Why More U.S. College Students Are Pursuing Two Degrees? Check Surprising Reasons!

A staggering trend is developing on college campuses across the United States; more students are deciding to earn two degrees at the same time. A dual-degree or a dual-major, college graduates are increasingly mixing different fields in order to qualify for jobs in an increasingly unpredictable job market. With a healthy mix of career aspirations, economic fears, and natural curiosity, they are taking subjects like, computer science with business, or psychology with data science.

Universities are also endorsing these combinations, some by creating flexible credit systems or interdisciplinary degree programs. The intent is clear: diversify and make skills adaptable. But what is really driving this academic rush -- and what does it mean for careers? Here are some surprising explanations for the burgeoning wave.

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1. Increasing Pressure of Job Market

Today's job market is advancing exponentially and drastically unpredictable; therefore, many college students are pursuing a degree. The cut-off is that specializing in two different fields makes them more employable, and mitigates risk in a layoff or in economic uncertainty.

Jobs or careers are changing every couple of years due to technology; students see the second degree as a back-up safety plan; to make them versatile, adaptable, and

2. Developing a Broad Skill Set

Students are discovering that combining majors builds their strengths exponentially. For example, if a student is majoring in business and is also studying computer science or majoring in psychology and studying data analytics, that student has a powerful combination of both technical and creative skill sets.

Employers are paying more attention to this skill set combination because modern jobs require interdisciplinary thinking. By studying two related fields, students are able to create a bridge between disciplines and differentiate themselves as a problem solver in a competitive work force. 

3. College Support and Dual Degree Program Options 

Several American colleges are making earning a second degree more realistic and practical. Colleges are allowing students to double count course credits, offering dual degree programs, and recognizing AP or dual enrollment credits from high school.

This new flexibility allows students to graduate with two degrees at nearly the same time. Colleges have also come to realize that the interdisciplinary programs will qualify graduates for complex, mixed jobs that we will see in the near future and not leave students broke or over-scheduled.

4. Personal Interest and Discovery

Not every student pursues a dual degree for financial or career reasons. Some students simply find the exploration of many subjects interesting. Instead of studying a field for its own merits, a student who enjoys art and technology, for example, could pursue a dual degree that creates a combination of these two interest areas. 

This allows students to remain excited and connected to the educational experience while allowing them to discover some overlap and interconnections between their interest areas. This likely resonates with today's philosophy of education that encourages pursuing a degree as equally about practicality and personal discovery.

5. Signalling Value to Employers 

Earning two degrees often has a powerful signalling value for employers. It suggests crystallized commitments, discipline, and intellectual range. Graduates with dual degrees also seem more flexible and able to connect ideas across fields, which is an important asset in most workplaces today. 

Research also suggests that graduates with only one degree experience greater layoffs and less job satisfaction than their dual-degree counterparts. For many students, earning the second degree is not just about learning more it is also about signalling that they are capable of taking on more.