Is Psychology a Good Major? Kind Of

Psychology is a good major in some respects, though more students enroll in this field than perhaps should. It is more technical and challenging than many realize, and the job prospects can be modest.

Nonetheless, psychology is excellent for developing yourself intellectually and personally. It can also serve as a solid career platform, provided you’re aware of the pros and cons. Let me explain why psychology may or may not be the right choice for you.

Advantages

General psychology illustrated by mind symbol held up in front of crowd of people

Psychology offers advantages that make it an appealing field of study. From personal development to career flexibility, here are key benefits from majoring in psychology.

1. It’s an interesting field

The universal popularity of psychology as a study field is evident in the high enrollments in universities and colleges around the world. This is despite the reality that a fairly small percentage of psychology students actually go on to become psychologists.

Why is psychology so popular? People are fascinated by thoughts and behavior. The field explores how the mind works, what motivates people, and why they act in certain ways. This curiosity drives many students to choose psychology, not just for a future career, but to gain insight into the human condition.

2. You will expand your mind

As a study field, psychology will challenge you and develop your abilities in many areas. It calls for emotional intelligence, empathy, and a natural curiosity about people. At the same time, psychology is intellectually rigorous, relying on scientific methods and research.

Students will also need strong communication skills, particularly in writing, to articulate complex ideas clearly. This combination of emotional insight and intellectual discipline means graduates are well-rounded and prepared for future challenges.

3. Job opportunities are flexible

Bachelor degrees in psychology are flexible in terms of your future career. While the degree doesn’t directly qualify you for any specific job, this can actually be a strength. It leaves your options open, allowing you to pivot once you’ve decided on a career objective.

If you’re unsure about what you want to do “when you grow up,” psychology can be a good choice. It avoids the risk of committing too early to specialized fields like teaching, nursing, or accounting, giving you time to explore different career paths.

4. You gain personal benefits

As I wrote for Mallory Careers, studying psychology offers numerous benefits beyond landing you a job.

You develop strong people skills, become more self-aware, and improve your ability to handle interpersonal interactions.
By understanding human behavior, you gain tools to build better relationships and overcome life challenges.
This awareness extends to your personal growth, where you can apply success strategies like cognitive behavioral techniques to manage negative thinking and instil a positive mindset.
Psychology also enhances problem-solving and communication skills, two qualities that benefit nearly every career.
You’ll learn how to view issues from multiple perspectives and strengthen your reasoning abilities.

The personal gains of studying psychology make it a well-rounded choice for anyone looking to enrich their life and career.

Related: Why Study Psychology?

Disadvantages

Young woman studying online taking notes

Despite its appeal, psychology comes with some significant drawbacks, especially when compared to more specialized fields. Let’s explore the challenges that may make this major bad for some.

1. Business is a better option for most

For many prospective students, you may be advantaged by studying business instead of psychology. Business can be seen as dry and technical by comparison. But this perception may be exaggerated. Psychology is also math-based. Anyone who excels in psychology would probably also do well in a business course.

The advantage that business offers is greater job security and a higher starting salary. Business graduates often enter well-established career paths in fields like finance, marketing, and management. By contrast, psychology graduates typically face a more uncertain job market, with many needing further study or training to reach professional roles.

Related: Why Is Business a Good Major?

2. You need mathematical ability to excel

Psychology is a math-intensive STEM field, and this reality becomes increasingly apparent on the pathway to becoming a psychologist. While introductory courses may seem approachable, the technical demands ramp up as you advance.

As you progress through postgraduate study, the mathematical and analytical requirements intensify. Interpreting data, conducting experiments, and analyzing research findings are all essential parts of professional psychology. For those who struggle with math or dislike it, this aspect of psychology can be a significant challenge.

3. Becoming a psychologist is often unrealistic

The path to becoming a psychologist is long and challenging. Getting a psychology degree with average grades won’t cut it. To move forward, you need to achieve excellent marks, ideally earning honors. Graduate programs focus on scientific and biological dimensions.

Qualifying as a psychologist requires a Master’s degree, PsyD or PhD, and admission into these programs is highly competitive. For those seeking a clearer path to professional licensure, fields like nursing, social work, or accounting may offer a more straightforward route.

4. You lack an edge in the job market

At a bachelor-degree level, psychology graduates lack an insider pathway to any specific type of job. The kinds of roles available tend to be general entry positions in areas like human resources, marketing, or community services, where better targeted qualifications exist.

While the degree provides skills like critical thinking, research, and communication, these are not always enough to set you apart from candidates with more specialized backgrounds.

In contrast, graduates from fields such as business, engineering, or healthcare often have better-defined job prospects. Without further study or specialization, psychology graduates may find themselves competing for roles that don’t fully leverage their education.

How Hard is a Psychology Major?

A Bachelor of Psychology degree isn’t as tough as you might think—especially for well-rounded students. If you’re good at both analysis and communication, it’s more manageable than majors like engineering or medicine, which dive deep into technical complexities. Psychology provides a balanced challenge that suits a broad range of students.

However, the path becomes harder if your goal is to become a psychologist. At this point, the major shifts into a STEM field, with a strong focus on research and statistics. Achieving high grades is essential for postgraduate programs, making it as demanding as fields like biology or economics.

For students not aiming to be psychologists, the degree is generally accessible. It offers flexibility compared to more specialized programs like law or computer science. But the road to professional psychology demands effort and academic excellence.

Related: Is Psychology a Hard Major?

Should I Major in Psychology?

Psychology symbol psi — The Greek letter psi is the symbol for psychology.

Yes, you should major in psychology if you understand the advantages and disadvantages and still see it as your best option. The field suits those interested in understanding thoughts and behavior and who want to base their career in some way on this interest.

It is an obvious choice if you aim to become a psychologist. Just be aware that you will need to excel, particularly in research and statistics, for the advanced degrees required.

Psychology can also be a good option if you’re unsure about your ideal career but envision working with people in roles like human resources, community services, or marketing. However, have you also considered targeting a specific career path, perhaps in business or healthcare, with a more specialized major?