Times have changed. A decade ago, a college degree was the golden ticket to success. Now, with a struggling economy and entrepreneurship thriving outside traditional academia, many question the value of a four-year degree. High schools increasingly offer technical programs and dual enrollment, allowing graduates to earn professional certifications in fields like electrician work or nursing. These students often secure jobs, buy homes, and build wealth faster than their university-educated peers, who face mounting student loan debt.
A Harvard Law School report revealed that five out of six law graduates struggle to find jobs in their field. Meanwhile, trade school graduates, like those trained as licensed electricians, enjoy steady employment. This prompts a critical question: which college degrees offer the least return on investment today?
According to *Inquisitr*, liberal arts degrees top the list of least valuable majors. *Forbes* notes that colleges, as businesses, invest heavily in marketing to attract students, yet liberal arts or business graduates often earn just $10–$12 per hour. IT and computer science degrees also disappoint, with average salaries around $38,000—barely enough to cover student loans after years of study. Companies increasingly rely on freelancers or contract workers, reducing the need for full-time employees in roles that can be outsourced, making these degrees less desirable.
The Least Valuable College Degrees
The Federal Reserve reports student loan debt as the fastest-growing debt in the U.S., with the average borrower owing $30,000, repayable into their 30s or 40s. Unlike other debts, student loans are rarely dischargeable in bankruptcy. *Fox News* argues a degree is worthless without a return on investment. Here are the top eight least valuable degrees based on lifetime earnings:
- Sociology: Flooded with graduates, this degree yields poor job prospects and an average income of $32,000, making it nearly unmarketable.
- Fine Arts: Revered but rarely lucrative, fine arts degrees seldom translate into profitable careers unless you monetize your creativity.
- Education: In 2010, two-thirds of degrees were education-related, oversaturating the market. Low teacher salaries offset the job’s family-friendly appeal.
- Theology: Pastoral roles offer minimal earnings and involve complex politics, limiting financial rewards despite spiritual fulfillment.
- Tourism/Travel: Commission-based salaries and a volatile market make this degree risky, with dim short- and long-term prospects.
- Nutrition: Aspiring healthcare professionals should pursue nursing instead, as nutrition degrees offer limited career advancement.
- Psychology: Clinical psychology pays poorly unless you’re a high-profile figure, and the market is oversaturated with applicants.
- Communications: Wide-ranging job options come with low pay; climbing corporate ladders without a degree often yields better salaries.
A college degree no longer guarantees a comfortable middle-class life. While pursuing your passion and education matters, carefully consider the cost of a degree. Trade and technical schools are resurging as unemployment among degree-holders rises, prompting high school seniors to explore viable, lucrative career paths outside traditional college.
24 Responses
I disagree about psychology. There is a lot you can do with it. I am majoring in psychology and planning on earning a masters in gerontology. Gerontologists make excellent money, but without majoring in psychology, I would go into my masters not knowing anything. You can also go into social work. Depending on the kind you do, you can make pretty good money. “Unless you’re Dr. Phil or backed by Oprah…” that’s a load of crock. Psychologists make excellent money, especially if they’re in private practice. The times when psychology is useless is when you stop at a bachelors. Then you can’t do anything with it.
In reference to other majors, $48,000 to start per year isn’t actually all that shabby. That is a living wage and most places you can live comfortably on it. Let’s be real here, you’re not going to make much more than that starting out anyway.
A BA in psychology landed two friends colleagues in excellent careers. One is an administrator with Disabled Student Services at a major university, and another works for Child Protective Services as a case worker. Both own homes and are in their fifties now. Those jobs exist!
I agree ! College is an outdated, overpriced, inefficient and time consuming endeavor. All it does is create a pile of debts, and EMPLOYEES. Read that again, EMPLOYEES. A.K.A … modern day slaves. Contrary to how society and education has brainwashed people. Being a lifelong employee is no accomplishment. The fact that between college and employment. Working for 40-50 years… just to be able to retire ?! Inefficient. Education is a business. So they have to keep most of society brainwashed that college is so wonderful and the only way ! Get FINANCIALLY educated. Extensive financial literacy and education is the only way. Of course, college doesn’t teach this. And, if the FAKE teachers.. The professors. Had real financial education and literacy. They would be out there making big money. Rather than chasing after a measly paycheck, desperate for job security … (yawn) and a pension.
“Another worthless degree is one in IT or Computer Science.”
That is the point in the article when I realized this is garbage. Someone needs to do their research and not classify these two as the exact same. Computer Science has got to be one of the most useful 4-year degrees imaginable. IT is more of the maintenance side, whereas CS is more of the creative side of creating software. There is a vacuum in the job market right now for Software Engineering positions. There are so many companies in need of Software Engineers that people who study Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering are getting pulled into these non-hardware related jobs because there’s not enough people graduating in CS to keep up with the demand. The median pay is around 56k but its not too difficult to start at 70k or higher straight out of a 4 year university. Computer Science is worthless? This article is worthless.
Agreed, this article is trash, the author was doubtlessly in the bottom 20% of his graduating class and clueless as to why he can’t get a job.
While this is an important topic for prospective students, it’s a topic should probably be addressed by someone who knows what they are talking about. “Most Useless Degrees” is the type of dismissive language that a steroetypical culture warrior would use, not a journalist or an expert on the matter.
Look at that, Jodi Arias graduated from college.
I’m going to have to agree. Computer science is an ever changing field so what you know today won’t apply tomorrow. Sociology/Psychology are the most popular for people who didn’t learn much in K-12 and are bad at math; the reason is because they are so easy. Those who have sociology and psych degrees tend to get advanced degrees due to the low utility for the undergrad, no different than general studies. Study accounting and finance—much more useful. Also, gender studies and cultural studies are a waste—travel and library books can get you up to speed.
Holy hell, you’re incredibly ignorant.
My daughter graduated from UT atntue top of her class and is working as a Ptivate school teacher. My niece company recently phased out her position as an accountant due software upgrade. The market for degrees are flaky.
Psychology was the most challenging degree at my university! And the only degree that actually studies appropriate science!
Yet another article to encourage young people to jump off bridges and kill themselves. Steph, I pray you aren’t feeding this garbage to you children. Contrary to popular belief, many people do things that they are passionate about despite not making six figures, i.e. psychologists, pastors, educators, people who work in tech… basically everything you listed as not worthwhile. It’s sad that we live in an age where IG models and YouTubers are considered “professions”. God help us all!
i disagree with sociology although it might be hard to get a job which is common with every course or profession this course is actually slept on. In the USA sociologists make a median annual wage of 83,420 dollars a year. sociologists straight out of college earn about 53,00 dollars a year well i don’t know if thats good but it’s definitely good for me. SIGH IGNORANCE!!!!!
Certainly! I agree with you 👍
I really hope this garbage isn’t being fed to the authors children because I disagree about Sociology. I’m currently starting my bachelors degree in Sociology and then I will get my Masters in Behavioral Health. At the bachelors level you can get a job at job as a Behavioral Health Technician or a Case Manager at best, both relatively great paying jobs starting out. You can also work as an investigator for CPS all while earning LCSW hours for your License if you plan to go that route. I really dislike articles like these because I feel like they are written from a biased point of view. Nobody should expect to make 6 figures right out of college because that’s just foolish. As with anything you have to build your brand from the ground up no matter what degree you have. Only then will you truly be successful but everyone starts somewhere
It’s sad to see these majors on the list. There is a great need for professions in education and sociology and tourism, but they are paid very poorly. The field of education in particular is undervalued, I think.
Your point is pretty valid 👍
Hey Stef,
I looked at all your other articles titles. You’re a right wing hack. You should never offer your opinions to others again. Become a mute, not even a mime… That’s how worthless you are.
The course anyone studied those not matter, what matters is the impact you used it to create for yourself, people around and the society at large. Because someone can equally study engineer, medicine,law etc without a Job. So there is a dignity in every labour. those u thought there’s is useless will get a job before u.
What about economics and sociology?
This is a condescending, inane article. Declaring an entire field or interest as “worthless” based on average income is not only insulting and idiotic; it’s incorrect. I know plenty of people with these degrees making a decent income, and most importantly: they are HAPPY. Money isn’t indicative of the entirety of something’s worth. Stef Daniel, I hope you manage to break away from the capitalistic propaganda that caused you to write this garbage.
The author is missing the point. College is not a trade school where you learn specific job skills. You go there to learn how to write, think analytically, and understand complex subjects. Skills highly valued in the workplace. It does not really matter what you studied, but the fact you had the discipline and intelligence to complete a 4-year degree program. Need to determine what you value in life and the type of work you think you would be good at. College is not for everyone. For some people, a trade school is a better option.
This article is trash. Its vague and full of ignorance. Author definitely doesn’t know what he is talking about. Sociology and Psychology are both good programs and can land you a well paying job. I hope this author does not feed his family with this kinda nonsense.
Pretty good read if you’re looking for a laugh. Otherwise, utter garbage.