Double-Majoring on the Decline?

While Double Majors Have Been a Popular Way to Balance a Deep Study of the Humanities with Traditional Degrees in the Sciences, Basic Tabulations Suggest That the Percent of Workers with a Double Major Has Been Roughly Constant, or Even Decreasing, over the Past Six Year's Depending on How One Restricts the Sample.

What Existing Research Says

Previous Research on Whether a Double Major Pays off Has Shown Mixed Results.

What My Research Showed

In My Own Analysis, I Examined Data on over Two Million Full-Time Workers Aged 20 to 65 over a Six-Year Period (2009-2015) Using Census Bureau Data. the Bureau Provides the Largest Source of Publicly Available Information on Individuals and Households, Helping to Ensure That the Analysis Is Both Representative and Detailed. the Data Set Included Information on Each Individual’s Earnings, Occupation, Undergraduate Degrees and a Wide Range of Other Demographic Data.

So Should I Double Major?

So for Those of You About to Head to College, Should You Go for a Double Major? or Should You Advise It to Your Kids?

Does It Pay to Get a Double Major in College?

By Marcus Vance

• Oct 8, 2026 • 6 min read

Does It Pay to Get a Double Major in College?

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

Students Are Bombarded with an Array of Competing Opportunities During College, All with the Promise That Each Will Lead to a Better Job or Higher Earnings Upon Entering the “Real World. ”

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.

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