with a degree in Military Technologies. They can go on to work with defense and military contractors or join the military, but other career options include teaching, engineering, and criminal justice, as well as:

4. Legal Professions and Studies

A major in legal studies is not required to become a lawyer, but Legal Professions and Studies programs do open the doors to several careers in the legal field and could be a strong foundation for students who are interested in going to law school.

In 2021-22, 4,444 students graduated with a Bachelor's in Legal Professions and Studies.

Common career paths are:

5. Communication Technologies

4,851 students received a Bachelor's in Communication Technologies in 2021-22. These programs focus on the study of economics, management, communications, media production, and technology.

These students can go on to work in several careers including as a business analyst, marketer, network engineer, film and video editor, and sound engineering technician.

6. Theology and Religious Vocations

Theology and Religious Vocations draw on multiple disciplines to explore divine and spiritual traditions. Students can expect to take classes in biblical studies, world religions, history, philosophy, literature, and others.

In 2021-22, 6,394 students graduated with a degree in Theology and Religious Vocations.

Many go on to careers in religion, but some options include:

7. Transportation and Highway Engineering

Majoring in Transportation and Highway Engineering means studying the operation, build, and management of transportation equipment, logistics, safety, and similar subjects. Students can take it a step further and decide to study Air Transportation or Marine Transportation.

While this major is seeing some growth at the moment, only 6,540 students graduated with this degree in 2021-2022.

Those who graduate can go on to work in trucking, piloting, logistics, or several other fields. Some career options include:

8. Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

About 6,658 students majored and graduated with a degree in Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies in 2021-2022. Those who pursue this area of study will learn about the defined areas, countries, and regions as well as defined minority groups and issues that affect collective groups.

Job opportunities with a degree in Area, Ethnic, and Gender Studies can range quite a bit. Here are some examples:

9. Architecture

Among the least common majors in the US between 2021 and 2022 was Architecture, with only about 9,462 students earning their degree in the major. The area of study focuses on engineering, art, drawing, designing, the theory of design, layouts, and the history of architecture.

Those who earn a degree in this major can go onto work as building surveyors, professors, project coordinators, and:

10. Philosophy and Religious Studies

Those pursuing a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies will focus on building various skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and writing. Courses dive into human interactions and existence, humanity, meaning, morals, values, and beliefs. Although many students will take a philosophy or a religion related class during their time in college, only 11,230 graduated with a degree in this area of study.

This particular area of study opens the door to several job opportunities, including those in business and finance, education, nonprofit work, religion, medicine, and law. Here are a few examples:

Should you pursue one of the least common majors?

Just because a major is "uncommon," it doesn't mean you shouldn't consider it a viable option. Some areas of study, such as Artificial Intelligence or Precision Production, are simply limited because most colleges don't offer them. These two majors teach you valuable skills that can be applied to a number of different careers. Another "unpopular" major is Library Science. However, this is an excellent option if you're planning to pursue a graduate degree in Library Science, a requirement for most librarian jobs.

Before choosing to pursue an uncommon major, you'll want to research your options and consider these points:

  • Long-term goals. Will this uncommon major help you achieve your long-term goals? Think about your career and education goals. If you're planning on a specialized career or a specific grad program, a niche area of study can give you a leg up.
  • Passion. Engaging with a field you love, even if it's uncommon, can be fulfilling. But keep in mind that if your passion wanes, finding motivation can be difficult.
  • Career opportunities. Niche majors often have fewer job openings, which could present problems after graduation. Look at career growth projections and possible adjacent careers should your first choice not work out. The least common majors could be in high demand in certain regions.
  • Transferable skills. Many uncommon majors still teach valuable skills that can be transferable and work in other fields. However, if it's too specialized, you could be extremely limited when it comes time to find a job.
  • Comparable options. Some uncommon majors have comparable majors that are more common and could give you additional skills. Students interested in a master's degree in Library Science, for example, tend to major in English. Students interested in AI might want to consider data science or Computer Science.
  • Majors vs. minors. vs. concentrations. Depending on your interests, you might want to consider pursuing a less common area of study as a minor or concentration. This allows you to focus on your passions while also gaining more transferable skills.

Even if your intended major is among the "uncommon," don't let it discourage you from pursuing the area of study. These 10 majors, and other less common options, all have fantastic career paths that can pay off. Less popular doesn't always mean there are fewer opportunities!

Reviewing your goals, passions, strengths, and interests, as well as career opportunities and growth projections, can help give you insight into the best major for you.

Need more tips to help make life in college easier—including picking the right major? Check out our Student Hub for resources to support you every step of the way.

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