16 Unusual College Majors and Where To Find Them

Most people typically major in areas like nursing, political science or English. And then, there are people like your cousin Quincy. Always one to march to the beat of his own drum, Big Q double majored in mime and chemical exposure tolerance. His parents thought it was a joke. Heck, you thought it was a joke. But look at him now, working as one of those gold-painted statue people on Hollywood Boulevard, guilt-tripping tourists into tips. Those weren’t such useless college majors now, were they?

If you’ve been having trouble choosing a major, here’s a look at some unusual areas of study and the universities that offer them. Just choose wisely — not all degrees are created equal.

• School: University of Minnesota
• In-state cost to attend: $28,676 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $48,402 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.

If you don’t spook easily, mortuary science is an excellent field of study. Out of 59 accredited programs in the U.S., the University of Minnesota is one of just four to offer a Bachelor of Science in the field. More importantly, though, you’d be preserving the dignity of those who have passed away and comforting those who have been left behind.

• School: Washington State University
• In-state cost to attend: $23,485 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $37,721 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.

If you love a nice glass of cab, winemaking might top your list of college majors. In this degree program, you’ll learn about the cultivation process and the ins and outs of the winemaking process. If you’re afraid someone will judge your major, note that the study of making your own vino is technically known as viticulture and enology, which sounds a lot more legit.

Read: The Average American Needs $22,000 More To Afford College in Their State

• School: Clemson University
• In-state cost to attend: $7,485 for one academic year; does not include room and board but does include most fees
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $18,362 for one academic year; does not include room and board but does include most fees

Ever wonder who lays down the turf at the golf course? No? Well, it’s turfgrass majors.

In this program, you’ll study things like plant pathology, microbiology and soil and water conservation. Plus, there are more than 450 golf courses in Clemson’s home state of South Carolina, making turfgrass a more practical major than you might think.

• School: The Evergreen State College
  
• In-state cost to attend: $22,326 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $40,842 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.

The Evergreen State College is known for two things: Speedy, its provocative geoduck mascot, and its loosey-goosey degree requirements. You can actually design your own degree at the school. Consider somatic studies, for instance, in which you take courses like Consciousness, Dreams, and Everyday Life: Self, Other, World.

• School: University of Connecticut
  
• In-state cost to attend: $30,484 for one academic year; includes fees and room and board
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $53,152 for one academic year; includes fees and room and board

If you’ve found yourself asking your sock puppet, BaSock Obama, “What should I major in?” while searching his blank, lifeless eyes — well, look no further. The answer is right there on your arm. The University of Connecticut offers a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a Master of Fine Arts in puppetry, so the next several years of your life are completely mapped out.

• School: University of Idaho
  
• In-state cost to attend: $21,350 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $38,986 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.

Beer, cheese and pepperoni: Not only are they the staples of a healthy diet, but they’re also all fermented. If you choose to study fermentation science, an area of focus under the food science major, you’ll learn about these products and much more as you discuss the food preservation process as well as its safety and efficiency. One of the typical jobs you can take on after studying fermentation science is a position as a food scientist, and if that has anything to do with cheese, you know it’s going to be great.

• School: Texas State University
  
• In-state cost to attend: $24,450 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $37,110 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
  

When Texas State says it’s going to give you a concrete education, that doesn’t mean a solid one — it’s literal concrete. In the concrete industry management program, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to work in sales, operations, construction management and technical services. You’ll also be able to find pretty nice gigs after graduating. According to the school, salaries start at about $60,000 per year on average.

• School: San Diego State University
• In-state cost to attend: $30,522 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $42,402 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.

Just a couple of decades ago, you probably wouldn’t have seen this major around, so don’t take it for granted. Students can enroll in courses like Sex, Gender and the Erotic in the Ancient Mediterranean; Female Masculinity and Amazons; and Queer Texts and Contexts. Plus, assuming you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, you get to attend the end-of-year Lavender Graduation in which you receive a certificate and rainbow cord to wear to the commencement ceremony.

• School: Washington State University
• In-state cost to attend: $23,485 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $37,721 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.

If you’re a vegetarian, an old-timey pirate who fears scurvy or simply a fruit and veggie enthusiast, WSU has an area of study for you. The fruit and vegetable management major is part of the Integrated Plant Sciences bachelor’s degree program. You’ll take fascinating courses like Soil Fertility and Pesticides & Environment. Plus, you can hang with the cool winemaking kids in viticulture.

• School: Otis College of Art and Design
  
• Cost to attend: $23,050 for one semester; does not include room and board but does include most fees

Want to design the next hot toy? You’ll learn how in Otis’ toy design program. In addition to core classes like Toy Design I-VI, you’ll take Birth of the Modern, Games and Game Theory, and Child Psychology. Get in touch with your inner Sock’em Boppers-loving younger self and design a new, “fun” way for siblings to beat each other up.

• School: Princeton University
  
• Cost to attend: $66,700 for one academic year; includes room and board and college fee

If you’re a fan of “Interstellar,” “The Martian,” “Gravity” or any of the other space movies that Hollywood bombarded the public with during the 2010s, this program in planets and life might be for you. It’s all about unraveling the mystery of life on Earth and figuring out if life exists elsewhere. Be warned, though, that as vague as this certificate program sounds, it takes some serious hard work. You’ll take courses like Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Thermal Physics, and Quantitative Principles in Cell and Molecular Biology.

• School: University of Idaho
  
• In-state cost to attend: $21,350 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $38,986 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.

Are you a big fan of video games? Look no further than the University of Idaho’s virtual reality major. You’ll learn how to apply this mind-melting tech to games, simulations, animated films and more. A typical job for someone who studied this college major would be a game designer, animator or — if you’re feeling godly — world builder.

• School: Kansas State University
  
• In-state cost to attend: $8,750 for one academic year; includes tuition only
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $23,220 for one academic year; includes tuition only
  

When you major in bakery science, you have two areas of focus to choose from. Students can select either production management, which is the business side of the industry, or cereal chemistry. Sadly, cereal chemistry isn’t about testing which milk flavor pairs best with your favorite cereal; it’s about quality control and research and development. Typical careers for this degree include roles as a food sales manager, quality control supervisor and technical sales representative.

• School: University of Oregon
  
• In-state cost to attend: $11,898 for one academic year; includes tuition and fees
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $35,478 for one academic year; includes tuition and fees

Nothing says relevant quite like medieval studies. You’ll not only get to hold 12th-century manuscripts in your hands, but you’ll also take classes like The Medieval Feast in Theory and Practice. And, once you’re done reenacting your feast, you can brag about it in Old English to all your … friends.

• School: The Evergreen State College
  
• In-state cost to attend: $22,326 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.
  
• Out-of-state cost to attend: $40,842 for one academic year; includes room and board, books, etc.

If anyone has ever described you as “artsy” and maybe also “high as a kite,” try studying aesthetics. It’s the studious stoner’s dream. You’ll create your own degree, choosing from courses such as Experiments in Text, Eating in Translation, Life With Things and, of course, Ceramics: Throwing Intensive.

• School: Christ Clown College
• Cost to attend: Free

OK, so this one isn’t going to get you a degree, but it will get you a diploma. At FaithWellMT’s Christ Clown College, you’ll don a rubber nose, big floppy shoes and a pound of stage paint to entertain children and adults alike. But it doesn’t mean clown ministry isn’t hard work. You have to complete 60 hours of class time and more than 35 hours of practice and performance time to get a diploma.

If you feel like you’re more of a part-time entertainer, Florida State University is home to The FSU Flying High Circus, which holds auditions every fall semester.

Click through to see the best college majors if you don’t want any financial regrets.

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