If you’re looking for a degree that will be hard, but worth it, these are the top five hardest degrees ranked by how much they’ll challenge you:
- Chemical Engineering: It requires a lot of math and science, but you’ll learn how to build things like bridges and cars—and you’ll be able to see a direct correlation between your work and its impact on the world.
- Physics: You’ll need to memorize lots of formulas, but you’ll also learn about how everything in the universe works (including black holes).
- Law: It’s not just about memorizing laws; it’s also about learning how to make them work for you—and sometimes against you!
- Nursing: Nursing school is tough because there are so many different things that nurses have to know about their patients’ health conditions and medications. But once you’re out working as a nurse, it’s rewarding because your job is literally saving lives every day!
- Computer Science: Computer science is all about problem-solving—and there are tons of problems out there!
Hardest Degrees Ranked
Introduction
If you’re looking for a field that’s challenging, but also deeply rewarding, then you’ve come to the right place. In this post we’ll give you an honest look at what it takes to major in some of the hardest college degrees out there. We’ll talk about how difficult these degrees are and why they’re so popular despite their difficulty. You may find yourself surprised by what you learn!
1. Astronomy
If you’re considering a degree in astronomy, it’s important to consider how much time and energy it will take. You’ll need to learn math and science, foreign languages, history, literature and philosophy. You’ll also be expected to get your art on by studying art history.
The most difficult part is that not only do you have to study all of these things but also understand them—and this is where many students fall short.
2. Computer Science
Computer science is a field of engineering that focuses on the design and development of computer systems. Computer scientists need to have an understanding of both hardware and software, as well as how they interact to form a system. Computer science is a broad field that encompasses many sub-fields, including artificial intelligence and networking. It’s one of the most popular fields to study in college because it’s so versatile: anywhere you see people using computers or working with software, there’s likely a computer scientist behind it!
3. Physics
In an announcement that was met with the expected level of surprise, physics was found to be the most difficult degree by a landslide. Students who choose this major are known to work long hours and put in double the amount of effort as students in other fields.
As one student remarked: “Physics is probably one of the hardest degrees because there’s not just one particular subject you’re studying, but rather a bunch of them.”
“There’s so much math involved,” another student said. “That part’s really challenging.”
The consensus seems to be that whatever your field may be, if it requires learning advanced mathematics and then using those skills on a regular basis – well then it must be pretty tough.
4. Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft. It applies principles of physics, materials science (metallurgy), and aerodynamics to design aircraft (or spacecraft), as well as their components such as propulsion systems and structures. The term “aerospace” is from Greek words like “aero”, meaning air; and “space”, meaning outer space; thus aerospace means literally: “of the atmosphere”, or “involving travel by aircraft”.
Aerospace engineers can also be involved with research into new materials for space applications, such as metamaterials that modify the way light waves move through them.
5. Chemistry
Chemistry is a broad field, with many sub fields. This can make it difficult to figure out where to focus your education and career. Chemistry is also a hard degree for students to obtain, and even more so for students who wish to use this as their main area of study after college.
Chemistry is also not a very lucrative degree because there are few jobs available in this discipline, regardless of how much experience you may have or how good you are at what you do. The bright side here is that while getting into the field can be challenging (and expensive), once inside it’s easier than ever before—thanks largely in part to technology—to network with peers throughout the world through online forums like Reddit or Facebook groups focused specifically on chemistry-related topics like “What do former chemists do now?”
6. Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is the discipline that applies engineering, physics, and materials science principles to the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of electrical and electronic devices, as well as electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
Electrical engineers typically hold a degree in electrical engineering or electronics technology. The field’s pioneers developed much of the early electrical technology that would become essential to modern life. This included the invention of long distance electric power transmission lines; AC motors; electronic semiconductor devices such as transistors and diodes; devices for generating precise time intervals with quartz crystals or atomic clocks; digital computers based on vacuum tubes (for example ENIAC); microwave ovens; digital music players like iPod; wireless communication technology like cell phones or mobile communications networks etc.
7. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a broad field of engineering that deals with the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. From simple machines like the lever to highly complex ones such as spacecraft, Mechanical engineers analyze their design requirements and create blueprints for construction. They also design power plant equipment such as gas turbines or internal combustion engines.
Mechanical engineers use their knowledge of manufacturing processes to plan and implement assembly lines. They must make sure that machinery is designed properly so it can perform its task but not be too complicated or expensive to build or maintain.*A mechanical engineer can work in many fields including automotive industry, aerospace industry, robotics industry etc.*
8. Geology
Geology is a science that focuses on the earth’s structure and other geological processes, such as plate tectonics and mineral systems. Geologists use their studies to understand our planet’s history, how it has evolved over time, and how it will continue to evolve in the future.
If you’re considering studying geology as an undergraduate degree program or graduate school program, remember that this field of study covers a wide range of topics—from volcanoes to coasts to rocks themselves—so be prepared for classes that may seem unrelated at first glance. The fieldwork required by geology programs varies widely depending on your area of focus (e.g., oceanography vs. sedimentary basins).
9. Pharmacy PharmD, PhramD-PhD)
If you’re thinking about becoming a pharmacist, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into. This field involves a lot of schoolwork, and it can be challenging. There are many factors that make pharmacy an especially difficult degree path, including the hours spent in class and the number of required courses—as well as its steep tuition costs.
However, there are also plenty of benefits to attaining this degree: pharmacists make good money (an average salary of $112,000 per year), and there is a shortage of pharmacists nationwide so employment prospects are strong for new graduates. In addition to earning more money than other health care professionals, they get great insurance benefits through their employers—and can often choose where they want to live based on cost-of-living data!
10. History (European)
History (European) is a degree that is not as popular as other degrees. It can be done at the undergraduate level and at the graduate level. It is also one of the most difficult degrees to obtain, with only about 25% of students succeeding in getting their degree within six years.
History (European) programs are designed for individuals who want to specialize in European history or have an interest in learning more about European history. The historical knowledge required for this major includes: political science; human development; religion and philosophy; art and music; literature; language and linguistics; anthropology/sociology/political science/psychology/business administration/economics/geography/sociology
The top ten hardest degrees are listed here
- PhD in Economics, University of Chicago
- MS in Computer Science and Engineering, Stanford University
- MS in Computer Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- PhD in Physics, Harvard University (tied with Caltech) 5. PhD in Psychology, Harvard University 6. Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD), MIT 7. Master’s degree in Business Administration – MBA Program at Harvard Business School 8. Doctorate Degree: Biochemistry 9. Post-Graduate Certificate: Management Information Systems 10. Phd Medicine
Conclusion
By the way, did you know that not all degrees are created equal? That’s right — some majors are easier than others and will put less work on your plate. In fact, there are some majors that can get you out of college in as little as two years or even less.
