Madison Reporter

Adding a second major is becoming increasingly popular among students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with about 30 percent of graduates opting for dual majors. This trend has remained stable over the past decade, particularly in fields such as computer science, business, and economics.

Kelley Harris, director of Cross College Advising Service, explains that pursuing a double major can enhance the undergraduate experience by allowing students to connect ideas across different disciplines. "In addition, double majors can broaden students’ knowledge and skills and doing so could potentially open up additional career opportunities," Harris states.

The most common combination is computer science and data science. In the 2023-24 academic year alone, 201 graduates earned degrees in both fields—more than any other double-major pairing. Steve Wright, chair of the computer sciences department, notes that this combination equips students with complementary skills essential for tech careers. "Data science tells us what technique and computations must be performed to make effective use of data, and computer science tells us how to implement those computations efficiently and reliably," Wright says.

The five most popular fields for double-majoring in 2023-24 were:

1. Computer Sciences: With 349 students (39.8 percent), top matches included data science (201), mathematics (81), and computer engineering (66).

2. Data Science: Encompassing 249 students (58 percent), it paired well with computer sciences (201), economics (53), and mathematics (42). According to Wright, "The computer major pairs well with many other majors because in a tech- and data-driven world, it adds vital, marketable tech and analysis skills to almost every other knowledge discipline."

3. Business: Finance, Investment and Banking: Attracting 214 students (52.3 percent), it was often combined with real estate and urban land economics (92) or risk management and insurance (52). Jim Johannes from the Department of Finance emphasizes that finance provides technical business skills applicable across various careers.

4. Economics: With 192 students (32.5 percent), top pairings included data science (53) and political science (34). Chris Taber from the Department of Economics highlights how economics pairs well with numerous disciplines due to its focus on problem-solving approaches.

5. Psychology: Engaging 146 students (26.7 percent), it was frequently paired with neurobiology (57) or legal studies (24). Maria Hartwig from the Department of Psychology points out that psychology develops critical thinking skills useful across many fields.

Other notable fields include real estate and urban land economics, mathematics, political science, neurobiology, and biology.