One of the most popular college majors saw some of the highest growing rates of depression, according to a recent survey from Degreechoices, and experts weighed in on why that is.
Rates of depression are growing among college students, with some experts believing the mental health crisis was exacerbated during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, some majors saw higher increasing rates than others.
Business, which made up 375,400 degrees of the roughly 2 million Bachelor's degrees earned from 2021 to 2022, was found to have the fifth highest increasing rates of depression from 2019 to 2024.
So while it was one of the most popular majors chosen by students, it also had a high correlation with mental health issues.
In 2019, 29.5 percent of students studying business reported they were struggling with depression, while 32.6 percent said the same in 2024.
"It is, unfortunately, not very surprising that based on social and economic factors in the U.S. right now, that business majors are showcasing some of the highest rates of depression," Alexandra Cromer, a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks, told Newsweek.
"The economy and the world of business have been unstable for some time, so pursuing a degree in something that feels very 'unstable' can make someone feel potentially hopeless and depressed regarding their future. They might feel like a failure."
Only students studying medicine, law, social work and engineering saw higher growing rates of depression in the last five years. Medicine students, which took the number one spot, saw a 35.3 percent change from 2019 to 2024.
"University is a necessary step in the life of many, but this does not mean that studying is a walk in the park for everyone," a spokesperson for Degreechoices told Newsweek. "This data shows how all sorts of fields of study can be daunting and cause emotional strain, with financial stress being a common factor throughout them all."
Psychotherapist Nicholas Hardy, who also runs the Untherapeutic podcast, said business majors likely saw increased levels of depression because of people's general perception of the economy in recent years.
"If someone believes the economy is conducive for their success post-graduation, feelings about their major in business will be more positive," Hardy told Newsweek. "However, if they have a bleaker outlook, and believe that their efforts are in vain or will not yield their desired outcome, feelings of depression are more likely to surface."
Despite this, the major remains popular due to its versatility, Hardy said.
"Whether you are a librarian, musician, or in education, business will inevitably be connected," Hardy said. "Furthermore, college students, on average, are ambiguous about the specifics of their future. As a result, majoring in business allows one to take a general approach, while remaining flexible, marketable and competitive in today's marketplace."
However, the higher rates of depression could indicate business is changing, and some industries are facing less stability than they did historically.
"This can influence our social and emotional well-being and create thoughts of doubt and fear when considering 'what's next,'" Hardy said. "On the other hand, higher education is traditionally characterized by its resistance to change and further highlights the need for greater evolution and more innovation."
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