Key Information:
- The list includes degrees that are considered easier because they typically require less rigorous training, such as Liberal Arts and Communications.
- Despite being easier, these degrees can lead to a range of job opportunities in fields like public relations, education, and human services.
- Many of these degrees are offered online, providing flexibility for students who may need to balance studies with other responsibilities.
- Easiest bachelor’s degree programs focus on providing a broad understanding in their respective fields without the intense specialization or technical skills required in other disciplines.
If you don’t know what degree you want to pursue, you may want to consider which degrees are simply the easiest. The easiest bachelor degree programs will be those that do not require a great amount of additional training. For example, liberal arts degrees do not require clinical or practicum experience. Let’s take a look at some easy degrees that might be a good fit for you.
This article was originally published in June 2022 and updated in January 2024.
What Makes Some Degrees Easier Than Others?
Are there really any easy degrees? One of the main things that contribute to easy degrees will be the amount of additional training required. Some degree programs will require that you conduct clinicals or practicum outside of the classroom.
Degrees that often require this type of additional training would be teaching degrees and many medical degrees. Clinicals and practicum will cut into your time outside of the classroom. They also complicate your schedule if you already work a job or have other obligations outside of school.
We started on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) site reviewing the most popular majors among the 1.9 million bachelor’s. Next, we eliminated STEM degrees known for their complex formulas and rigorous research. We accessed sample online curricula for non-technical college majors to judge which had the most ease. Online degree programs had to have little or no lab and project courses.
Our team consulted PrepScholar to see which college majors had the highest median GPAs near 3.0 or better. We gave preference to the most meaningful college majors listed by PayScale. Our final step located accredited distance colleges awarding each degree in four years or less.
1. Liberal Arts
Liberal arts is a well-rounded, generalist education rooted in the classical trivium. Majors skim through easy, flexible liberal arts courses from rhetoric to literature and philosophy with a focus on critical thinking skills.
An online liberal arts bachelor’s degree develops Forbes’ most in-demand “soft” skills for wide-ranging jobs. These include sales consultants, realtors, intelligence analysts, and paralegals.
- Excelsior College — Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts Online
Check this out! Top 15 Online Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree Programs
2. Interdisciplinary Studies
Interdisciplinary studies is a customized major offering two or more concentrations. Online undergrads can get up to 90 transfer credits accepted. After that, they can choose the easiest courses based on their unique strengths. Career paths, including office manager, economist, librarian, and copy editor, are limitless after the individualized curriculum. In addition, it’s great preparation for an advanced degree like a master’s.
- Stevenson University — Online B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies
We name the best! Top 30 Best Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies
3. Communications
Communications majors simply examine how humans exchange information orally or non-verbally. Already eloquent wordsmiths will likely find taking courses on grammar, debate, and persuasion facile in their online degree programs. A communications background is marketable for media strategists, journalists, news producers, publicists, radio hosts, and more.
- Lamar University — Online BS in Communication
Our picks of the best in Digital Communications: 15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Digital Communications plus, 25 Best Digital Communications Certificates
4. Religion
Religion bachelor’s degree students study the theology of sacred belief systems followed by nearly 5 billion people worldwide. Students spend their time reading the Scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and others to draw moral conclusions.
Majoring in religion builds Church career paths like a priest, pastoral counselor, chaplain, and Bible teacher. A degree in religious studies does not include memorizing complicated formulas the way a science or math degree would. Students will simply explore the religious models of the world and history for a better understanding of how these models now translate into modern society.
The drawback of easy degrees could be the fact there are few clear-cut career paths for those who graduate with this degree. Many people consider it more of an opportunity for intellectual stimulation.
- Athens State University — Bachelor of Arts in Religion Online
5. Women’s Studies
Women’s studies is an easy social science major for discussing how gender roles impact half of the globe’s population. Students learn about the societal injustices that sparked the feminist movement. Choosing WS courses is suitable for future activists, nonprofit directors, health educators, union organizers, and policy aides.
Many schools require a minimum of courses for degree completion as well. With low GPA requirements, this is an easy degree option. Those who graduate with this easy bachelor’s degree can find work as social workers, counselors, or teachers.
- Oregon State University — Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies B.A. Online
6. Human Services
Human services have strived to improve individual and community well-being since the 1950s. Kind, compassionate undergrads learn about people’s basic needs to help diverse vulnerable populations.
Common career paths include addiction counselor, probation officer, child welfare worker, vocational specialist, and case manager. It’s one of the easiest bachelor degree programs.
- Drury University — Online B.S. in Human Services
We have a couple of Human Services articles that are super helpful: 10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Human Services and 15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Services
7. Film Studies
Film studies is an easy, artistic bachelor’s degree focused on the cinematic methods used to create Hollywood blockbusters. Movie buffs will enjoy plenty of binge-watching to observe the thoughts and emotions behind award-winning scenes. Mastering film helps tomorrow’s actors, directors, camera operators, screenwriters, and set designers.
- Arizona State University — Online B.A. in Film & Media Studies
8. Ministry
Ministry degrees are abundant at ABHE-accredited colleges to follow Christ’s example. This major is more spiritual than academic to prepare students for thoughtful service. Ordination may require a graduate degree. Still, majors could excel as:
- Youth Pastors
- Worship Directors
- Religious Education Teachers
- Missionaries
Check out these fine schools:
- Eastern University — Online BA in Youth Ministry Leadership
9. Education
Education majors analyze how the brain learns to develop pedagogical strategies for PK-16 classrooms. Online education bachelor’s degree programs usually let students interact with kids in student-teaching.
Non-licensure tracks might skip practicum entirely. Potential jobs include teacher, tutor, Head Start director, nanny, campus counselor, and coach.
- University of Georgia — B.S. in Special Education Online
Check out our picks of the Best, Most Affordable and Fastest online ECE options: 15 Best Early Childhood Education Degree Online Bachelor’s Programs, 10 Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Degree Online Bachelor’s and 10 Fastest Online Early Childhood Education Degree Bachelor’s Programs
10. Sociology
Sociology steers clear of hard sciences to answer questions about human culture and interaction. Majors make the world their lab to observe people’s behaviors in various social situations easily. Knowledge of society could help springboard into jobs like city planner, market research analyst, labor relations specialist, and pollster.
- Southern New Hampshire University — Online BA in Sociology
11. English
English majors maintain an average 3.3 GPA while studying works from Tolstoy to Tolkien. Four years of high school English have already given you the reading and writing skills to continue analyzing texts.
Being proficient in the #1 most widely spoken language helps authors, proofreaders, content marketers, and more.
- American Public University — BA in English Online
12. Public Relations
A public relations bachelor’s degree instills promotional tactics to create pleasing personal or corporate brands in the media spotlight. Social butterflies enjoy PR courses on speeches, press releases, and advertisements. Graduates are often PR specialists, spokespeople, social media managers, campaign directors, and account execs.
- Franklin University — Online BS in Public Relations
13. Music
Music programs tune into the performance of choral or instrumental sound for acoustical aesthetics. Students will sing through their studies from Mozart to Madonna. In addition, likely jobs might be music to your ears, such as:
- Composer
- Conductor
- Singer
- Recording Executive
- Vocal Coach
Yes! Berklee College has an online music production offering!
- Berklee College — BPS in Music Production Online
14. Criminal Justice
Criminal justice majors learn the law enforcement system for targeting, arresting, and punishing offenders. Unlike more difficult law degrees, these easy online options focus more on the causes and responses to crime than tricky judicial codes.
Securing jobs like police officer, prison guard, court reporter, private investigator, and bailiff is possible. Plus, criminal justice is high-paying without an advanced degree.
- Washington State University — Online Criminal Justice BA
Is Criminal Justice your passion? We’ve named the best and the fastest options!: 15 Best Online Criminal Justice Degree Bachelor’s Programs and 10 Fastest Online Criminal Justice Degree Bachelor’s Programs
15. History
Moving on, history is another easy humanities major focused on surveying the past. Historians apply their knowledge to understanding cultural and political trends. It’s ideal for bookworms who prefer memorizing unchanging facts from ancient to modern times. Studying earlier periods suits aspiring:
- Curators
- Teachers
- Archivists
- Art Historians
- Preservationists
- Tour Guides
We’ve named a school for you to check out:
- University of Memphis — BA in History Online
16. Child Development
Child development degrees teach the growth milestones that youth reach from the womb to adulthood at age 18. Majors only need basic biology courses. Furthermore, students also study kids’ emotions, family relations, and social interactions. Employment tracks include parent educator, child life specialist, daycare administrator, and adoption worker.
- Concordia University St. Paul — Online B.A. in Child Development
17. Fine Arts
Fine arts can be a stress-free bachelor’s degree for creative minds. For one, there are few tests and no wrong answers. Secondly, online students use their home studios to create portfolios of artwork based on their passions. Whether they are cubists or ceramists, artists won’t be starving. Jobs include:
- Animators
- Graphic Designers
- Illustrators
- Photographers
Begin your career in Fine Arts!
- Academy of Art University — Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Online
18. General Business
General business is among the easiest B‑school majors for a broad introduction to the market without hefty finance and law courses. Around 364,000 U.S. undergrads finish studying the inner workings of organizations each year.
It’s perfect for careers like project manager, auditor, insurance sales agent, fundraiser, and compliance officer. Even without an advanced degree, graduates can make a good salary. For applicants, the business administration average GPA is 3.53.
- University of Phoenix — B.S. in General Business Management Online
A Business Administration degree can open doors in so many ways: 15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration and 10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration
19. Psychology
Psychology is a popular, versatile major that evaluates connections between the brain, body, and behavior. Most schools require a statistics course. However, most courses involve reading and testing theories on people’s thought patterns.
Getting into the mind would interest future psychiatric aides, therapists, victims advocates, and diversity officers, and psychology majors can even find work in marketing, business, and design.
- Capella University — Bachelor of Science in Psychology Online
Check these out: 15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology and 10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Psychology
20. Sports Management
Sports management programs teach basic business to equip teams of undergrads for hitting home runs in this exciting $73.5 billion industry. Online courses aren’t all fun and games, but they’ll be pretty easy for avid sports fans. SPM majors score job offers like arena manager, athletics administrator, contract analyst, agent, and fitness director.
- University of Iowa — Online B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management
We’ve compiled 3 Sports Management ranking options for you, each with its own unique attributes: 15 Best Online Sports Management Degree Bachelor’s Programs, 10 Fastest Online Sports Management Degree Bachelor’s Programs and 10 Most Affordable Online Sports Management Degree Bachelor Programs
21. Nutrition
Nutrition is a public health major focused on nourishing energized bodies with the right foods and vitamins. This practical bachelor’s degree will involve a few STEM courses like chemistry, but other content is “common sense.” Online nutrition tracks feed careers for dietitians, chefs, food technologists, eating disorder counselors, and trainers.
- University of Alabama — B.S. in Food and Nutrition Online
Is nutrition and health your passion? Check out these certificate and bachelor’s degree options: 15 Best Online Nutritional Science Certificates and 10 Best Online Nutritional Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs
22. International Affairs
International affairs is a peacekeeping liberal arts major focused on studying the world’s governance across borders. The seminar-style classes involve more debates and short essays than tests, in addition to fun travel opportunities abroad.
A global mindset helps diplomats, military officers, NGO directors, refugee specialists, and economists.
- Penn State University — Online B.A. in International Politics
23. Spanish
Spanish majors say “¡Hola!” to Babbel’s #3 easiest foreign tongue for English speakers to master. You’ll learn the vocabulary and grammar rules of this widely spoken Romance language along with the Iberian Peninsula’s lively culture. Spanish speakers could excel as translators, airport personnel, immigration officers, reporters, and ESL teachers.
- Mercy College — BA in Spanish Online
24. Creative Writing
Creative writing is a subjective literature major that unleashes the imagination for publishing entertaining fiction. Following J.K. Rowling’s and James Patterson’s footsteps will substitute complex equations for freeing poems and prose.
Great job options include novelist, art director, lexicographer, songwriter, SEO specialist, and literary agent. Creative writing ranks highly as an easy degree option as there is really no wrong way to complete many of the assignments.
Students who have a good grasp of writing and basic grammar can spend the majority of this course enjoying the writing of great authors and creating their own masterpieces. Career paths can include careers in writing and publishing. Technical writing is another great option for writers.
- UMass Amherst — Online BA in Creative Writing
25. Marketing
Marketing is a business niche centered on consumer selling tactics to draw big profits. This major easily boils down to four Ps (product, price, promotion, and place) with very little math work and more applied projects than exams. It’s a perfect choice for an online bachelor’s degree. Compelling media skills help eCommerce specialists, sales reps, web producers, brand managers, and more. A marketing manager can make very high pay as well.
- Walsh University — BBA Specialization in Marketing Online
Looking for a Marketing degree that fits your needs better? 15 Best Online Marketing Degree Bachelor’s Programs, 10 Fastest Online Marketing Degree Bachelor’s Programs and 10 Most Affordable Online Marketing Degree Bachelor Programs
26. Public Administration
Public administration focuses on the formation of good government policy to run thriving cities, states, and nations. This simple, flexible major teaches civil servants about social issues without complicated data. Typical job titles are legislator, public interest advocate, mayor, county commissioner, city manager, and senator.
- Northern Arizona University — Hybrid Bachelor’s in Public Administration
A degree in Public Administration could land you the position of Mayor!: 15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration or 10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration
27. Anthropology
Anthropology is another easy social science major. To put it simply, anthropology investigates how humans and societies have evolved since the Big Bang. Playing Margaret Mead will involve comparative research, but STEM majors will envy your electives. Students attend grad school or become museum techs, surveyors, field assistants, and environmental specialists.
- Western Illinois University — Online B.A. in Anthropology
28. Human Resources
Human resources degrees align with SHRM standards to review 21st-century workforce needs in diverse industries. HR lets “people” persons easily learn what employees want in a field poised for a comfortable 10-year growth of 7 percent.
Alumni succeed as job analysts, benefits managers, recruiters, mediators, and training specialists. Plus, an online bachelor’s degree program helps working human resources managers get their degrees.
- Mount Mercy University — Online BBA in Human Resources Management
Are you a people person? Check out these Human Resources options: 15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources and 10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources
29. Social Work
Social Work is an altruistic human services field started in the 1880s to solve injustices crushing the marginalized. CSWE-accredited programs aren’t difficult, but they don’t rank higher because of the added 150–600 hours of practicum.
BSWs may fulfill state licensing for military, palliative, family, addiction, mental health, and macro social work jobs. It may not be the easiest bachelor degree to get, but it’s close.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that social workers have many career opportunities. A master’s degree can increase jobs that pay well.
- Briar Cliff University — Bachelor of Social Work Online
See also: 15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work and 10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Social Work
30. Geography
Geography studies the Earth’s surface and atmosphere to answer questions about our living environment. While it’s not as easy as memorizing capitals, the liberal arts major trades hard STEM courses for atlases. Pointing your compass here offers jobs like cartographer, town planner, landscape designer, conservationist, and travel agent.
- Marshall University — Online BA/BS in Geography Program
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to spend minimum time and effort for maximum gains, earning an easy college degree should be in your plans. An easy degree lets you spend more time on non-academic pursuits, reduce your academic stress. It also lets you explore a wide range of fields first before deciding on a more challenging field, as is the case with a liberal arts or general studies degree.
Science and math degrees may be more challenging for most because they involve more structure and sequence (i.e., prerequisites) in their coursework. Humanities degrees have more flexibility in their course selection and sequence (i.e., electives). Science and math degrees also require proficient STEM and laboratory skills, while humanities degrees require competency in reading and writing. Both demand communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills.
Professional degree programs, such as MBA, law, and medical doctor programs, involve highly specific and specialized fields. Technical degree programs emphasize technical knowledge and skills, such as engineering technology, automotive technology, and HVAC. On the other hand, bachelor’s degree programs provide students with a comprehensive education, resulting in a well-rounded set of hard and soft skills.
Many consider a liberal arts degree the easiest because of its comprehensive approach to a wide range of subjects. Some say a communications degree isn’t so hard either, particularly if writing, speaking, or literature subjects interest you.
A General Studies degree leads to PR director, technical writer, and copywriter jobs that pay between the $53,000 and $66,000 range. With a Humanities degree, you can become a sales representative, a PR manager, or a travel agent and make anywhere between $59,523 and $69,775. These figures, however, vary based on your experience, professional training and certifications, licenses, and position.
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