The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is the number 1 public school in the US—so it won’t be surprising to know that many of its programs also rank high in the country. But when you think of UCLA’s best majors, which programs do you think of? Today, we’ll discuss ten of UCLA’s best majors and give an overview of what makes them great.
- Sociology at UCLA
- Biology at UCLA
- Psychology at UCLA
- Mathematics at UCLA
- Economics at UCLA
- Linguistics at UCLA
- Computer Science at UCLA
- Political Science at UCLA
- Film, Television & Digital Media at UCLA
- Public Affairs at UCLA
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
Sociology at UCLA
When talking about the best UCLA majors, sociology definitely has to be on the list. In fact, the program ranks number 6 among the best sociology programs in the country.
Diverse curriculum
UCLA’s sociology program covers a broad spectrum of sociological topics, from foundational theories to specialized areas like:
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender and sexuality
- Urban sociology
- Medical sociology
- Global sociology
UCLA’s sociology program also encourages interdisciplinary collaborations with other departments. As a student, you’ll also be required to take upper division electives where you can take a maximum of four electives outside the department. These electives can also be taken from the Study Abroad program, other universities, and UCLA extension as long as it gets approved.
Community engagement
The department emphasizes “public sociology,” encouraging you to apply sociological knowledge to address real-world social problems. In fact, the department has a commitment to “methodological pluralism” where sociological research is done in multiple ways, from direct observation to social network studies.
You’re also encouraged to join the Student Research Program (SRP) to work alongside experienced faculty.
The department is also proud that graduates of the undergraduate sociology program contribute to the fields of public service and the nonprofit sector, among others.
Biology at UCLA
UCLA’s biology program is another one of UCLA’s best majors, ranking 17th in the country.
Strong ties to the medical field
UCLA is closely situated to its David Geffen School of Medicine, making UCLA a great school for pre-med students. You can gain exposure to medical research and clinical settings. The program also has a comprehensive curriculum that lets you specialize in a range of biology areas, such as:
- Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Physiological Science
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
You’ll be able to tailor your studies to your specific interests while getting a well-rounded education in the biological sciences—which can give you a pretty good foundation for future medical knowledge.
Even if you aren’t thinking of being a physician, UCLA’s location in Southern California is a major biotech hub, presenting you with internship and career opportunities.
World-class research
As one of UCLA’s best majors, biology offers the Field Biology Quarter (FBQ), where you spend a full quarter doing field research. Yes, you read that right, a full quarter! Courses are taught both locally and internationally in different areas—from the sunny coastal areas of California to the humid rainforests of Ecuador.
If you don’t think you’re ready for a full quarter of adventure, then you can still take research courses and work alongside a faculty mentor. UCLA also has many resources that you can use for research, such as:
- Molecular Biology Institute (MBI). This institute brings together faculty from various departments to collaborate on molecular biology studies. It provides access to advanced equipment and resources, facilitating cutting-edge research.
- UCLA CIRM Institute. This facility is dedicated to stem cell research and provides state-of-the-art laboratories and core facilities for those researchers.
- Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve. This field station gives you opportunities to conduct ecological studies in a natural setting. It allows for hands-on research in areas such as biodiversity, conservation, and environmental science.
Psychology at UCLA
The Department of Psychology offers a broad range of courses, covering foundational principles and specialized topics for undergraduate students, making it one of UCLA’s best majors. The program actually ranks 3rd in the US.
Emphasis on research
UCLA actively encourages undergraduate research, providing opportunities to work with faculty on research projects. Aside from that, you also have research assistant positions, honors programs, and independent study options available to you. Regardless of how you choose to interact with research, you’ll gain hands-on experience in research design, data analysis, and scientific writing.
To help you with research, UCLA has research centers and labs that are helpful for psychology:
- Brain Mapping Center. This facility is dedicated to neuroimaging research, housing advanced technologies like MRI scanners, EEG systems, and other neuroimaging equipment. It helps you study brain structure and function, contributing to our understanding of cognition, emotion, and behavior.
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. While not exclusively for the psychology department, this institute is still a major resource for psychology students and researchers. It provides a hub for neuroscience and behavioral research and contains many labs and clinics used by psychology department members.
Interdisciplinary connections
UCLA fosters interdisciplinary collaborations with other departments, such as neuroscience, medicine, and education, letting you explore the intersection of psychology with other fields. Upon graduation, you can enter a number of careers, such as:
- Clinical psychology
- Research
- Counseling
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Education
This flexibility is also thanks to one of UCLA’s best majors helping you develop strong critical thinking, analytical, and research skills.
Mathematics at UCLA
Another one of UCLA’s best majors, mathematics is taught by experts in its fields like algebra, analysis, and topology. These faculty help the program rank number 7 in the country.
Diverse curriculum
As one of the best majors at UCLA, the math program emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical applications of mathematics, giving you a solid foundation in core mathematical principles and specialized areas. You can also pursue various tracks, such as:
- Pure Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematics for teaching
- Mathematics and economics joint major
With that diverse a curriculum, you can get into quite a number of fields like:
- Academia
- Finance
- Technology
- Data science
- Engineering
Facilities and resources
UCLA has facilities and resources to help math students thrive in academics and research. There are libraries with extensive mathematical resources, computer labs for computational mathematics, and the Mathematics Reading Room.
If you want more opportunities to interact with math, the department has programs like the Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS), which offers students valuable experience in applying mathematical skills to real-world problems. There’s also the Olga Radko Endowed Math Circle, which provides outreach to younger students and provides you with opportunities to participate in mathematics education.
You can also join conferences like the SACNAS Conference (Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) and Field of Dream Conference if you want to experience being involved at the national level.
Economics at UCLA
UCLA Economics is a great option for aspiring economists, ranking 12th among the best economics schools in the country.
Diverse concentrations
As one of UCLA’s best majors, economics emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications. This means you’ll have a solid understanding of economic principles and their real-world implications, helping you develop strong analytical and quantitative skills.
The program covers microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and various specialized fields. You can also tailor your studies to your specific interests and career goals by taking on concentrations like:
- General economics. A broad foundation in economic theory and applications.
- Business economics. Focuses on the application of economic principles to business decision-making.
- Quantitative economics. Emphasizes advanced mathematical and statistical methods for economic analysis.
Excellent career opportunities
Thanks to the curriculum’s integration of theoretical concepts with real-world applications, you’re ready to handle complex economic problems. As an undergrad in one of UCLA’s best majors, you also have opportunities to participate in internships and research projects, gaining practical experience in their field.
When you graduate, you’ll be equipped with the skills and working knowledge to work in different fields:
- Finance. Investment banking, financial analysis, asset management.
- Consulting. Management consulting, economic consulting, strategy consulting.
- Government. Economic policy analysis, public finance, regulatory agencies.
- Research. Academic research, think tanks, international organizations.
- Data analysis. The strong quantitative focus of the major can help you do well in data analysis careers.
Linguistics at UCLA
UCLA’s linguistics offers a comprehensive and dynamic program, making it rank 15th in the US.
Diverse language focus
The undergraduate and graduate programs offer a wide range of courses, covering core linguistic principles and specialized topics. This helps you develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and research methodologies to gain a deeper understanding of language structure, function, and variation.
As one of UCLA’s best majors, you can also study diverse languages, including endangered languages and languages of the Americas. You get the chance to work with language communities and contribute to language documentation and revitalization.
The program also has strong interdisciplinary connections with other departments, including:
- Psychology
- Anthropology
- Computer science
- Asian languages and cultures
This interdisciplinary approach deepens your understanding and appreciation of language and its relationship to other fields.
Emphasis on research
There are many opportunities for you to engage with research. These include:
- Research/independent study. Collaborate with others or conduct your own research! Use the Undergraduate Research Portal to easily find research opportunities inside and outside the school.
- Undergraduate research and travel awards. If you want to experience on-site fieldwork and present your findings at a conference, you can apply for a grant that can cover the expenses.
- Undergraduate research scholarship. This scholarship is for linguistics students conducting or participating in linguistics research.
- Studying abroad. While not explicitly a research opportunity, studying abroad allows you to immerse yourself in a different culture and experience a language in context.
Computer Science at UCLA
The computer science program is also one of UCLA’s best majors, ranking 13th in the country. It prepares you for the demands of a tech-driven world.
Relevance in the tech-driven world
UCLA’s computer science curriculum is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of core principles and cutting-edge technologies. It covers fundamental computer science concepts and advanced topics.
You can also take civic engagement opportunities, intercampus courses, and UC Cross Campus Online Courses to give more breadth to your education.
UCLA has strong ties to the tech industry, especially with the university’s location being a major tech hub. You can find biotech companies, patent law firms, venture capital firms, and specialized real estate for lab space. These can provide internship and career opportunities.
State-of-the-art facilities and resources
Aside from being one of UCLA’s best majors, you can also participate in faculty-led research projects, work in research labs, and pursue independent research. Some research areas in the department include:
- Artificial intelligence
- Computer system architecture and CAD
- Computational systems biology
- Graphics and vision
- Human-computer interaction
To help you with your research, the university provides access to modern laboratories, computer labs, and research facilities equipped with advanced technology. In general, we can divide them loosely into:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning labs. Equipped with high-performance computing clusters and specialized hardware for AI research.
- Graphics and vision labs. These labs have high-performance computers, and specialized hardware for rendering, and image processing.
- Networking and cybersecurity labs. These labs contain networking hardware, and specialized equipment for cybersecurity testing.
- Robotics labs. These labs contain robotic platforms, and associated hardware and software.
- High-performance computing clusters. These let researchers conduct computationally intensive tasks in areas like AI, data science, and scientific computing.
Political Science at UCLA
If you want to understand and shape the political landscape, UCLA has a strong political science program, also making it one of its best majors. In fact, it ranks 12th in the country.
Hub for political thought and activism
In UCLA political science, you’ll be encouraged to participate in discussions, debates, and activism. The curriculum encourages you to go broad and deep and lets you tailor your studies to your interests and career goals. Examples of variable topic courses you can take are:
- Studies in Formulation of American Foreign Policy
- Special Topics in African Politics
- International Relations
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- Race, Ethnicity & Politics
Different centers and institutes that focus on specific areas of political science also encourage research and networking among students. Some of these include:
- Center for American Politics and Public Policy (CAPPP). CAPPP fosters research on American political institutions, behavior, and public policy.
- Burkle Center for International Relations. This center promotes research and discussion on global issues and international relations.
- Latin American Institute. LAI supports research and teaching related to Latin America.
Internship opportunities
UCLA’s location in Los Angeles provides access to a wide range of internship opportunities in government, non-profit organizations, and political campaigns. This makes it easy for you to gain practical experience and network with professionals in your field.
For instance, the CAPPP chooses undergraduate students to participate in its Quarter in Washington Program. Aside from working on a research project, you’ll also complete an internship at a government agency, think tank, nonprofit, media outlet, or business organization.
Film, Television & Digital Media at UCLA
When talking about the UCLA best majors, we should definitely mention its BA in Film, Television & Digital Media. After all, it’s consistently mentioned as one of the top film schools around the world.
Combining traditional art forms and modern technology
As one of UCLA’s best majors, they’ll teach you the fundamentals of filmmaking, television production, and digital media, while also exploring emerging technologies like digital editing, visual effects, and interactive media. This blend prepares you for the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
On top of a rigorous curriculum that covers all aspects of film, television, and digital media production, you can also specialize in areas like:
- Screenwriting
- Directing
- Cinematography
- Producing
- Animation
- Media studies
Emphasis on storytelling and creative expression
Film, Television & Digital Media is committed to fostering diverse voices and perspectives in storytelling. You’ll be encouraged to explore diverse narratives and create content that reflects the complexity of the world. To help you with that, the department offers classes like:
- Introduction to Art and Technique of Filmmaking
- Stylistic Studies for Moving Image: Theory and Practice
- Media Parks: Cinematic and Television History of Theme Parks
- Introduction to Visual Culture
- Production Practice in Film, Television, and Digital Media
UCLA’s location in Los Angeles gives you unparalleled access to the entertainment industry. It also helps that the program fosters strong connections with studios, production companies, and industry professionals. You’ll even have opportunities for internships, networking events, and guest lectures by industry leaders.
Public Affairs at UCLA
Another one of UCLA’s best majors is public affairs, which ranks 16th in the US. It’s a multidisciplinary major that combines academic training with practical experience.
Interdisciplinary curriculum
The public affairs program connects itself to various disciplines like:
- Economics
- Political science
- Sociology
- Urban planning
This interdisciplinary approach provides you with a holistic understanding of complex policy issues. You’ll learn to analyze problems from multiple perspectives and develop comprehensive solutions.
As one of UCLA’s best majors, you can take various specializations so your education aligns with your career goals. Some specializations you can take are social welfare, public policy, and urban and regional planning.
Focus on real-world impact
The public affairs program emphasizes the practical application of knowledge and skills. You’ll get to engage in hands-on projects, internships, and research that address real-world policy challenges.
To start with, you can participate in research whether as a student working on your own research or as a faculty member’s assistant. Research centers and institutes (like the California Center for Sustainable Communities and Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies) that focus on specific policy areas can give you access to specialized resources, research opportunities, and networking events.
Once you’ve been actively involved in research and policy work, you’ll be ready for many career opportunities, such as:
- Government
- Nonprofit organizations
- Public policy analysis
- Urban planning
- Social work
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What major is UCLA known for?
Ten of the majors that UCLA is known for are Sociology; Biology; Psychology; Mathematics; Economics; Linguistics; Computer Science; Political Science; Film, Television & Digital Media; and Public Affairs.
2. What is the most accepted major at UCLA?
If we’re basing solely on the admission rate per major for the Class of 2028, then Ethnomusicology would be the most accepted major with a 72% admission rate.
3. What are the top 3 majors at UCLA?
It’s hard to definitively say what UCLA’s top 3 majors are. But if we’ll be basing it on rankings, then its top 3 majors are psychology, sociology, and mathematics.
Takeaways
- UCLA has a ton of strong programs, but some of the most popular and well-regarded majors are Sociology, Biology, Psychology, Math, Economics, Linguistics, Computer Science, Political Science, Film, Television & Digital Media, and Public Affairs.
- UCLA’s location makes it easy for students (such as those in film, political science, and computer science) to seek internship and career opportunities.
- See your dream program on this list? A private consultant can help build a solid college application that can increase your chances of getting accepted.
