Why a Double Major Can Be a Smart Career Move
Here, we’ll discuss the best double major STEM and liberal arts combos, their pros and cons, and how to afford them. These are crucial topics because diverse skills can be a career game-changer. After all, we live in a world where the term “interdisciplinary” isn’t only a buzzword but a reality.
What does pursuing a double major in STEM and liberal arts look like? Here are the major features you can expect in your college experience.
- Build your technical and transferable skills, particularly communication skills. You’re more prepared for leadership roles and innovation-driven sectors.
- Improve your adaptability and flexibility across diverse industries. You can adapt your current skills to whatever industry you’re in, a must in a world where AI changes industries.
- Boost your competitiveness for jobs that demand cross-disciplinary skills. You should explore jobs like UX design, AI ethics, and biotech marketing for this reason.
Yes, there are challenges to combining STEM and liberal arts degrees. The heavier workload demands effective time management and study habits. Then, there’s the matter of college costs – it’s $38,270/student/year, on average (EDI, 2025).
Featured Programs
But there are effective ways to overcome these challenges. If you adopt them, you’ll find the rewards to be, well, rewarding.
Think of the computer science and psychology combo. You can work in the field of human-computer interaction, among others. Consider engineering + business or data science + communication, too, which we’ll discuss below.
The Unique Value of Combining STEM and Liberal Arts
The benefits of a double major in college include job marketability and career flexibility. In other words, you’re more competitive for entry-level jobs and promotions. You can even have your pick across diverse industries, say, in business or engineering.
Why is this so? You have a diverse skill sets that combine technical competence and interpersonal skills. Few of your peers with single-discipline degrees can claim the combo.
STEM degrees usually emphasize specific technical and specialized skills. Coding, data analysis, and scientific methods are among them.
In contrast, liberal arts degrees tend to focus more on transferable skills. Communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills are among them.
But when you combine a STEM degree and a liberal arts degree, you’ll get the best of both worlds.
Related Articles:
- College Minors: Which Ones Help vs. Which Ones Waste Your Time
- Choosing My Data Science Education Pathway: Traditional Degree vs. Bootcamp vs. On The Job Experience
- Is a Computer Science Degree Worth it in the Age of AI?
- Is a Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?
Technical proficiency
You’ll build hard skills specific to your STEM degree. If it’s computer science, these include programming, computer systems, and algorithms. CAD, MATLAB, and circuit design and analysis are a must for engineering students. Programming, model building, and data wrangling skills are for data science students.
Analytical thinking skills
But technical proficiency isn’t all there is in the workplace. You must also be able to break down complex problems and their possible solutions. The STEM fields, after all, seek answers and solutions to many of society’s issues.
Creativity and communication skills
You can draw from your liberal arts education for creative solutions, too. Doing so also means approaching STEM-related challenges from more artistic or humanistic angles.
Your writing and speaking skills also come into the picture. Think of using your storytelling skills to communicate complex concepts better.
Interpersonal skills
You have a better understanding of people and their relationships and dynamics. As such, you’re more able to work in team-oriented work environments. Plus, you have a strong foundation for improving your cultural awareness skills.
How do these translate into STEM and liberal arts career advantages? The combination stands out in a competitive job market. Employers require or prefer candidates who can work with interdisciplinary teams with ease. A STEM and liberal arts degree combo sends a strong signal.
Examples of Powerful Double Major Pairings
Here are three of the best double major STEM and liberal arts combos. When choosing from among them, consider your interests and goals first. Remember that there’s no right or wrong choice here – only what’s best for you.
Computer Science + Psychology
Do you want a double major where tech meets human behavior? If you do, then consider the computer science and psychology double major. The combination is as diverse as it comes, too, because it combines:
- Computing logic and structure, a tech-focused area; and
- Insights into people and their thinking processes, interactions, and behaviors
The double major is of particular value in these fields:
- Human-computer interaction (HCI)
- User experience (UX) design
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive science
- Machine learning (ML) and neuroscience integration
- Behavioral data analysis
The combo works because people use technology for their own purposes. As such, technology is only successful when people use it. This is true whether it’s for its intended purposes or in innovative ways.
For example, you’ve designed a mobile app with cutting-edge features. But it doesn’t address real needs, or its features are too confusing, so people don’t use it.
This is where your knowledge of psychology comes in. You can redesign the mobile app so it’s more meaningful and usable for its target audience.
Engineering + Business
Do you want a combo where innovation meets leadership? If yes, go for an engineering and business double major. You can bring ideas, products, and services to life with it.
The combo also means the ability to be part of high-paying occupations. Architecture and engineering occupations earned $97,310/year in median wages. Business and financial occupations earned $80,920/year in median wages (BLS, May 2024).
During your studies, you’ll develop a wide range of hard and soft skills, including:
- CAD and technical drawing
- Data analysis and modeling
- Financial and management accounting
- Business strategy and operations
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Team collaboration and project management
Plus, you can choose between becoming a corporate warrior or an entrepreneur. Among the career paths you can choose from are:
- Product manager
- Operations manager
- R&D director
- Supply chain strategist
- Management consultant
Think of yourself as a future innovation leader. You’ll know how to build things and then market, sell, and scale them.
Data Science + Communication
Are you interested in explaining complex ideas and information in layman’s terms? If you do, then consider a data science and communication combo.
With it, you can explain complex data in clearer terms, even to non-tech people. You can also be a storyteller by using data to persuade and educate others. Think of it, too, as transforming numbers into narrative and, in turn, into navigation.
But why does it work in the first place? We live in a data-driven world, but data alone isn’t a changemaker. What changes society is how data is interpreted, communicated, and acted upon. This is where your communication degree comes in.
The wide range of career paths possible with the combo includes:
- Policy analyst
- Data journalist
- Public health data advisor
- Corporate communication strategist
- Political campaign strategist
Indeed, you can make a real-world impact when you use the double degree to its fullest potential. You can also make good money – data scientists earned $112,590/year in median wages.
Consider these STEM and liberal arts degree combos, too.
- Biology + philosophy (science meets ethics)
- Mathematics + economics (logic and markets)
- Environmental science + political science (sustainability meets policy)
Whatever your choice, remember that degrees are only tools. You wield the ultimate power and responsibility to use them as effective tools.
Career Flexibility and Market Advantages
Here are more benefits that you can enjoy with a double major in STEM and liberal arts.
Broader career options across industries
You can apply for both technical and non-technical jobs in diverse industries. Think healthcare, education, and finance, where interdisciplinary skills have premium value.
Let’s say you have a double major in computer science and psychology. You can work in health tech, where mental health apps and AI-driven therapy tools can be your forte.
For a data science and communication double degree, a communications strategy makes sense. You can interpret complex data to deliver useful insights.
Ability to adapt to changing job trends
Automation and AI are among the most disruptive forces in the modern workplace. By 2030, 30% of current jobs in the US could be fully automated. Of these, 60% will have significant changes because of AI.
For this reason, you must develop the ability to adapt to a changing world. In it, more jobs emphasize both hard and soft skills, systems and people. A double major in STEM and liberal arts meets the brief.
Appeal to employers seeking multi-skilled candidates
Employers place a premium value on candidates who bring a diverse skill set. Your double major signals not only a diverse skill set but also curiosity.
How to Afford a Double Major
Part of how to choose a double major is determining whether you can afford it or not. Of course, you won’t pay double the tuition and fees if you pursue a double major.
But you can end up paying more in total tuition and fees for many reasons, including:
- Extending your college studies by more than four years (i.e., extra semesters)
- Completing more than the required number of credits to graduate (i.e., more than 120 credits)
There’s good news: You can keep in mind these tips on efficient course planning. You’ll be able to avoid extra semesters, among others.
Choose from affordable double major options.
Be an in-state student in a public college or enroll in an online university. The more affordable your double major is in the first place, the more you can keep costs down.
Plan early.
Meet with your academic advisors during your freshman year. Map out your academic path for every year of your studies.
Take general education and core courses that count for both degrees.
Save on tuition and time when you can take courses that overlap both degrees. This also applies to classes with cross-listings – prioritize them.
Enroll in courses during the summer and winter breaks.
Complete your elective courses during these periods to achieve a four-year time-to-completion.
Use electives to meet course requirements for your second major.
Leverage electives to save on tuition and time, too.
Of course, you must explore scholarships for double major students, including:
- Federal and state student aid
- University-wide and department-specific scholarships
- Need- and merit-based external scholarships
- Honors programs
Use scholarship search engines and databases (e.g., Fastweb) to expand your search. Ask your local community organizations and businesses for aid, too. Communicate with your university’s financial aid office for information and referrals.
Again, keep your costs down by choosing from affordable online and hybrid programs. Check their:
- Tuition and fees
- Flexible scheduling
- Transfer credit policies
Indeed, pursuing a double major in STEM and liberal arts doesn’t have to double your costs. Plan early, work with your academic advisors, and leverage financial aid.
Pros and Cons of Pursuing a Double Major
Not every Tom, Dick, and Harry will find a double major to their liking. So, it’s best to be aware of the double major pros and cons. Doing so means making a more informed decision that, hopefully, will work in your favor.
Pros:
- Marketability
- Flexibility
- Intellectual growth
Cons:
- Heavier workload
- Potential cost increase
Here’s how to weigh your options.
- Identify your career goals first.
- Consult with your academic advisors.
- Assess the time and money commitment.
- Consider the cons.
- Take one course in the second major to test the waters.
Yes, the rewards for earning a double degree make it a worthwhile endeavor. But it’s still important to consider if it’s the right choice for you.
Final Thoughts: Building a Future-Proof Degree Path
In conclusion, earning a double degree in STEM and liberal arts brings many benefits. You’re more competitive for jobs and more balanced in your approach. But it demands drive and determination – and dollars, too – to achieve, so think about it.
Start by researching universities that offer double degree programs. Ask about their costs, curriculum, and cross-disciplinary learning opportunities. Choose one that aligns with your interests and goals, as well as your learning style.
Remember, too, that passion and practicality have equal importance. Let passion guide your choice, but also consider practicality – salary and job outlook.