Understanding the Overall Score

A weighted algorithm that reflects what students care about most: career prospects, satisfaction, and recommendations. Academic factors provide context but carry less weight.

Student Experience & Outcomes

70% of total score

The most important factors — how students feel about their major and their future prospects. Higher ratings always improve the score.

💼

Career Prospects

Post-graduation job opportunities, salary potential, and career advancement

25%
😊

Satisfaction

Overall enjoyment, fulfillment, and happiness with the major

25%
👍

Recommendation Rate

% of students who would choose this major again knowing what they know now

20%

Academic Characteristics

30% of total score

These factors describe the major's academic demands. For most categories, moderate levels (around 3/5) are considered ideal — not too easy, not overwhelming.

Workload

Weekly time commitment - moderate workloads score highest

10%
📚

Difficulty

Academic challenge level - balanced difficulty is ideal

10%
🧮

Math Intensity

Amount of mathematical content and problem-solving required

5%
✍️

Writing Intensity

Volume of essays, reports, and analytical writing required

5%

💡 Why "Moderate Preferred"?

For these academic factors, we use a bell curve where ratings around 3/5 score highest. This reflects that most students prefer balanced majors — challenging enough to be engaging, but not so intense that they become overwhelming or stressful.

Keep in Mind

The Overall Score is a general guide, not a verdict. Some students thrive in high-math or writing-heavy majors; others prefer lighter workloads. Always look at the individual ratings and student reviews to decide what truly fits you.

⚖️

Individual Reviews

Binary recommendations converted to 4/5 or 2/5 to balance weighting

🎯

Major Averages

Uses actual percentage of students who recommend for statistical accuracy

📊

Balanced Approach

70% student outcomes, 30% academic characteristics for comprehensive scoring