Planning for Popular Majors: What Every College-Bound Family Should Know

Introduction: Why Popular Majors Are a Data-Driven Decision in the Age of AI

Choosing a college major is one of the most important decisions a student will make—and it’s not always an easy one. With so many popular majors to choose from, each with its own career paths, earning potential, and academic demands, families often feel overwhelmed navigating the options. Understanding the trends, opportunities, and challenges associated with popular fields of study is key to making an informed choice. In this guide, we’ll break down what college-bound families need to know about planning for popular majors—from aligning a student’s interests and strengths to considering job market realities and long-term goals.

At Advanced College Planning, we encourage families to go beyond college rankings and look at data that truly matters—admissions trends, major-specific acceptance rates, and the AI-driven skills that will future-proof your student’s degree. In this guide, we’ll break down how to plan smartly for popular (and often impacted) majors, where to find hidden data, and how to align your student’s strengths with what colleges—and employers—are really looking for.

📈 What Makes a Major Popular in 2025—and Why It Matters

A major becomes popular when it has high demand both from applicants and from employers. Thanks to AI-driven industries, some majors have seen a surge in interest over the last five years:

• Computer Science & Data Science (AI development, machine learning, cybersecurity)

• Engineering (Robotics, biomedical, and AI-integrated systems)

• Business Analytics & Finance (AI in forecasting, blockchain)

• Health Sciences & Nursing (especially with AI-driven diagnostics and wearable tech)

Explore additional guidance on choosing AI-aligned majors at CCMR with Ms. Thrash. and high ROI. However, they’re also extremely competitive, and that means students need more than just good grades to stand out.

Quick Insight: Many of the fastest-growing job sectors according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are directly tied to majors influenced by AI and data science.

🚨 The Rise of Impacted Majors: Why Your Student May Be Competing with Thousands

An impacted major is one where the number of qualified applicants exceeds available spots. In 2025, impacted majors are not only harder to get into—they often require:

• Higher GPAs

• Subject-specific AP courses (like AP Computer Science or AP Biology)

• Portfolios or project-based proof of skills

• Early application deadlines

Key Examples in 2025:

• Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

• Cybersecurity

• Biomedical Engineering

• Nursing

• Psychology (especially at research universities)

Impacted majors also sometimes restrict internal transfers. So if your student thinks they can “transfer in later,” think again—many institutions, including UC and CSU schools, require strict prerequisites and GPA thresholds even for enrolled students.

For updated impaction lists and planning tools, visit Alabama Possible.

🔍 Finding the Right Data: Beyond Rankings, Use the CDS and Major-Specific Reports

Rankings only tell part of the story. Instead, families should be using:

✅ The Common Data Set (CDS)

• Section C7 shows which admissions factors matter (GPA, rigor, essays, test scores)

• Section C8 gives GPA breakdowns for admitted students

• Section C9 lists SAT/ACT scores for admitted students

✅ Major-Specific Acceptance Rates

• Found on college institutional research pages or through admissions counselors

• Often much lower than overall school admission rates

✅ Skills and Career Outlook (AI-focused)

• Use platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and O*NET to understand what employers in AI-driven fields want

Example: UC Irvine’s acceptance rate for Computer Science is significantly lower than its overall rate. And many AI-focused programs across top public universities now require additional applications or coursework.

📊 AI-Enhanced Benchmarking: How to Position Your Student Strategically

With popular majors, you must match your student’s academic profile to actual data. AI tools now make this process easier than ever:

• College Match AI platforms (like Scoir, MaiaLearning, or CollegeVine) compare your student’s stats to historical admissions data

• CDS + AI Forecasting can simulate chances of admission based on current trends and peer comparisons

• Admissions Probability Engines allow for dynamic what-if analysis: “What if we improve test scores or add another AP course?”

Benchmark using:

• GPA vs. average for accepted students in the major

• AP/IB course alignment with major

• Project-based work (coding portfolios, science research, startup projects)

💡 Insider Perspective: How AI is Shaping Admissions Strategy

We recently spoke to a college counselor using AI to help students plan smarter:

Q: What’s changed most in the last few years about popular majors?

“Admissions offices are inundated with applicants who look identical on paper. AI is helping families personalize strategy—like finding schools where their student’s niche interest or project experience fills a gap.”

Q: How do you use CDS data?

“I compare it to student profiles in AI-powered dashboards. That makes it clear whether we’re reaching too high—or missing safer matches with strong programs.”

🧭 Final Thoughts: Smart Planning Is Data-Driven—and AI-Savvy

Popular majors are competitive because they lead to high-demand, future-ready careers. But families who use rankings alone miss the deeper picture. By tapping into the Common Data Set, major-specific admissions data, and emerging AI tools for benchmarking, you can build a more realistic and impactful college strategy.

At Advanced College Planning, we believe in giving families the tools to look beyond brand names and focus on alignment—between student strengths, career trends, and smart admissions strategy.

❓ FAQs: Planning for Popular Majors in the AI Era