More US college students are changing majors as AI influences their career choices
Choosing a college major has always involved some uncertainty. Students weigh their interests, expected earnings and the kinds of jobs they might enter after graduation. In recent years, another factor has begun to shape that decision more directly. Artificial intelligence is changing how students think about the future, and in turn, what they choose to study.
This change is now showing up in surveys and enrolment patterns that suggest students are adjusting their plans earlier than before.
More students are reconsidering their majors
A survey by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, based on responses from around 3,800 students in the United States, found that one in six students, or about 16 percent, have already changed their major because of AI and its impact on the job market.
The same survey shows that the shift extends beyond those who have already made a change. About 47 percent of students said they have given at least some thought to switching their field of study for the same reason. This suggests that the decision is no longer fixed early in college, but remains open as students respond to new information about jobs and skills.
Where the shifts are happening
The pattern is not uniform across fields. Students in technology and vocational programmes are the most likely to reconsider their choices, with about 70 percent in each group saying they have thought about switching majors.
At the same time, students in healthcare and the natural sciences are less likely to report that AI has influenced their decision. These fields are often seen as less exposed to automation, which may explain the relative stability.
Among those who have already changed majors, the movement is spread across disciplines. Around 26 percent moved into social sciences, 17 percent into business, and 13 percent into technology-related fields, according to the survey.
Uncertainty within technology fields
The technology sector itself reflects a more complex shift. Interest is not simply moving away from or towards technology, but changing within it.
A report by Niche, based on student interest patterns, shows that students are moving away from areas seen as easier to automate and towards fields linked more closely to AI development. Interest in traditional programming has declined, while areas such as software engineering and artificial intelligence focused specialisations are gaining attention.
Programming accounted for 10 percent of computer science interest in 2026, down from 14 percent in 2020. In contrast, interest in artificial intelligence has grown from 1.7 percent in 2023 to 4.7 percent in 2026. Software engineering has also seen an increase and now makes up about 22 percent of interest within computer science.
Some fields remain more stable
The same survey by Gallup and Lumina Foundation shows that students in humanities, healthcare and natural sciences are among the least likely to switch majors because of AI. These fields are also less likely to report regular use of AI tools.
At the same time, some universities are beginning to adjust their programmes. Liberal arts courses are being updated to include the intersection of AI and traditional disciplines, reflecting a shift in how these subjects are taught rather than a decline in interest.
Degrees and skills are both in focus
The broader hiring environment also plays a role in how students make these decisions. According to HireVue, global hiring trends for the class of 2026 found that 79 percent of entry level roles still require a bachelor’s degree. However, nearly 70 percent of employers are also adopting skills based hiring approaches.
In the US, more than a quarter of organisations have discussed reducing strict degree requirements to widen access to talent. This suggests that while degrees remain important, they are no longer the only signal employers rely on.
As AI continues to influence hiring and skills demand, the process of choosing a major is becoming a decision that students revisit more than once during their education.
This change is now showing up in surveys and enrolment patterns that suggest students are adjusting their plans earlier than before.
More students are reconsidering their majors
A survey by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, based on responses from around 3,800 students in the United States, found that one in six students, or about 16 percent, have already changed their major because of AI and its impact on the job market.
The same survey shows that the shift extends beyond those who have already made a change. About 47 percent of students said they have given at least some thought to switching their field of study for the same reason. This suggests that the decision is no longer fixed early in college, but remains open as students respond to new information about jobs and skills.
Where the shifts are happening
The pattern is not uniform across fields. Students in technology and vocational programmes are the most likely to reconsider their choices, with about 70 percent in each group saying they have thought about switching majors.
At the same time, students in healthcare and the natural sciences are less likely to report that AI has influenced their decision. These fields are often seen as less exposed to automation, which may explain the relative stability.
Among those who have already changed majors, the movement is spread across disciplines. Around 26 percent moved into social sciences, 17 percent into business, and 13 percent into technology-related fields, according to the survey.
Uncertainty within technology fields
The technology sector itself reflects a more complex shift. Interest is not simply moving away from or towards technology, but changing within it.
A report by Niche, based on student interest patterns, shows that students are moving away from areas seen as easier to automate and towards fields linked more closely to AI development. Interest in traditional programming has declined, while areas such as software engineering and artificial intelligence focused specialisations are gaining attention.
Programming accounted for 10 percent of computer science interest in 2026, down from 14 percent in 2020. In contrast, interest in artificial intelligence has grown from 1.7 percent in 2023 to 4.7 percent in 2026. Software engineering has also seen an increase and now makes up about 22 percent of interest within computer science.
Some fields remain more stable
The same survey by Gallup and Lumina Foundation shows that students in humanities, healthcare and natural sciences are among the least likely to switch majors because of AI. These fields are also less likely to report regular use of AI tools.
At the same time, some universities are beginning to adjust their programmes. Liberal arts courses are being updated to include the intersection of AI and traditional disciplines, reflecting a shift in how these subjects are taught rather than a decline in interest.
Degrees and skills are both in focus
The broader hiring environment also plays a role in how students make these decisions. According to HireVue, global hiring trends for the class of 2026 found that 79 percent of entry level roles still require a bachelor’s degree. However, nearly 70 percent of employers are also adopting skills based hiring approaches.
In the US, more than a quarter of organisations have discussed reducing strict degree requirements to widen access to talent. This suggests that while degrees remain important, they are no longer the only signal employers rely on.
As AI continues to influence hiring and skills demand, the process of choosing a major is becoming a decision that students revisit more than once during their education.
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