What degree is not worth it?

No single degree is universally "not worth it," but those with low financial return on investment (ROI) often include fine/performing arts, humanities (philosophy, history, English), and some social sciences (sociology, anthropology), especially without further education, due to lower starting pay and less direct career paths compared to high-demand fields like engineering or computer science. The "worth" depends heavily on individual goals, career focus, willingness to get advanced degrees, and the evolving job market, where AI impacts certain roles.

What are the least useful degrees?

5 Degrees That No Longer Hold Up

• General Liberal Arts (With No Clear Direction) ...
• Visual And Performing Arts. ...
• Communications. ...
• Gender Studies, Ethnic Studies And Similar Fields. ...
• General Psychology Or Sociology (Undergrad Only) ...
• Computer Science And IT. ...
• Nursing. ...
• Engineering.

What degree is most regretted?

The most regretted college degrees often fall under humanities and communication fields, with Journalism topping the list (around 87% regret), followed by Sociology, Liberal Arts, and Communications, primarily due to concerns about job prospects and lower earning potential compared to quantitative or STEM fields like Computer Science and Engineering, which are among the least regretted. Other highly regretted majors include Education, Marketing, and Biology.
 

Can you make $100,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, you can absolutely make $100,000 a year without a bachelor's degree by pursuing high-demand fields like skilled trades (electrician, HVAC), technology (IT, software development via bootcamps), sales, and specialized roles like air traffic controller or elevator technician, often relying on certifications, apprenticeships, experience, and sales success instead of a traditional degree. While data shows millions of Americans earn six figures without a degree, these paths require specialized training, experience, or proven skills rather than a four-year diploma, with many companies valuing "new-collar" talent. 

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

The most prominent "$400,000 job without a college degree" discussed in recent news is a Walmart Supercenter Store Manager, where compensation can reach that level through a combination of increased base pay (around $128k average), significant bonuses (up to 200% of base), and annual stock grants (up to $20k) for top performers, making the role lucrative for those rising from hourly work. Other paths to high income without a degree include skilled trades, tech sales, and specialized roles like power plant operators, often achieved through skills-based training, certificates, or apprenticeships rather than a traditional four-year degree.
 

having a college degree then vs. now

What are new collar jobs?

What does “new collar” mean? The term “new collar” is associated with professions where employees develop their technical and soft skills through nontraditional education paths. Employers trying to fill these roles focus on candidates' skill sets rather than formal education degrees.

What is the #1 easiest major?

There's no single #1 easiest major, as it depends on your strengths, but Psychology, Education, English, and Criminal Justice frequently rank as the easiest due to higher average GPAs and less demanding technical skills compared to STEM fields, often focusing on human behavior, societal structures, and communication. Majors like Sociology, Social Work, and Communications are also commonly cited as easier liberal arts options. 

What majors are declining?

History As a percentage of all bachelor's degrees, history has fallen to some of its lowest points since the 1980s. Foreign Languages and Literatures This field has also seen a considerable drop in the number of degrees awarded since the 1970s and 1980s.

What is the lowest paid major?

10 of the lowest-paying majors

1. Theology. Average salary: $40,000 per year A theology major studies various religious texts, religions and the relationship between humans and religion. ...
2. Fine and performing arts. ...
3. Public policy and social services. ...
4. Education. ...
5. Library science. ...
6. Liberal arts. ...
7. Psychology. ...
8. English.

What degrees are actually useful?

Which College Degrees Have the Best Return on Investment?

• Engineering major ROI – 326.6%
• Computer Science & Computer Information Technology major ROI – 310.3%
• Nursing major ROI – 280.9%
• Accounting major ROI – 261.3%
• Biochemistry major ROI – 248.2%

Why is Gen Z not going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to skyrocketing costs, overwhelming student debt, and a perceived poor return on investment (ROI), especially with AI changing jobs and stronger alternatives like skilled trades emerging, leading many to seek faster, cheaper paths to financial stability and job security. They've seen Millennials' debt struggles, witness online success stories, and value hands-on training over traditional degrees, making college less of a guaranteed ticket to success.
 

What majors are not in demand?

Precision Production, Library Science, Military Technologies, and Theology are among the least common majors. Some majors are uncommon due to limited career demand, niche interest areas, and limited access to specialized equipment or resources.

What degree is most unemployed?

Anthropology consistently ranks as the bachelor's degree with the highest unemployment rate, often around 9.4%, followed by other arts, humanities, and some science/tech fields like Physics, Fine Arts, and Computer Engineering, according to recent 2025 data from sources like the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Business Insider. 

What is the easiest but highest paying degree?

8 easy degrees that pay well

1. Business Administration. Business administration is a top example of an "easy major." Most programs take four years to complete, but some only take three years! ...
2. English. ...
3. Human Resources. ...
4. Criminal Justice. ...
5. Marketing. ...
6. Supply Chain Management. ...
7. Psychology. ...
8. Communications.

What are the top 5 most difficult degrees?

2026 List of the Hardest College Majors

• Legal Studies. Average GPA: 3.35. ...
• Computer Science. Average GPA: 3.0. ...
• Environmental Earth Science. Average GPA: 2.96. ...
• Chemistry. Average GPA: 2.77. ...
• Environmental Economics and Policy. Average GPA: 2.95. ...
• American Studies. Average GPA: 3.12. ...
• Nuclear Engineering. ...
• Energy Engineering.

What majors do people regret the least?

Of those who participated in the 2023 College Major Satisfaction Survey, 13.2% said that if they could choose their major now, they would choose Computer Science, 8.2% would choose Business, 6% Engineering, and 5.2% Nursing and Healthcare.

What careers are no longer in demand?

10 Jobs Lost To Technology

• Human computers. Before electronic computers, human computers were responsible for completing complex mathematical calculations by hand. ...
• Pin Boys. ...
• Lift operators. ...
• Switchboard operators. ...
• Cashiers. ...
• Factory workers. ...
• Warehouse workers. ...
• Data-entry clerks.

What are good 2 year degrees?

Here are some of the highest-paying two-year degree programs to consider.

• Air Traffic Control/Management. ...
• Nuclear Science or Nuclear Technology. ...
• Radiation Therapy. ...
• Dental Hygiene. ...
• Sonography and Cardiovascular Technology. ...
• Radiologic and MRI Technology. ...
• Respiratory Therapy. ...
• Aerospace Engineering or Engineering Technology.

Which major has the most dropouts?

Dropout rates by major:

STEM fields have higher attrition than non-STEM majors overall. Computer science has a 10.7% early dropout rate (among the highest) Business and engineering also show high early losses. Only 40% of those who declare STEM majors complete the degree.

What college has 100% acceptance?

Colleges with a 100% admission rate, often called "open admissions," focus on providing access, accepting most or all applicants who meet basic requirements, including Broward College, Utah Valley University, Cameron University, and Montana State University--Billings. Many other schools, like University of Mississippi and Nevada-Las Vegas, have acceptance rates above 90%, while selective institutions like Harvard and Caltech have rates below 10%.
 

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

To earn $2000 daily, you need high-value skills or scalable hustles like specialized freelancing (AI training, high-end writing), sales (physician moonlighting, medical sales), building online assets (e-commerce, digital products, YouTube), or flipping high-value items, moving beyond basic gigs like surveys or simple driving to truly high-earning potential.
 

What jobs will no longer exist in 2030?

By 2030, jobs most at risk of disappearing or significantly declining due to AI and automation include routine administrative roles (data entry, clerks, receptionists), customer service positions (telemarketers, call center agents), transportation (truck, taxi drivers), and certain manufacturing/logistics jobs (assembly line, warehouse pickers), alongside finance (bank tellers, bookkeepers) and retail (cashiers) roles, with significant shifts driven by technology, reports Fast Company and Forbes. 

What is a pink collar job?

A pink-collar job is a role historically dominated by women, typically in the service, caregiving, or administrative sectors, focusing on interpersonal skills and providing essential support like nursing, teaching, secretarial work, or childcare, often with lower pay and less prestige than white-collar or blue-collar jobs. The term emerged in the 1970s to categorize these female-centric positions, distinct from manual labor (blue-collar) and professional/office (white-collar) roles, though many men now also work in these fields.