The Decline of the Humanities Major: Current Stats

For decades, the path to a college degree often wound through the halls of English, History, and Philosophy departments. Today, that path is rapidly narrowing. Recent data reveals a stark transformation in higher education as students increasingly abandon the humanities in favor of fields with clearer pathways to high-paying careers. This article breaks down the enrollment numbers, identifies the specific degrees losing ground, and examines where those students are going instead.

The Numbers Behind the Drop

The shift away from the humanities is not a sudden crash but a decade-long slide that began shortly after the 2008 financial crisis. According to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and their “Humanities Indicators” project, the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in the humanities fell by roughly 16% to 17% between 2012 and 2020.

To put this in perspective, the total number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in the United States grew during this same period. This means the humanities are not just shrinking in volume; they are losing market share at an accelerated rate. In 2012, humanities degrees accounted for nearly 12% of all bachelor’s degrees. By 2020, that number had dropped to roughly 8% or 9%.

The Hardest Hit Majors

While the decline is broad, certain traditional cornerstones of the liberal arts are seeing the steepest drop-offs. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) highlights specific casualties:

  • English Language and Literature: This major has seen a decline of over 25% since the 2009-2010 academic year.
  • History: History majors have plummeted by approximately 30% since their peak in 2011.
  • Foreign Languages: Enrollments have dropped consistently, leading many universities to consolidate or eliminate language departments entirely.

Where Are the Students Going?

The narrative is often framed as “Humanities vs. STEM,” but the reality is more nuanced. Students are migrating toward perceived financial stability. The data shows clear winners in this migration.

The Explosion of Computer Science and Engineering

The clearest beneficiaries of the humanities decline are technology-focused degrees.

  • Computer Science: Between 2011 and 2021, the number of bachelor’s degrees in computer and information sciences more than doubled.
  • Engineering: This field has seen steady growth, with a roughly 60% increase in degrees awarded over the last decade.
  • Health Professions: Nursing and related fields have surged, driven by an aging population and high job placement rates.

Business Remains King

While STEM gets the headlines, Business remains the dominant major in American higher education. According to NCES data, business degrees consistently account for about 19% to 20% of all bachelor’s degrees awarded annually. This figure has remained relatively stable or grown slightly, acting as a massive anchor against the volatility seen in liberal arts enrollment.

Real-World Consequences: University Cuts

The statistical decline has moved beyond spreadsheets and into university administration offices. Without enrollment numbers to justify funding, colleges are aggressively cutting programs.

West Virginia University (WVU) became a flashpoint for this trend in late 2023. The university announced it would cut 28 academic programs and roughly 140 faculty positions to address a $45 million budget deficit. The casualties included the entire department of World Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, as well as graduate programs in math and public administration.

Similarly, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro announced in early 2024 that it would cut 20 academic programs, including majors in anthropology, physics, and religious studies. Marymount University in Virginia also moved to eliminate majors in English, history, and philosophy to focus on pre-professional tracks.

The ROI Factor: Why the Shift is Happening

The driving force behind these statistics is the “Return on Investment” (ROI) mindset adopted by students and parents. With the cost of college outpacing inflation, families view tuition as an investment that requires a tangible financial return.

Salary Disparities

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York paints a clear picture of why students choose specific paths:

  • Computer Science graduates often see early-career median wages around $75,000 to $80,000.
  • Engineering graduates frequently start near $70,000.
  • Liberal Arts graduates (including English and History) often start with median wages between $40,000 and $50,000.

The Underemployment Gap

It is not just about the starting salary; it is about the ability to find a job that actually requires a degree. The New York Fed tracks “underemployment,” which refers to graduates working in jobs that do not require a college degree. Recent data suggests that recent graduates in the humanities have higher underemployment rates (often hovering between 40% and 50%) compared to graduates in nursing or engineering, where underemployment is significantly lower.

Elite Institutions vs. Regional Colleges

An interesting divergence appears in the data when analyzing different types of institutions.

  • Elite Private Schools: At Ivy League institutions and top-tier liberal arts colleges (like Amherst or Williams), the humanities remain relatively robust. These students often have the social capital or financial safety net to pursue “passion majors” without immediate fear of unemployment.
  • Regional Public Universities: This is where the collapse is most visible. At schools like the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point or the previously mentioned WVU, students are often first-generation college attendees who prioritize immediate employability. These institutions are the ones cutting humanities programs the fastest.

Conclusion

The data indicates a structural shift in American education. The “well-rounded” liberal arts degree is becoming a niche product for a smaller demographic, while the majority of American students are treating college as a vocational training ground for the digital and healthcare economy. Unless the cost of tuition decreases or the salary gap narrows, the statistics suggest the decline of the humanities major will continue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which humanities major has declined the most? History and English have seen the steepest numerical drops. History degrees, for example, dropped by roughly 30% from their peak in roughly 2011 to 2020.

Are women leaving the humanities for STEM? Yes. While the humanities were historically a popular choice for female students, women are increasingly enrolling in STEM fields, particularly in biology and health professions, though the gender gap in computer science and engineering remains significant.

Do humanities majors eventually catch up in salary? They can, but it takes time. Data suggests that while humanities majors start with lower salaries, those who move into management or obtain graduate degrees can eventually rival the earnings of business majors mid-career. However, they rarely catch up to engineers or computer scientists in pure salary terms.

Is the decline happening worldwide? Similar trends are visible in the UK and Australia, where government funding models have shifted to prioritize STEM and vocational courses, leading to cuts in arts and humanities funding.