Which degrees will get the most jobs in 2026? CS leads, MBA declines

Tech remains the safest path into the workforce in 2026, but the pecking order beneath it is being reshaped. A nationwide skills snapshot shows Computer Science and Information Technology graduates still dominate entry-level hiring, while MBA employability has slipped. Meanwhile, commerce, science, arts, and vocational tracks are quietly climbing—mirroring employers’ tilt toward digital fluency, practical skills, and the fast-growing green economy.

The 2026 snapshot: who’s most hire-ready?

The latest survey of graduate employability depicts a clear hierarchy—familiar at the top, more fluid in the middle:

• CS and IT: continue to lead the pack, riding demand for AI, data engineering, cybersecurity, and cloud.
• MBA: employability has eased to 72.76%, down from roughly 78% in recent years.
• Commerce: up to 62.81%, buoyed by analytics-savvy roles in finance, supply chains, and digital operations.
• Science (non-IT): about 61%, reflecting growing interest in interdisciplinary, data-driven roles (from climate analytics to materials testing).
• Arts: 55.55%, gaining traction in content, UX research, public policy, and communication-heavy roles within tech-enabled sectors.
• Vocational: ITI at 45.95% and Polytechnic diplomas at 32.92%, improving as industry prioritizes hands-on competency.

IT remains the biggest recruiter of fresh graduates, absorbing about 35% of entry-level hires—one reason CS/IT consistently top employability charts.

Why tech still sits on top

• AI and data everywhere: Companies across sectors—from banking to clean energy—are embedding AI, analytics, and automation into daily operations.
• Roles at the data–engineering edge: Employers want talent that can bridge software, data, and business outcomes, not just write code.
• Cloud-first, cyber-aware: Cloud architecture, DevOps, and security are now baseline capabilities for digital firms and traditional industries alike.

The MBA wobble: generalists lose ground

The dip to 72.76% employability doesn’t spell trouble for management education—it signals a reset. The premium now lies with MBAs who pair business with technology and domain depth.

• Hybrid beats pure-play: Engineering-plus-management and analytics-led profiles are outcompeting generalist MBAs.
• Applied over abstract: Rapid shifts—AI in operations, platform-based business models, distributed teams—favor graduates with data literacy and execution chops.
• New competition: With commerce graduates rising and tech-heavy sectors leading fresher hiring, MBAs without digital fluency face tougher headwinds.

Commerce, science, arts: the climbers

Commerce’s leap to 62.81% highlights a changing economy where finance, compliance, and logistics are deeply digital. Pairing accounting or economics with analytics, ERP, or supply-chain tech is opening doors in fintech, e-commerce, and green finance.

Science graduates near 61% are benefiting from cross-functional roles—quality assurance, regulatory science, environmental monitoring, lab automation, and climate-tech R&D—where data skills are a differentiator.

Arts at 55.55% points to rising demand for communicators, designers, and policy analysts who can translate complexity into clarity—vital in user experience, sustainability reporting, and public engagement for infrastructure and energy projects.

Vocational momentum and the green transition

Employability gains for ITI (45.95%) and Polytechnic (32.92%) graduates reflect a “skills-first” hiring trend—especially in sectors that anchor the energy and mobility transition:

• Renewables: Installation and maintenance for solar and wind; grid integration; SCADA and IoT for asset monitoring.
• Electric mobility: EV manufacturing, battery pack assembly, thermal management, charging infrastructure deployment.
• Smart manufacturing: Mechatronics, industrial automation, predictive maintenance, and safety systems.
• Circular economy: E-waste handling, materials recovery, and repair/refurbishment value chains.

As clean energy scales and factories digitize, employers increasingly reward hands-on capability, certifications, and on-the-job learning. Vocational pathways are no longer peripheral—they are essential to building resilient, low-carbon infrastructure.

How to future-proof your degree

• Blend core with digital: Whatever your major, add data tools (SQL, Python, spreadsheets, BI) and cloud basics.
• Specialize with purpose: In CS/IT, focus on AI/ML, cybersecurity, data engineering, or cloud. In business, add analytics, product, or supply-chain tech. In commerce, layer on fintech, risk, or sustainability accounting.
• Get climate-literate: Across fields, learn the fundamentals of energy systems, emissions, and ESG—green skills increasingly sway hiring.
• Build evidence: Internships, capstone projects, hackathons, and shop-floor apprenticeships matter more than ever.
• Stack credentials: Industry certifications (cloud, security, CAD/CAM, PLC, solar/EV technician) can fast-track interviews.

Where jobs are likely to surge in 2026

• AI, data, and cloud engineering across sectors
• Cybersecurity and risk in finance, healthcare, and public infrastructure
• Green energy and EV supply chains—project execution, O&M, and quality
• Digital finance: payments, compliance, credit analytics, and green finance
• Operations and supply chains powered by analytics and automation
• UX/content and policy communication for tech-enabled services and sustainability

The bottom line: Degrees still matter—but the mix of digital skills, specialization, and applied experience matters more. CS and IT remain the surest bet for freshers, MBAs need stronger tech and domain depth to stand out, and commerce, science, arts, and vocational tracks are all gaining when paired with data and real-world practice. In a climate-conscious, digital-first economy, employability flows to those who can learn fast, build, and adapt.