Track this year’s trending degrees and occupations to understand where student and employer demand is heading.
Students are increasingly drawn to college degrees that deliver strong value and career readiness, while employers are looking for distinct skills and competencies for a new era of work. As these expectations shift, institutions’ portfolios of academic programs must keep up. Our infographic shows you which undergraduate and graduate academic programs and occupations are capturing the most attention in 2026 in the U.S.
Download the Top 10 Degrees on the Rise in 2026 infographic to see:
- Top 10 bachelor’s degree conferrals
- Top 10 master’s degree conferrals
- Fastest-growing occupations
- Trending areas of study
- Prospective students’ online search trends
“To build and sustain academic programs with the greatest potential for enrollment growth, colleges and universities must consider student and labor market demand. High-performing institutions that closely monitor student and employer trends are best positioned to allocate their marketing and academic resources effectively.”
Which College Degrees are Most in Demand in 2026?
It’s no surprise that degrees such as data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) are rising in demand. But what other degrees and career fields are growing in the United States in 2026?
Hanover’s up-to-date infographic succinctly highlights the latest data on the academic programs and occupations that are capturing student and employer attention this year.
How to Strengthen Your Institution’s Academic Program Portfolio
90% of prospective students say the availability of a specific academic program is a top factor in influencing where they enroll.
As prospective students face a challenging job market, ongoing economic uncertainty, and a new AI frontier, they’re increasingly reconsidering which college majors and careers to pursue, while others question if any postsecondary credential is worth their time or the financial burden.
To stay competitive, your institution must understand how well its academic programs match current market demand. This means closely tracking the top trending bachelor’s and master’s degrees and investigating alignment with your portfolio of academic programs and curricula.
Use the information in this newly updated infographic to help your institution strengthen programs that will maximize positive enrollment growth — and a stronger bottom line.
Looking for year-over-year trends? Compare this year’s results to the 2025 Top 10 Degrees list.
