The number of students choosing to study in the United States keeps rising. Many applicants struggle greatly when picking their majors. Today we bring you a useful guide. We have compiled the strongest majors at America’s top 10 universities and the most popular majors for overseas students in the US. Let’s take a look!

I. What are the strongest majors at America’s top 10 universities?

1. 1.Princeton University
   Mathematics, Philosophy, History, English, Politics and Economics.
   
2. 2.Harvard University
   History, Business Administration, Mathematics, Economics, English, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Physiology, Political Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Earth Sciences.
   
3. 3.Yale University
   Its core strengths lie in social sciences, humanities and life sciences. The three most popular majors are Biology, History and Economics.
   
4. 4.Columbia University
   Architecture, MBA, Finance, Art History, Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Geology, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, Film Studies, History, Economics, English, French, Spanish, East Asian and Central Asian Languages and Literature.
   
5. 5.Stanford University
   Its signature disciplines include Biology, Economics, Psychology, English and Political Science. Other highly-ranked programmes cover Psychology, Mass Communication, Chemistry, Economics and Theatre.
   
6. 6.University of Chicago
   Anthropology, Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Economics, Geography, History, Linguistics, Physics, Statistics, Sociology and Theology. Its Booth School of Business is nationally top-tier in Finance, Strategy, International Business, Entrepreneurial Leadership and Marketing.
   
7. 7.Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
   Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Philosophy and Political Science.
   
8. 8.Duke University
   Political Science, Public Policy, History, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Its School of Medicine, Law School and Fuqua School of Business are ranked within the national top 11. It is especially renowned for science and engineering programmes.
   
9. 9.University of Pennsylvania
   Anthropology, Economics, Art History, Linguistics, Psychology, Music, Latin, Business, Law, Medicine and Mass Communication.
   
10. 10.California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
    Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Geology, Economics and Political Science. It is widely recognised as the nation’s best in Biology, Planetary Science and Earth Sciences. More than half of its students major in engineering.
    

II. What are the most popular majors for studying in the US?

1. Computer Science

Besides knowledge of computer hardware and software, this field covers robotics, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, programming, big data analytics and game design technology. All tracks place heavy emphasis on problem-solving capabilities.

Sub-majors:

• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
  
• Computer and Information Science
  
• Computer Graphics
  
• Computer Systems Analysis
  
• Data Processing
  
• Game Design
  
• Information Technology
  
• Web Design
  
• Webmaster and Web Management
  

2. Communications

Communication majors tend to cultivate quick-thinking, distinctive students who excel at storytelling. Students spend extensive time studying different forms of communication and the strategies behind information delivery. They analyse audience responses and the impact of communication contexts for both verbal and written messages. Graduates enjoy broad career prospects in business, advertising, human resources, public relations, education and media industries.

Sub-majors:

• Advertising
  
• Communications Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  
• Digital Communications and Media/Multimedia
  
• Journalism
  
• Mass Communication
  
• Photojournalism
  
• Political Communication
  
• Public Relations
  
• Radio and Television
  

3. Government / Political Science

Political science often deals with urgent or major events, so this discipline focuses on timeliness, effectiveness and evolving trends. Simply put, it studies government policies, foreign affairs and political theories. It builds strong logical reasoning and communication skills. The programme requires extensive reading, writing and logical analysis.

4. Business

Business majors develop comprehensive abilities including data analysis, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills. Students learn the full workflow of budgeting, organisation, planning, execution and control.

Sub-majors:

• Accounting
  
• Actuarial Science
  
• Business Administration/Management
  
• Business Communications
  
• Entrepreneurship
  
• Fashion Merchandising
  
• Finance
  
• Hospitality
  
• Human Resources Management
  
• International Business
  
• Logistics Management
  
• Management Information Systems
  
• Managerial Economics
  
• Marketing
  
• Merchandising and Buying Operations
  
• Operations Management
  
• Organizational Behavior Studies
  
• Real Estate
  
• Risk Management
  
• Tourism
  

5. Economics

Economics studies how individuals, firms, governments and societies allocate time, money and resources. It examines the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services in modern society. This discipline features heavy use of mathematical models and rigorous logical thinking.

6. English Language and Literature

English Language and Literature covers literature, language and writing. Students read a large body of poems, novels and other literary works, analyse writing techniques of classic works, and learn related history and culture through literature.

Sub-majors:

• American Literature
  
• Creative Writing
  
• English
  
• English Composition
  
• English Literature
  
• Technical Writing
  

7. Psychology

Psychology focuses on human thought and abilities. It researches how innate and environmental factors shape human learning, cognition, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality and even mental disorders. Psychologists apply education and communication to solve real-world issues related to human minds and behaviours.

Sub-majors:

• Clinical Psychology
  
• Cognitive Psychology
  
• Counseling
  
• Developmental Psychology
  
• Educational Psychology
  
• Experimental Psychology
  
• Industrial Psychology
  
• Physiological Psychology
  
• Psychology
  
• Social Psychology
  

8. Nursing

Nursing suits compassionate and caring students. Nursing undergraduates usually finish all traditional science and liberal arts courses in their first year, then start clinical placements in hospitals or other healthcare institutions from the second year. After graduation, students must pass professional nursing certification exams to practise. Nursing enjoys excellent job prospects and competitive salaries.

9. Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering has many branches, falling under engineering, pure chemistry or biochemistry. It mainly teaches how to work with molecular structures and design chemical reactions under specific conditions. The chemical, food, petroleum and environmental protection industries all rely heavily on this discipline, offering wide career opportunities.

10. Biology

Biology covers nearly all living things, from microorganisms to cloning technology. It studies humans, plants, animals and their environments at the cellular level. Biology graduates can work in medicine, genetics, biotechnology and many other fields.

Sub-majors:

• Anatomy
  
• Animal Behavior and Ethology
  
• Aquatic Biology
  
• Biochemistry
  
• Biology
  
• Biomedical Science
  
• Biotechnology
  
• Botany/Plant Biology
  
• Cell Biology
  
• Ecology
  
• Entomology
  
• Epidemiology
  
• Experimental Pathology
  
• Genetics
  
• Marine Biology
  
• Microbiology
  
• Molecular Biology
  
• Molecular Genetics
  
• Neurobiology
  
• Pharmacology
  
• Plant Pathology
  
• Toxicology
  
• Zoology