Dartmouth College

Dartmouth Majors

As a prospective freshman at Dartmouth College, some of the most pressing questions you’ll ask yourself are: what is a college major, and which college major should I choose? With more than 60 Dartmouth majors to choose from, the decision is one that deserves some careful planning.

To help you think about which Dartmouth College major is right for you, we’ll outline the following:

1. What is a college major?
2. Factors to consider in selecting a college major
3. The best college majors at Dartmouth
4. Well-known Dartmouth majors

College Majors: Things to Consider

When it comes to selecting a college major, it can be hard to know where to start. Each school has its own list of college majors with its own unique offerings. But what major is best for YOU?

So, what is a college major?

A college major is a specialty or area of academic focus that you’ll choose to guide your undergraduate coursework. Ultimately, the college major you select will be displayed on your college diploma and may influence your career options in the future.

As you research schools, be sure to look at each list of college majors and think about your favorite classes and subjects. From there, begin to narrow down the list of college majors using the following factors:

1. Consider your academic interests: Hone in on a college major by deciding where your intellectual interests lie. Use this to generate a smaller list of college majors to consider.
2. Future career goals: You do not need to have your career figured out at this point; in fact, most students don’t! However, choose college majors which give you at least a few options for fulfilling careers.
3. School offerings: College majors differ widely at each school. Some schools have strong science focuses, while others are known for liberal arts. Explore the school’s requirements and resources for the list of college majors you’re considering.

Also, rest assured that you can change your college major. The decision you make while applying to school is not set in stone.

Finally, for parents helping their kids choose college majors, this webinar will provide useful advice.

Discovering Dartmouth College Majors

Now that we’ve looked at college majors as a whole, let’s look specifically at Dartmouth academics. As we mentioned, there are over 60 majors at Dartmouth to choose from across the sciences, liberal arts, and humanities. In addition, the school lets students customize their Dartmouth academics by combining courses of study across departments and even designing their own Dartmouth majors.

Most Dartmouth majors require eight to ten courses. Students can then add as many as two Dartmouth majors or multiple minors in different areas of study.

What major is Dartmouth known for?

Firstly, know that the “best college majors” at each school are relatively subjective. However, the reputation of a certain college major at a school can tell you about the quality of instruction you’ll receive.

Of the Dartmouth College majors, economics most consistently receives the highest rankings. Dartmouth’s social science major is also considered one of the best college majors.

Top five most popular majors at Dartmouth

The following programs are the most popular of the Dartmouth College majors:

1. Economics
2. Political Science and Government
3. Engineering Science
4. Computer Science
5. Mathematics

Looking at a college’s list of most popular majors is a great starting point in your search for a college major.

What are the best college majors at Dartmouth College?

A school’s most popular majors are often its best-funded and have the most resources.

However, with the prestige of Dartmouth academics, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the Dartmouth majors. In fact, less popular Dartmouth majors often have lower enrollment. This may offer you a more intimate community of peers. Focus more on what interests you, as opposed to the supposed best Dartmouth college majors.

Lastly, CollegeAdvisor has supported many students as they apply to Dartmouth College and consider what Dartmouth major is right for them. Find out more about one student’s journey to Dartmouth in this article.