Why Some Degrees Just Don’t Pay Off
Here, we’ll feature 10 degrees that are a waste of money 2025 has unmasked so far. Then, we’ll discuss why these degrees are so and what degrees are better options. You’ll also know how to choose a degree that’s worth the money and time.
Why should you know about the degrees that aren’t worth the money? First, the job market shifts over time. As such, you must be prepared to adapt to the changes. Start by choosing a versatile and adaptable degree that allows you to do it.
Distinct yet interdependent reasons drive the changes in the job market.
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- Technological advancements drive the demand for tech-related skills. Automation and AI are the prime examples.
- Demographic changes increase demand for skilled workers in certain sectors. Aging populations and migration are primary examples.
- Economic factors, such as booms and recessions, affect the hiring demand. Cost of living and inflation are also significant factors.
- Geopolitical and policy changes can influence job markets. Tariffs, global events, and wars are examples of these changes.
- Changing business and employee needs drive job market changes. Employers and employees have shifting expectations, too.
These changes manifest in many ways, too, including:
- Increase or decrease in demand for certain skills
- Creation of new jobs and obsolescence of old jobs
- Workplace transformation, such as the use of robots
Second, you want to choose a degree that brings in good returns. A college education, after all, is a significant investment. A college student can spend $38,270/year, on average, or at least $153,000 over four years.
Now, if you choose one of the waste-of-money degrees, you can end up with a financial burden. You may have paid thousands of dollars to earn it, but it’s giving back pennies.
How We Determined the “Worst” Degrees
We chose the worst college majors 2025 by considering these factors and questions:
- Employment rates. How likely are graduates to find full-time employment in their specific field?
- Starting salary. How much was the average income for entry-level positions after graduation?
- Long-term earnings. How much is the lifetime earning potential over 10-20 years?
- Industry decline or growth? Is the field stable, expanding, or shrinking?
We focus on college value and worth – a balance between quality and affordability. As such, we enable students and their families to make value-driven decisions.
Top Degrees That Are a Waste of Money in 2025
General Liberal Arts
While it emphasizes transferable skills, it has its downsides that make it a waste of money.
- It offers vague career pathways or less direct career paths for graduates.
- It’s usually seen as too broad in many industries, especially tech-driven sectors.
- It offers fewer job-specific and technical skills.
- It can require more schooling to become a specialist (i.e., it’s a generalist degree).
For these reasons, it’s among the college degrees with the lowest salaries. Starting salaries are $52,089/year (Wells Fargo, 2024). Note that median wages are $49,500/year for all occupations (BLS, May 2024).
The low average starting salary, combined with high underemployment, means low returns. If you want to make it work, you should learn technical skills. Earning professional certifications or internships is a great idea.
Anthropology
Anthropology is among the worst return on investment degrees for these reasons.
- Its graduates have a high unemployment rate at 9.4%. The projected job growth for anthropologists and archaeologists is 8% (BLS, 2023-2033). But it’s not the whole picture – there are only about 800 openings/year, on average.
- It offers limited direct-entry roles. You must gain relevant experience and earn a master’s degree to become an anthropologist. There’s stiff competition for academic and research roles even with these credentials.
- Its lowest median wages are less than $44,510/year (BLS, May 2024). This is a low salary compared to the time and tuition investment.
You’d have to pair an anthropology degree with a more relevant degree to make it work. Think public policy or data science, but it would mean more dollars.
Performing Arts
Unless the stars align and you become a big star, it’s among the least valuable degrees, money-wise.
- It has a high unemployment rate between 7% and 7.6%, especially for new graduates. The high underemployment rate – 66.5% – is proof of its extreme job instability, too. Budget cuts and changing audience preferences are among the reasons.
- It has among the lowest starting salaries of all majors. Visual and performing artists earn $48,700/year, on average (Wells Fargo, 2024). This is lower than the median wages for all occupations.
- It’s a highly competitive entertainment industry. Many performers are freelancers their entire careers. Their common experiences include unstable income and limited job security.
Of course, earning a performance arts degree has its merits. If you’re a creative and expressive person, it may be the right choice. You must have exceptional talent and drive, among other traits, to succeed.
Fine Arts
Like performance arts, it’s among the worst majors for jobs and money. Again, you’d have to be a well-known artist to enjoy good returns on your degree.
Here are a few reasons why it’s among the degrees that are a waste of money.
- It offers comparatively low starting salaries at $48,700/year (Wells Fargo, 2024). Even the BLS figures aren’t encouraging – arts and design occupations earned $53,180/year, on average.
- It can lead to high underemployment with many graduates working outside the field. The unstable income demands working jobs that take time away from artistic pursuits.
The job outlook isn’t bright either. There’s a decreasing demand in the traditional art markets. While there’s an increasing demand for digital artists, it’s a highly competitive field.
Commercial Art and Graphic Design
Of course, it has its value considering that we live in an image-focused society. But it’s among the worst degrees for the money for these reasons.
- It’s among the low paying college degrees that, in turn, means its returns don’t come quick enough. The lowest 10% of graphics designers earned less than $37,600/year (BLS, May 2024). The median wage was $61,300/year.
- It’s a too-popular degree that has resulted in an oversaturation of graduates. The freelance competition is as fierce as in the arts, too.
- It’s among the fields impacted by artificial intelligence (AI). AI tools, such as Canva, create visuals faster and more businesses are using them. Their increasing use among businesses has slowed down hiring.
We must also emphasize that AI isn’t replacing designers – it’s changing their roles. The key here is to adapt, but that’s another story.
Foreign Language/Translation
We can’t say that a foreign language/translation degree is among the majors with no job prospects. But it’s harder for graduates to find well-paying, entry-level jobs as translators.
As in many industries, AI is a disruptive force. Google Translate, among other AI translation tools, is becoming more advanced. As a result, more individuals and companies use them for basic translation tasks. Many companies also use it for their multilingual content.
Low starting salaries at around $40,000/year are also part of the reason. If you want to enjoy a higher income, you should consider pairing it with other degrees. Business, technology, or international relations sounds good.
Despite its importance in society, social work is among the degrees not worth the cost.
- It has comparatively low median wages at $61,330/year (BLS, May 2024). The lowest 10% earned less than $41,580/year.
- It’s a field with a high burnout rate. Yes, the work brings fulfillment, but it takes its toll on your health, too.
Physics
A physics degree may elicit admiration for its challenging nature. But it isn’t worth the money for many graduates because:
- It leads to a few entry-level physics jobs. You’d have to earn a master’s or even a doctoral degree to land high-paying jobs.
- It’s among the STEM fields with poor ROI. The comparatively low-to-average starting salary and limited roles are among its reasons.
With relevant experience and advanced degrees, physics is a good field, money-wise.
Computer Engineering and Computer Science
These are a surprising addition to the list, but there are many good reasons for their inclusion:
- It’s a too-popular degree that has resulted in oversaturation. Skills mismatches have also contributed to rising unemployment.
- Its short-term job placement features a selective process. Competition for entry-level roles is, indeed, fierce.
These degrees bring in good rewards, too, if you play your cards right. Gain real-world experience, earn certifications, and build a strong portfolio.
Public Policy and Law
There are limited entry-level roles for public policy and law graduates in the same field. Individuals interested in high-paying jobs with job security must have advanced education. This can be a master’s degree or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, both of which cost money.
If you pursue graduate school, you’re likely to graduate with high student loan debt. It’s another reason why many individuals don’t pursue the graduate path.
Why These Degrees Struggle in Today’s Job Market
Here are reasons why you should avoid these college degrees. Note that many of these reasons have been cited in the above discussion:
Oversaturation of graduates
The law of demand and supply is at work here. The featured degrees are too popular for their own good. The more graduates there are, the more competition there is for jobs. Plus, the high competition can drive down starting salaries.
Impact of automation and technology
Machines are taking over many process-driven and routine tasks. Of the current and emerging technologies, AI is the most disruptive in the job market.
Declining or low-growth industries
Changing customer preferences, outsourcing, and digital disruption are among the causes. The decline, in turn, affects job availability and career progression.
Degrees That Offer Better ROI Alternatives
We’re not saying that the worst college degrees featured here are absolutely worthless. But if you have a choice, you should consider these high-return, high-value degrees instead.
(Note the “Instead of xx degree, consider yy degree” format)
- General liberal arts → Communications with a concentration in digital marketing
- Anthropology → Public health or data analytics
- Performing arts → Media production or arts management
- Fine arts → Animation or digital media design
- Graphic design → UX/UI design
- Foreign language → Localization management or international management
- Social work → Organizational psychology or human resources management
- Physics → Engineering, any branch
- Computer science (general) → Cloud computing or cybersecurity specializations
- Public policy → Data science with a specialization in public policy
Tips for Choosing a Degree That’s Worth the Money
Don’t just rely on our word either. You should also do your own research about the best value-for-the-money degrees.
After all, we’re providing general information. You must choose based on your unique needs, circumstances, and goals.
- Research the salary data on the degrees you’re interested in. Use only reliable sources, such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale. Choose degrees with strong income potential that can result in fast and high returns.
- Explore your financial aid options early. The more free money you can get, the less of your own money you’ll spend on your degree.
- Assess the demand in the job market. Again, use reliable sources such as BLS and O*NET OnLine for job projections.
Of course, money isn’t the be-all and end-all of your choice. You should also consider the non-monetary benefits that come with your choice of a degree.
Conclusion: Making Smarter Education Investments in 2025
In conclusion, a balanced approach is a must to make a smart investment in a college degree. You must balance passion with practical planning for this reason.
Yes, pursue what you love because work won’t feel like work. But you must also pursue what will pay the bills and lead to stable finances.
In the end, the true meaning of “value” isn’t only about the money. It also means the sense of fulfillment and happiness you get from it.