The line graph illustrates changes in the number of students majoring in four different fields-MBA, engineering, teaching, and journalism-over a 30-year period, measured in thousands. Overall, the date shows the number of students in MBA and engineering programs increased, while the number of students in teaching and journalism declined during this time.
Looking at fields that gained popularity, MBA and engineering both began with nearly 300,000 and 500,000 , respectively, in 1980. These numbers continued to rise by 2000. After that point, the growth in engineering students remained stable, eventually reaching just above 1.5 million, by 2010. In contrast, the number of students in MBA surged dramatically, peaking at roughly 2.5 million, by 2010.
Regarding the fields that saw a decline in popularity, teaching and journalism started with about 800,000 and 400,000 , respectively, in 1980. Both fields experienced a sharp decline, dropping to approximately 400,000 and 200,000 students, in 1990. After 1990, these numbers decreased at a more gradual pace, both reaching similiar levels, about 200,000 students, by 2010.