A recent working paper in the National Bureau of Economic Research analyzed earnings and educational data from over a million individuals and found that individuals who earn double majors in college are less likely to be affected by layoffs. The researchers found that individuals with double majors are more than fifty percent less likely to experience negative earnings shocks compared to individuals with a single major. The findings reveal that double majors tend to have broader skill sets and these individuals are better positioned for a greater number of jobs. A different paper found that individuals with double majors are also more likely to earn higher wages, and the number of students who are choosing to major in two subjects is steadily increasing. With the increasing use of AI and greater uncertainty regarding job security, a double major could provide workers with greater stability compared to other students.
See "Researchers have found that individuals who double major tend to get laid off less and earn higher salaries", Jacob Zinkula, Business Insider, February 21, 2024