p>Choosing a college degree has never felt more complicated. Rising tuition costs, student loan anxiety, fast-changing job markets, and the growing appeal of flexible or remote careers are all shaping how Americans think about higher education. For many students, the decision starts not in a guidance counselor’s office, but on Google.
A new study by University of Melbourne Online set out to uncover which college degrees Americans are most interested in studying by analyzing Google search behavior across all 50 states. Researchers examined how often people searched for degree-related queries such as “study [degree name],” “is a [degree name] degree worth it,” and “career options with a [degree name] degree,” revealing where interest in different academic paths is strongest and which fields are most popular nationwide.
Which degrees top student interest across the US
The clear standout is Nursing, which ranks as the most searched degree in 21 states, more than any other field. Interest is especially strong across the South and Midwest, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri, and Oklahoma, as well as states like New Hampshire and New Mexico. The widespread appeal suggests nursing is seen as both a stable career and a practical response to ongoing healthcare shortages nationwide.
Business degrees take second place, leading searches in nine states, including economic powerhouses such as California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts. These states are home to major financial centers, startups, and corporate headquarters, which helps explain why degrees tied to management, entrepreneurship, and finance remain so attractive.
Several degrees share similar levels of interest across smaller clusters of states. Education degrees top the list in four states, including Connecticut and Washington, pointing to regional demand for teachers and education professionals. Computer science also leads in four states, including Michigan and Utah, reflecting the continued pull of technology, software development, and data-driven careers even as the tech job market fluctuates.
Healthcare and public service-oriented degrees continue to feature prominently. Medical degrees lead in three states, while psychology, law, engineering, and criminal justice each rank first in two states. Vermont stands alone in showing the strongest interest in a biology degree, aligning with the state’s reputation for environmental science, research, and conservation-focused careers.
Why nursing dominates student interest right now
Researchers at University of Melbourne Online say nursing’s dominance is closely tied to real-world conditions. Healthcare systems across the US continue to face staffing shortages, and students are clearly responding to that demand. Nursing offers a relatively direct route from education to employment, with strong placement rates and opportunities across hospitals, clinics, schools, and community health settings.
Another major factor is flexibility. Nursing degrees can lead to a wide range of roles, from bedside care to administration, education, and advanced practice. For many students, that versatility makes the degree feel like a safer long-term investment than more narrowly focused programs.
The researchers also point out that public visibility plays a role. The pandemic brought healthcare workers into the spotlight, reshaping how many people view nursing as a profession. Increased respect for the role, combined with competitive salaries in many states, appears to be translating directly into higher search interest compared to other degrees.
What this says about other degrees
While nursing leads overall, the study suggests Americans aren’t abandoning other fields. Business remains the top choice in states with strong corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystems, while computer science continues to attract interest where tech industries are growing. Education, law, and engineering may not dominate as many states, but their steady presence highlights continued demand for traditional, well-defined career paths.
The full list:
| Rank | Degree | Leading States |
| 1 | Nursing Degree | (21) Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, West Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire |
| 2 | Business Degree | (9) California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania, South Carolina |
| 3 | Education Degree | (4) Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Washington |
| 4 | Computer Science Degree | (4) Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Utah |
| 5 | Medical Degree | (3) Nevada, Louisiana, Ohio |
| 6 | Psychology Degree | (2) North Dakota, Wisconsin |
| 7 | Law Degree | (2) Rhode Island, Wyoming |
| 8 | Engineering Degree | (2) Colorado, Tennessee |
| 9 | Criminal Justice Degree | (2) South Dakota, Oregon |
| 10 | Biology Degree | (1) Vermont |
Methodology
The study analyzed Google Trends data across all 50 US states to identify which college degrees Americans are most interested in studying. The study examined a range of degree-related search queries.