Which College Majors AI Is Hitting First
Artificial intelligence is already changing entry-level hiring. Recent data shows a clear split in how college graduates are faring based on their chosen field.
The chart above tracks employment rate changes for the class of 2024 compared to the class of 2022. It maps these changes against how exposed each major is to AI tools.
Fields Seeing Hiring Declines
Majors with high exposure to AI are taking the biggest hit in early career hiring:
Computer Science and Information Systems: These fields show the sharpest drops in employment rates. Entry-level coding and technical roles face strong pressure as automation handles basic tasks.
Finance and Business Management: Both fields show steady declines. Companies rely more on automated models and software for initial analysis.
Accounting: Exposure to AI tools correlates with a drop in new graduate hires.
Fields Holding Steady or Growing
Majors requiring direct human interaction, physical presence, or specialized lab work show stable or growing employment:
Healthcare: Nursing and biology show positive job growth. These jobs require hands-on patient care and lab work that software cannot replace.
Psychology and Criminal Justice: Human-centered roles remain in demand and show positive employment trends.
Marketing: Despite high AI tool adoption, marketing graduates have seen slight gains in hiring.
What This Means for Students
The shift is real, but it does not mean technical degrees are useless. It means entry-level expectations are changing fast.
Students in tech and business fields need to focus on skills AI cannot easily replicate. Critical thinking, complex problem-solving, project management, and real-world experience matter more than ever.
