While you might think that getting a college degree is only for traditional career paths, the truth is, you can get a degree in pretty much any subject that you can dream of, without exaggerating. So if you’re passionate about a specific field, do your research and you may just find yourself the perfect degree program from our list of weird college majors. Normal is all relative, anyways.
What Are Some Weird College Majors?
Here are some cool college majors that you’ve surely never heard of, plus everything you need to know about them if you decide to pursue a career in one of these unique fields of study! Why get a traditional degree anyway when you can get a fun degree?
1. The Science Of Decision
This major teaches students to be experts in quantitative methods of making thought-out decisions.
Job Opportunities: A business consultant or professor.
Salary Range: $53,315 to $122,313 annually.
Degree Type: A PhD in Decision Sciences.
2. Ethical Hacking
Learn how to hack a variety of computer programs in an ethical manner.
Job Opportunities: Information security analyst.
Salary Range: The average salary is $95,000.
Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree in information technology.
3. Adventure Education
An adventure education degree teaches you to make the most of the outdoors, as well as how to expose people of all ages to a variety of challenging adventures that allow for self-discovery. When it comes to fun degrees, this is winning hard!
Job Opportunities: Those with a degree in adventure education can work in outdoor education at a national park, or in a variety of outdoor adventure programs.
Salary Range: An adventure education specialist can make anywhere between $21,854 – $95,200, depending on their experience and position.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree which can be obtained at Plymouth State University.
4. Cannabis Cultivation
When it comes to fun majors, this one is thankfully still legal despite what you may think, teaching students cannabis growing methods.
Job Opportunities: Working for a legal cannabis company or being a master grower.
Salary range: $104,000 on average.
Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree in organic chemistry.
5. Psychic
Learn scientific methods to predict the future. Who said cool college majors didn’t exist?
Those who study astrobiology learn about life outside of planet Earth, and get the chance to explore the early evolution of life on Earth. While this may be up there with the weird college majors, it sure is cool!
Job Opportunities: Those with a degree in astrobiology can work as either a scientist, educator, or astrobiology researcher.
Salary Range: The average salary for an astrobiologist is $49,000-140,000 per year.
Degree Type: The typical degree in astrobiology is at the graduate level
8. Digital Mapping
Learn how to create virtual maps.
Job Opportunities: Working for navigation companies.
Salary Range: Between $24,000 and $36,000.
Degree Type: A master’s degree.
9. Auctioneering
This degree teaches you to best auction off items from top to bottom.
Job Opportunities: As you could have easily assumed, you can work as an auctioneer!
Salary Range: The average salary for an auctioneer is $46,000 annually.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree that can be received at Harrisburg Area Community College.
10. Psychometrics
Learn how to carefully understand test results.
Job Opportunities: Interpreting test results for schools or the government.
Salary Range: $82,393 on average.
Degree Type: A master’s degree.
11. Bagpiping
This major is perfect for anyone that wants to study bagpiping and make a career out of this musical instrument.
Job Opportunities: Those with this degree can either work as a bagpiper or can teach others how to play.
Salary Range: It depends on how much experience the bagpiper has and how many gigs he gets, but on average they make around $200 an hour.
Degree Type: A Bachelor of Music with a speciality in Bagpiping.
12. Turfgrass Science
The maintenance of turfgrass species.
Job Opportunities: Golf course maintenance, or other professional lawn care.
Salary Range: $35,340 on average.
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science.
13. Bakery Science
This is one seriously tasty major where students are trained in all aspects related to the baking industry — including research and production.
Job Opportunities: Studying bakery science can open doors for jobs in restaurants, catering, bakeries, hotels, and even food testing labs.
Salary Range: The average salary for someone in this field is $46,000.
Degree Type: This is a bachelor’s degree that can be received at Kansas State University.
When it comes to cool majors, this is hard to beat. This program allows students to look at the incredible impact that The Beatles had on many aspects of modern society today.
Job Opportunities: Anyone who studies The Beatles as a major can work either as a Beatles historian or a popular music specialist.
Salary Range: $36,850 is the average salary for someone with a specialty in music history.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
15. The Science Of Poultry
Applying biology and chemistry to make chicken safe for human consumption.
Job Opportunities: A quality control specialist or a poultry breeder.
Salary Range: $59,772.
Degree Type: Bachelor of science.
16. The Bowling Industry
Taking a degree that specializes in the bowling industry is not only among our list of fun degrees, but it also provides a comprehensive preparation for working in the bowling industry.
Job Opportunities: Working in any bowling-related job, either in management, sales, or with a more technical focus.
Salary Range: $45,000 is the average salary for a worker in the bowling industry.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
17. Citrus
Taking a degree in citrus will teach you about planting, irrigating, pruning, and fertilizing citrus trees.
Job Opportunities:A degree in citrus can get you a job at at a production company in management or in citrus research.
Salary Range: $43,000 is the average salary for someone in this field.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
18. Canadian Studies
The goal of this degree is to provide students with a deeper understanding of Canada.
Job Opportunities: Students with a degree in Canadian studies can work at Canadian embassies across the globe, or may become political scientists, sociologists, or anthropologists.
Salary Range: $53,544 to $87,171 for a job at the Canadian embassy.
Degree Type: A Bachelor of Arts.
19. Surf Studies
Learn all about the surfing industry, as well as how to run a surfing business.
Job Opportunities: A surf coach or instructor, run a surf school, host surfing events, work in environmental sustainability.
Salary Range: $42,493 on average.
Degree Type: Bachelor of science.
20. Enology
The science of growing grapes and making wine.
Job Opportunities: Winemaking or managing a vineyard.
Salary Range: $50,000 annually on average.
Degree Type: Both bachelor’s and master’s.
21. Chemical Safety
The program focuses on both lab and course work in order to become a professional in the field of chemical safety.
Job Opportunities: Those with this degree can either run a science lab or work as a chemical hygiene officer.
Salary Range: $61,744 is the average salary for a chemical safety officer.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
22. Ecogastronomy
Learn to integrate sustainable agriculture, hotel hospitality, and nutrition based on the principles of ecogastronomy, which aims to provide an alternative approach to human food consumption
Job Opportunities: Working in the restaurant industry, farm management, food policy, nutrition and health assessment.
Students who take this degree are given the chance to learn about the cultures, sciences, languages and histories of ancient Egypt as well as their neighbors.
Job Opportunities: You can work as a historian, a specialized archeologist, or even as an Egyptologist, believe it or not!
Salary range: The average salary for an Egyptologist is $61,220.
Degree Type: Either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from Brown University.
28. Packaging
Learning how to package on an industrial level.
Job Opportunities: A packaging designer or engineer.
Salary Range: $89,503 on average.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
29. Entertainment Engineering
Students who study this major learn the principles of engineering needed for the entertainment industry.
Job Opportunities: Those with such a degree can work in the entertainment industry as an engineer for casinos and shows.
Salary Range: $78,421 is the average salary for someone in this field.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
30. Movement Sciences
Movement science involves learning about both the theory and application of movement.
Job Opportunities: A degree in movement science can get you a job in the fitness industry, as well as in a research lab or in a community organization.
Salary Range: The average worker with a movement science degree earns $57,000 per year.
Degree Type: Such a degree is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Job Opportunities: Performing at a variety of events, working for an orchestra.
Salary Range: From $37,599 to $81,177.
Degree Type: Bachelor of Music.
32. Family Enterprise
This major focuses on understanding the ins and outs of running a family business.
Job Opportunities: With such a degree, you can run a family business, or be a professional advisor for family businesses.
Salary Range: $62,402 is the average salary for a family business owner, however it varies greatly on the type of business.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
33. Jazz Studies
Learn about jazz music techniques as well as its history.
Job Opportunities: Teaching or performing jazz.
Salary Range: $41,895 as a jazz lecturer.
Degree Type: A doctoral of musical arts.
34. Farrier Science
This major studies the art of horseshoeing.
Job Opportunities: Anyone with this degree can work as a farrier (self-employed) or in the agricultural or equine industries.
Salary Range: $18,749 to $27,984 is the average salary range for someone in this field.
Degree Type: Associate degree.
35. Metalsmithing/Blacksmithing
This program teaches students hand skills, as well as critical thinking and aesthetic values.
Job Opportunities: Blacksmiths generally find jobs in factories, or work for metal fabricators. Many also work as farriers, meaning they take care of horse’s feet.
Salary Range: The average salary for a worker in this trade is $38,450.
Degree Type: Trade school is generally where people learn to be a blacksmith.
36. Leisure Studies
Learn how to optimize free time.
Job Opportunities: Teaching, parks, health and fitness industries.
Salary Range: $22,230 – $52,063.
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science.
37. Fermentation Science
This degree studies wine and brewing, with an understanding of the social and cultural implications of food and drinks.
Job Opportunities: This degree can help you get a job in a winery, vineyard, distillery, or brewery.
Salary Range: Such scientists earn an average salary of $81,000 annually.
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science.
38. Mortuary Science
A degree in mortuary science teaches students everything they need to know about conducting a funeral service.
Job Opportunities: A funeral service practitioner.
Salary range: The average salary for someone with a degree in mortuary science is $54,034.
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science.
39. Floral Management
Floral management studies include purchasing, distributing, marketing, and designing a variety of floral products.
Job Opportunities: Floral design, garden design, or floriculture management.
Salary Range: $51,179 is the salary range for someone with such a degree.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
40. Nautical Archaeology
This major studies the remains of ships and boats from a variety of cultures.
Job Opportunities: Maritime Archaeology and Conservation or Nautical and Underwater Archeology.
Salary Range: $92,931 is the average salary for someone in this field.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
41. Being A Nanny
This major focuses on training students about child development and how to care for children safely.
Job Opportunities: A nanny for a family, daycare, or school.
Salary Range: The average salary for a nanny is $30,000 a year.
Degree Type: An associate degree.
42. Coastal Sciences
This program focuses on the processes that occur from the coastal zone to the deep waters on the ocean.
Job Opportunities: A research scientist is the most common job for those who study coastal sciences.
Salary Range: The average salary for someone with such a degree is $92391.
Degree Type: Generally a master’s degree.
43. Pop Culture
Students who study pop culture take courses that focus on the many associated aspects, including movies, TV, music, magazines, and festivals. Did someone say fun majors?
Job Opportunities: Someone with a degree in pop culture can work in public relations, journalism, or advertising.
Salary Range: $43,835 is the average salary for someone with this type of degree.
Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts.
44. Shakespeare Studies
An in-depth study of Shakespeare’s work.
Job Opportunities: Teaching in a school, museum, or theatre.
Salary Range: $48,000 on average.
Degree Type: A master’s degree.
45. Puppet Art
The art of the puppet, managing puppet shows.
Job Opportunities: Theatre performance and design.
Salary Range: $54,590.
Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree.
46. The Race Track Industry
All the aspects of a horse race track are learned.
Job Opportunities: Track secretary, announcer, or journalist.
Salary Range: $54,000 annually is the average.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s and master’s.
47. Comedy
Learn to perfect your humor in both your performance and writing in one of the most fun majors yet.
Job Opportunities: A comedian or comedy writer.
Salary Range: Around $30,000 annually.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
48. Digital Currency
Learn the ins and outs of digital currencies such as Bitcoin.
Job Opportunities: A blockchain developer.
Salary Range: Between $150,000 and $175,000.
Degree Type: Master of Science.
49. Bassoon
Learn to play this 19th century instrument.
Job Opportunities: A professional bassoon player or teacher.
Salary Range: $25,000 – $43,000 annually.
Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree.
50. Costume Technology
Learn the science behind costumes for films and shows.
Job Opportunities: Working on sets for films and shows.
Salary Range: $38,534 is the average.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
51. Gunsmithing
Learn about firearm repair and maintenance.
Job Opportunities: Freelancer or working for a large production company.
Salary Range: $31,910 per year on average.
Degree Type: Certificate program.
52. Resort Management
Hotel management and customer service on a larger scale.
Job Opportunities: Opening a resort or managing one.
Salary Range: $45,877 on average.
Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree.
53. Social Media
Becoming a professional in a variety of social media platforms.
Job Opportunities: Social media manager.
Salary Range: Between $34,432 and $56,571.
Degree Type: Bachelor’s degree.
54. Greenhouse Operations
Learn all about maintaining greenhouses despite seasonal temperatures.
Job Opportunities: Greenhouse grower specialist, greenhouse marketing specialist, hydroponics or aquaponics specialist, planning and production specialist.
Salary Range: Between $48,000 and $72,000.
Degree Type: Associate degree.
55. Somatic Science
Bodywork and movement studies with a focus on internal physical perception.
Salary Range:$56,693 on average for a professional storyteller.
Degree Type: Seminar.
57. Medicinal Plant Chemistry
Learn the principles of chemistry, physics, calculus, and biology to understand and analyze compounds and chemicals from plant materials in order to work with medicinal plants such as cannabis and botanical supplements.
Job Opportunities: Research scientist, quality control and assurance of products, drug testing, extraction and analysis of plans and essential oils.
Salary Range: $79,448 to $105,071 for a medicinal chemist.
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
58. Wildlife
Learn about the preservation of all species.
Job Opportunities: A wildlife biologist.
Salary Range: $51,769
Degree Type: A bachelor’s degree.
What Is Normal Anyway?
What is normal anyway, and who decided how it would be defined? Perhaps it’s what has been understood to be what most of society is doing, but even if you decide to study one of these weird college majors, it really just means that you have a unique personality, and aren’t afraid to go off the beaten track. Good for you!
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More
