All that can be quite an adjustment for such a sheltered person, so for now, Fanny is going to cautiously test her new waters and try out a few new things, maybe take up a sport or try culinary arts or debate club – well, okay, maybe not that last one. She’s still not so good with public speaking.

Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey

Major: Creative Writing 

As gullible as she can be, Catherine Morland is no dummy. In fact, out of all of Austen’s heroines, she may just be the most well-read, for while Elizabeth Bennet and Anne Elliot can both often be found with their noses in books, Catherine LOVES books. LOVES them. She practically eats, sleeps, and breathes novels, the more dramatic and suspenseful, the better. 

Basically, Catherine is a 19th-century fangirl, and you know what fangirls love? Fanfiction, both writing and reading it. That would make a major in creative writing more than perfect for Miss Morland, who would thrill at the thought of getting to create her own worlds to get lost in, and not just having to borrow someone else’s. 

All of that obsessive reading is sure to make her pretty darn talented in the literary arts, making her a favorite among her professors. Now if only she hadn’t turned in that Captain America x Iron Man slashfic by mistake. Talk about embarrassing.

What do you think?

Whatever schools they choose to attend and no matter what fields they plan to pursue, we all know the ladies of the Austen canon would totally slay it nowadays. Marriage is great and all, but for now, these spectacular women are taking on the world by themselves, no man needed. (Sorry, Mrs. Bennet.)

Now I want to hear from you – what do you think of the majors for each heroine? Do you agree with my choices? What would our other favorite Austen characters be doing in college? Let’s discuss in the comments.