Should AI Factor Into Choosing a College Major?

By Road2College

Should AI Factor Into Choosing a College Major?

By Road2College

Published on January 10, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just reshaping technology; it’s reshaping the job market, the classroom, and the very skills employers value. As students think about majors and career paths, many are asking, Should AI influence what I choose to study? The short answer is yes, but not in the way many people assume.

In recent years, AI has gone from niche software to an integral part of many industries. Tools that can write, analyze data, and even code are no longer futuristic; they’re being integrated into everyday workflows. According to a 2024 McKinsey report, AI could add trillions of dollars to the global economy and transform the nature of work across various sectors, including engineering, healthcare, and media.

That doesn’t mean every job will disappear, but it will change how many jobs are done.

How AI is Changing Computer Science and Engineering

In fields like computer science and engineering, the AI impact is clear. Employers increasingly expect graduates to understand machine learning, data science, and AI ethics in addition to foundational skills.

Many top programs now offer dedicated courses in AI: for example, Carnegie Mellon, MIT, and Stanford have expanded AI content across their curricula, not just in computer science departments but in business, design, and even humanities contexts. Some schools, such as Ohio State, now require all freshmen to take a course in generative AI and multiple workshops aimed at real-world applications to help them master the technology.

Some roles that once relied heavily on routine coding are evolving. Entry-level software engineering jobs are increasingly expected to involve AI tools for code generation and optimization, meaning students who focus only on traditional programming may miss a key aspect of how the field is changing.

But experts stress this as evolution, not elimination. Planning to major in computer science or engineering can still be a strong choice, especially for students who embrace AI literacy as part of their toolkit.

In many fields, AI doesn’t simply erase roles. It reconfigures responsibilities. A 2024 World Economic Forum report forecasts that while AI could displace certain tasks, it is also expected to create more new roles than it eliminates by 2027, especially in fields requiring human judgment, creativity, and interpersonal skills.

This nuance matters for students with high expectations for salary and impact. Choosing a major solely on whether AI will “destroy jobs” oversimplifies a complex labor market. Instead, students should ask these questions:

What tasks in this field are least likely to be automated?
What skills will be augmented by AI — and what skills remain uniquely human?

Non-Tech Majors: AI Still Matters

AI’s impact on college majors isn’t limited to engineering and computer science. Every discipline is adapting — some faster than others.

In nursing and healthcare, AI tools are being used for diagnostic support, data management, and patient monitoring. But the core of nursing, which involves empathy, clinical judgment, and human interaction, remains inherently human. AI can assist, but not replace, nurses. Students in nursing programs with AI coursework in informatics or health systems analytics may graduate with a competitive edge.

For those who aspire to teach or work in education, AI can support lesson planning, personalized learning, and grading, but educators are still essential for mentorship, classroom management, and human connection. Teacher preparation programs that teach future educators how to use AI responsibly and integrate technology into learning may better prepare them for classrooms where AI tools are common.

In the fields of mass communications and journalism, AI tools can draft copy, summarize information, and analyze audience data, but the strategic thinking, ethical decision-making, storytelling, and brand voice creation that communicators provide are distinctly human. Communications programs that integrate AI literacy alongside critical thinking are likely to produce graduates who can leverage AI rather than be outpaced by it.

AI Literacy: A Skill Across College Majors

Rather than steering students away from certain majors because of AI, some experts say a more useful approach might be to integrate AI literacy into whatever students choose to study. Employers increasingly value:

AI awareness: understanding what AI can and cannot do
Ethical judgment: knowing how to use AI responsibly
Data fluency: interpreting insights generated by AI systems
Problem framing: asking the right questions for humans and machines

These capabilities can enhance any major from psychology to business to environmental science.

How Students Can Prepare Themselves for an AI World

Here are practical steps students can take to ensure they are prepared for an AI-enhanced future:

Seek AI-inclusive coursework.

Even if AI isn’t central to a major, students can take electives in data analysis, machine learning fundamentals, or ethics in technology.
Explore cross-disciplinary learning.

Pairing a traditional major with certificates or minors in data science, digital strategy, or AI ethics makes graduates more adaptable.
Look for practical experience.

Internships, research projects, and co-ops that use AI tools or involve digital transformation help students demonstrate real-world readiness.
Build human-centered skills.

Creativity, persuasion, critical thinking, and collaboration are strengths that AI can augment but not replace.
Stay curious.

AI is evolving quickly. Students who approach technology with curiosity — not fear — will be in a stronger position to shape how it’s used.

AI Is a College and Job Factor — But Not the Only One

AI is already reshaping parts of the job market and classroom, and it will continue to influence both. But it shouldn’t be the sole driver of major decisions about college majors. Rather than asking “Is AI going to take this job?” students should ask:

“How will AI change how this work is done?”
“What parts of this field require uniquely human strengths?”
“How can I integrate AI literacy into my career toolkit?”

Choosing a major is still fundamentally about aligning with interests, strengths, and long-term goals — but in an increasingly AI-infused world, it’s also about preparing to work with new tools, not be sidelined by them.

_______

Use R2C Insights to help find merit aid and schools that fit the criteria most important to your student. You’ll not only save precious time, but your student will avoid the heartache of applying to schools they aren’t likely to get into or can’t afford to attend.

Looking for expert help on the road to college? See our 1-1 Coaching Services.