Should Students Choose University or Major? Job Bank Releases Latest Data: Right Choice Boosts Average Salary by 32%, Half of Workers Regret Their Decision

With subject exam score reports about to be released, students will begin submitting their university applications on August 5 and await final results on August 17. At this pivotal life juncture, incoming freshmen often struggle with whether to prioritize the university name or their chosen major.

According to a new survey released by yes123 Job Bank, nearly seven in ten (69.7%) working professionals recalled that they prioritized 'choosing a major over a school' when applying to universities, compared to 30.3% who chose 'choosing a school over a major.' This decision has had a direct impact on their post-graduation salaries. Cross-analysis shows that those who chose their major first currently earn an average monthly salary of NT$45,406, while those who prioritized the school earn NT$34,398—making the former group's income 1.32 times higher, or 32% more.

When do professionals most commonly feel regret?

The survey also explored the reasons behind people's choice of major. The top two reasons were 'exam scores qualified me for this major' (36.3%) and 'personal interest' (35.3%), followed by 'fully decided by parents or elders' (16.1%) and 'future job market considerations' (12.3%). However, 58.2% of respondents admitted regretting their choice of major, with 32.8% regretting it after job hunting post-graduation and 25.4% feeling regret during their studies.

Breaking it down further, the overall regret rate among those who chose major over school was 51.2%, while those who prioritized the school had a regret rate of 74.3%—meaning only 25.7% of this group say they do not regret their decision.

Which college experiences are most helpful for job hunting?

Commenting on these findings, yes123 Job Bank spokesperson Yang Tsung-pin analyzed that professionals who prioritized their major typically had greater interest and understanding of their field before enrollment, leading to clearer career direction. This early preparation often results in stronger workplace performance and higher salaries.

Reflecting on college regrets, respondents selected multiple answers for what they wish they had done: 'did not strengthen foreign language skills' (69.2%), 'did not cultivate a second specialty' (61.7%), and 'did not develop a practical skill' (51.6%). Notably, 67.3% expressed a desire to reapply to college. Nonetheless, 75.3% affirmed that their 'major' was more helpful in job hunting, and 67.1% believed 'part-time work experience' was the most beneficial extracurricular activity for their careers.