Conditions Worsen: These 10 University Majors Offer Easiest Job Prospects
Conditions are worsening, with these 10 university majors offering the easiest path to employment. Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Challenges and competition for jobs are predicted to become increasingly fierce throughout 2026. A combination of global economic uncertainty, a surge in new job seekers, and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology will require fresh graduates to work exceptionally hard to secure their desired careers.
Amidst these challenging conditions, choosing a university major remains crucial in improving employment prospects. Consequently, many prospective students are carefully considering which fields align best with industry trends and offer promising futures.
This is reflected in the Winter Salary Survey 2026 released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which gathered responses from 150 member organisations between 8 October and 30 November 2025. The results show companies are still seeking graduates from specific disciplines deemed to have the most in-demand skills in today’s job market.
The following is a list of 10 university majors predicted to have the easiest job prospects in 2026, based on the percentage of companies planning to recruit new graduates:
Finance: 61.3%
Mechanical Engineering: 61.3%
Computer Science: 60%
Accounting: 58.7%
Business Administration/Management: 58.7%
Electrical Engineering: 51.3%
Information Systems: 48%
Logistics/Supply Chain: 44.7%
Marketing: 44%
Human Resources (HR): 40%.
Finance and mechanical engineering are the most sought-after fields, with demand reaching 61.3%. Meanwhile, computer science remains a popular choice amid the rapid growth of AI and digital transformation.
On the other hand, fresh graduates continue to face significant challenges in the job market. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the US economy added only 181,000 jobs in 2025, a sharp decline from 1.46 million in 2024. This has led many companies to hold back on recruitment, particularly for entry-level positions.
A 2025 Graduate Employment Report from education technology firm Cengage Group even described the current job market for fresh graduates as the most difficult in five years. The report found only 30% of graduates secured roles in their field of study, while over 75% of companies reported hiring the same or fewer entry-level staff compared to the previous year.
However, there is good news regarding earnings. The NACE survey projects annual starting salaries for university graduates to rise across almost all disciplines in 2026. Only social sciences are expected to see a decline in initial salaries, while most other fields are projected to experience pay increases.