161 Worst College Degrees That Won’t Pay Your Bills

161 Worst College Degrees That Won’t Pay Your Bills

Choosing a college degree is a significant decision that can impact your career and financial future. While there are no universally “bad” degrees, some fields may lead to lower-paying jobs, fewer career opportunities, or less job stability. However, the value of any degree can also depend on how it’s applied, personal skills, and the individual’s ability to network and adapt.

161 Worst College Degrees That Won’t Pay Your Bills

That said, here are 161 college degrees that some critics argue could be harder to monetize or might not lead to high-paying jobs based on median salary data, job demand, and market trends:

1. Fine Arts

• Careers in fine arts (painting, sculpture, etc.) often come with unstable income and limited job openings.

2. Philosophy

• While valuable for critical thinking, philosophy graduates often struggle to find high-paying, related work.

3. Anthropology

• Jobs in anthropology can be competitive, and salaries in this field tend to be low, especially without a graduate degree.

4. Art History

• Like fine arts, art history degrees can lead to limited job opportunities and lower salaries.

5. Music

• A music degree can be a passion-driven choice, but it often leads to lower-paying jobs unless you’re exceptionally talented or work in education.

6. English Literature

• While an English degree fosters valuable skills, the job market is often saturated, and pay can be low.

7. Theater Arts

• Acting or theater production careers can be highly rewarding, but they are often difficult to break into and can have financial instability.

8. Religious Studies

• While academically fulfilling, a degree in religious studies may not provide many high-paying career opportunities outside of teaching or ministry.

9. Women’s Studies/Gender Studies

• These degrees focus on important social issues, but the direct job market for them is limited and can lead to lower salaries.

10. Sociology

• A sociology degree offers a broad understanding of social systems, but it often requires additional education or specific experience to command higher pay.

11. Political Science

• While political science can open doors to public service, it may not lead to a high salary without further education or specialized experience.

12. History

• History graduates may face challenges in securing high-paying positions outside of education or research.

13. Creative Writing

• Many aspiring writers pursue this degree, but careers in writing can be highly competitive, with few consistent, high-paying opportunities.

14. Humanities

• Broad degrees in the humanities may not directly lead to high-paying jobs, though they can develop valuable skills for a variety of fields.

15. Communication Studies

• While communication is a core skill, this degree alone may not guarantee a high-paying job without additional specialization.

16. Psychology

• A bachelor’s in psychology may not lead to high-paying roles unless you pursue further education to become a licensed counselor or therapist.

17. Liberal Arts

• While versatile, liberal arts degrees can be too broad and may lead to lower-paying, non-specialized roles.

18. Education (without specialization)

• While teaching can be rewarding, general education degrees can have lower salaries unless you’re teaching specialized subjects or have advanced degrees.

19. Social Work

• Social workers often work in emotionally and mentally demanding fields, but the compensation is relatively low compared to the workload.

20. Archaeology

• While fascinating, the field of archaeology often requires graduate-level study, and many roles in this field are poorly paid or hard to come by.

21. Hospitality Management

• Jobs in hospitality are often tied to service or managerial roles with lower salaries unless you work your way up to executive positions.

22. Film Studies

• A degree in film studies may not guarantee a high-paying job unless you’re in a niche role or work in a competitive market like Hollywood.

23. Dance

• Similar to music and theater, a dance degree often leads to limited career opportunities, most of which are low-paying or unstable.

24. Public Relations

• Though important, public relations jobs can be highly competitive and may not always provide lucrative career prospects without a strong network or experience.

25. Culinary Arts

• Chefs and restaurant managers may earn decent salaries, but the hours are long, and the pay can be low, especially in entry-level roles.

26. Fashion Design

• Fashion design careers are difficult to break into and highly competitive, with many positions offering low salaries early on.

27. Environmental Studies

• While environmental work is important, positions often pay lower wages, especially in nonprofit or advocacy roles.

28. Linguistics

• A degree in linguistics can open some doors, but many related roles are low-paying unless you go into teaching or research.

29. Urban Studies

• Urban studies often leads to positions in government or nonprofit sectors, which may be fulfilling but have modest pay.

30. Theology

• While spiritually fulfilling, theology degrees can have limited career opportunities outside of religious institutions, with modest salaries.

31. Gender and Sexuality Studies

• Like other social sciences, this field may offer personal fulfillment but few high-paying career options without additional qualifications.

32. Art Therapy

• While the idea is impactful, jobs in art therapy can be limited and typically pay lower wages compared to other forms of therapy.

33. Photography

• Professional photography can be a passion, but it often requires a substantial amount of self-marketing and competition for higher-paying opportunities.

34. Library Science

• While library science is a growing field, many library-related positions are lower-paying, especially without an advanced degree.

35. Animal Science

• Careers in animal care or research can be rewarding, but salaries in the field can be relatively low unless you specialize or gain advanced degrees.

36. Interior Design

• Although there is a market for interior designers, the competition is fierce, and many entry-level roles offer lower pay.

37. Sports Management

• Sports management may seem glamorous, but many roles are entry-level and come with relatively low pay.

38. Massage Therapy

• Although a certification can lead to a steady career, massage therapy doesn’t often come with high wages, especially without a large clientele.

39. Tourism Management

• A tourism management degree can lead to jobs in travel and hospitality, but these industries often have low wages, especially in the entry-level positions.

40. Journalism

• Journalism has faced significant job declines and salary reductions, especially in traditional media outlets. Freelance positions may also be unstable.

41. Fashion Merchandising

• Jobs in fashion merchandising often pay lower salaries unless you reach high-level roles in major fashion brands.

42. Real Estate

• While it’s possible to make money in real estate, many positions (like real estate agent) come with commissions-based earnings and can be very unpredictable.

43. Recreation and Leisure Studies

• This is a niche field with limited high-paying opportunities, often found in the public sector or nonprofit organizations.

44. Dance Therapy

• Dance therapy is an emerging field, but it can be difficult to find well-paying jobs in this specialized area.

45. Public Administration

• Though it can lead to government roles, many public administration jobs do not offer high salaries, especially at the local or entry level.

46. Agricultural Science

• Many agricultural science positions, especially in farming and food production, offer modest wages unless you move into management or corporate roles.

47. Parks and Recreation Management

• Similar to other public sector roles, careers in parks and recreation may have lower pay but can offer other personal rewards.

48. Game Design

• While the game industry is growing, it’s extremely competitive, and many entry-level game design jobs have low starting pay.

49. Cosmetology

• A career in cosmetology can be rewarding, but it typically involves low wages and tips, with limited upward mobility unless you expand into business ownership.

50. Nonprofit Management

• While nonprofit work can be fulfilling, many positions in this field are low-paying, especially in smaller organizations.

51. Nutrition

• While nutrition is a growing field, entry-level nutrition jobs or roles without a graduate degree may not lead to high salaries.

52. Public Health

• Though the field is essential, public health jobs can often be lower-paying unless you specialize or gain more education.

53. Journalism and Media Studies

• With the decline of traditional media, jobs in journalism and media can be unstable and offer lower pay, especially at entry levels.

54. Foreign Languages

• A degree in foreign languages can open doors to translation or teaching roles, but many of these positions are low-paying.

55. Human Resource Management

• HR can be a rewarding career, but many positions, especially in smaller companies, offer modest pay.

56. Merchandising

• Merchandising and retail management can lead to a career, but salaries are often lower unless you move into corporate roles or management.

57. Special Education (without further certification)

• Special education teachers are in demand, but many positions may not offer high salaries unless you specialize or pursue advanced certifications.

58. Tourism and Hospitality

• The tourism and hospitality industry offers many entry-level roles with low pay, though opportunities for advancement exist in larger companies.

59. Veterinary Technician

• Though working with animals can be rewarding, veterinary technicians typically have lower wages compared to veterinarians.

60. Travel and Tourism

• Careers in travel planning or tourism-related industries can be fun, but the pay often doesn’t match the effort required to succeed in the industry.

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It’s important to note that many of these degrees may be valuable in the right context or for individuals with specific goals. Success is often determined by how you apply your degree, the industry you work in, and your willingness to continue learning and adapting.

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61-70: Science and Healthcare (Lower Paying Roles)

61. Biology
    While a biology degree opens doors to healthcare and research, many roles require advanced degrees, and entry-level positions often offer low pay.
62. Chemistry
    Chemistry graduates may find work in research or labs, but these roles are often low-paying without a higher degree.
63. Environmental Science
    Environmental science can be fulfilling, but jobs in this field often pay modest salaries, especially in government roles.
64. Agricultural Science
    Agricultural science can lead to careers in farming or research, but pay is often lower in these sectors compared to other sciences.
65. Veterinary Technician
    While working with animals can be rewarding, veterinary technicians often earn relatively low salaries compared to other healthcare professionals.
66. Nursing Assistant
    Nursing assistants are essential but are often underpaid, especially when working in hospitals or long-term care facilities.
67. Physical Therapy Assistant
    While a stable career, physical therapy assistants often earn less than fully licensed physical therapists.
68. Medical Laboratory Technician
    Medical lab technicians are crucial but often earn modest salaries unless they specialize in a particular area of testing.
69. Radiologic Technology
    Radiologic technologists work in healthcare but often start with modest salaries, especially in entry-level hospital roles.
70. Dental Hygiene
    While dental hygiene offers solid pay in some cases, salaries can be lower than other healthcare professions like nursing or medicine.

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71-80: Science and Research (Underpaid Fields)

71. Physics
    A physics degree can open doors to research or teaching roles, but these positions are often underfunded or low-paying.
72. Geology
    Geologists work in resource extraction or research, but many find that the job market is small and the pay is relatively modest.
73. Mathematics
    While mathematicians are in demand, many positions require advanced degrees, and entry-level jobs tend to be low-paying.
74. Astronomy
    Astronomy is a niche field, and most jobs require a PhD, with low-paying academic or research positions early on.
75. Psychiatric Technician
    While important in mental health care, psychiatric technicians often make low wages compared to other healthcare providers.
76. Microbiology
    While essential for research and medical labs, microbiologists can struggle to find well-paying positions without advanced degrees.
77. Biochemistry
    Biochemists can work in research, but many entry-level roles have modest pay, requiring years of experience or a higher degree to increase earning potential.
78. Forensic Science
    Forensic science can be an exciting field, but entry-level forensic scientists often earn low salaries, especially in government positions.
79. Nutrition
    Nutritionists often face competition in the healthcare field, and the pay can be low without a specialized focus or private practice.
80. Exercise Science
    While related to health, exercise science careers typically lead to low-paying jobs in gyms, wellness programs, or personal training.

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81-90: Miscellaneous

81. Library Science
    Library science offers job stability but low-paying roles, especially in public institutions.
82. Culinary Arts
    A culinary degree offers creative opportunities but often leads to low-paying chef or kitchen staff positions.
83. Tourism Management
    The tourism industry can be volatile, with many positions offering low wages, especially in hospitality and customer service.
84. Massage Therapy
    While massage therapy offers flexibility, it often doesn’t lead to high-paying roles unless you specialize.
85. Cosmetology
    Cosmetology careers can be rewarding but often involve long hours and modest pay unless you build a significant clientele.
86. Funeral Services
    While necessary, funeral service roles often come with long hours and modest pay, particularly in the early stages.
87. Fashion Merchandising
    Fashion merchandising can lead to exciting roles, but the pay is often low until you reach a managerial level or gain significant experience.
88. Veterinary Technician
    Like medical assistants, veterinary techs often have great job satisfaction but earn relatively low wages in the early years.
89. Audio Engineering
    Many audio engineers start with low-paying roles in studios or live events before they can land better-paying positions.
90. Public Relations
    Public relations can be a competitive field with low-paying entry-level positions, often requiring years of experience to reach higher-paying roles.

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91-101: More Uncertain Career Paths

91. Fashion Journalism
    While the fashion industry is glamorous, many fashion journalists face low pay and job insecurity early in their careers.
92. Petroleum Engineering
    While lucrative in some cases, many petroleum engineers face job instability due to fluctuating oil prices.
93. Advertising and Media Buying
    This can be a competitive field, but media buyers often start with modest salaries and low job security in agencies.
94. Event Planning
    Event planning offers creativity but typically leads to low-paying roles in the early stages.
95. Sports Management
    While sports are a huge industry, sports management degrees often lead to low-paying assistant roles.
96. Public Policy
    Public policy work in the government sector can be fulfilling, but it often doesn’t offer high-paying positions.
97. Real Estate Management
    Real estate management may sound lucrative, but early-career salaries tend to be low until you’ve accumulated experience.
98. Construction Management
    Although construction management can be lucrative in some cases, many entry-level positions pay modest salaries.
99. Hotel Management
    Hotel managers often face demanding hours and modest pay early in their careers.
100. Nursing Assistant
     Although essential in healthcare, nursing assistants earn relatively low wages compared to other healthcare professions.
101. Security Studies
     Security studies may open doors to government roles, but many positions in this field are underpaid or low-level jobs.

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102-111: Healthcare and Medical Fields (Lower-paying Subfields)

102. Medical Assistant
     Medical assistants are crucial for office operations, but their pay is generally low compared to fully licensed medical professionals like doctors or nurses.
103. Dental Assistant
     While dental assistants play an essential role, their salaries are relatively low, especially compared to dental hygienists or dentists.
104. Pharmacy Technician
     Pharmacy technicians are in demand, but their pay is often modest, especially in retail pharmacies or hospitals.
105. Chiropractic Assistant
     Working in a chiropractic office can be fulfilling, but chiropractic assistants generally earn less than the chiropractors they support.
106. Physical Therapy Aide
     Physical therapy aides assist with patient care, but the salary is relatively low compared to fully licensed physical therapists.
107. Health Information Technician
     Health information technicians deal with medical records and billing, but these jobs often pay less than direct clinical roles.
108. Optician
     While opticians help fit glasses and contact lenses, the salary potential is often lower than other healthcare fields such as nursing or physical therapy.
109. Respiratory Therapist
     While important, respiratory therapists generally earn less than nurses or doctors, though the job stability and fulfillment are high.
110. Surgical Technician
     Surgical techs are vital in the operating room, but their salaries are generally lower compared to registered nurses or surgeons.
111. Veterinary Technologist
     Veterinary technologists often earn lower salaries than human medical professionals, even though their work with animals can be very rewarding.

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112-121: Engineering and Technology (Lower-paying Specializations)

112. Industrial Engineering
     While industrial engineers are in demand in manufacturing and logistics, their starting salaries may be lower compared to more specialized engineering fields like electrical or chemical engineering.
113. Civil Engineering (Non-Specialized)
     Civil engineers who focus on general construction or public infrastructure may have lower pay compared to those in specialized fields like structural or environmental engineering.
114. Agricultural Engineering
     Agricultural engineers focus on farming technologies, but the pay in this niche field is often lower compared to other engineering disciplines.
115. Environmental Engineering
     Although crucial for sustainability, environmental engineers may struggle with lower pay, especially in non-profit or governmental roles.
116. Textile Engineering
     Textile engineers work in the fashion and materials industries, but their salaries are generally lower compared to engineers in other sectors.
117. Mining Engineering
     Mining engineers can earn decent pay, but many face unstable job markets and lower pay compared to engineers in the tech or software industries.
118. Automotive Engineering
     While automotive engineers can work on exciting projects, their salaries are often lower than those in more advanced tech engineering fields.
119. Marine Engineering
     Marine engineers work on ships and offshore structures, but the pay tends to be lower compared to engineers in aerospace, tech, or energy sectors.
120. Petroleum Engineering (Unpredictable)
     While petroleum engineers can make substantial money, this field is highly volatile, with fluctuating demand based on global oil prices, leading to periods of low job security.
121. Nuclear Engineering (Risky, Niche)
     Nuclear engineers can earn high wages, but it’s a niche field with significant safety risks and a limited number of job opportunities.

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122-131: Arts and Humanities (Various Specializations)

122. Fashion Merchandising
     Fashion merchandising can lead to opportunities in retail or marketing, but most positions offer low starting salaries and high competition.
123. Journalism
     Journalism offers important societal value, but many journalism jobs, particularly in print or small outlets, are underpaid with limited job stability.
124. Public Relations (Entry-Level)
     Public relations professionals manage client relationships, but entry-level PR jobs typically offer lower pay, and success is highly competitive.
125. Film Production
     While film production offers creative opportunities, many workers start in low-paying roles like PA (production assistant) or interns, which require long hours and little pay.
126. Event Planning (Small-scale)
     While large-scale event planning (like for corporations) can be lucrative, smaller events or local wedding planners often struggle with limited income potential.
127. Advertising Design
     Though advertising is a key industry, design roles often start with low pay, especially in smaller agencies or freelance positions.
128. Journalism (Broadcast)
     Broadcast journalism can be competitive, and many journalists start with low-paying local TV or radio jobs, often struggling to make a substantial income early on.
129. Public Speaking Coaching
     While public speaking can be profitable for top-tier professionals, those starting out as coaches often struggle to establish a client base and charge high rates.
130. Screenwriting
     Breaking into Hollywood or even smaller independent productions can be extremely difficult for screenwriters, and many work for years without making significant money.
131. Social Media Management
     Many social media management roles are low-paying, and the growth potential in these positions can be limited unless you work for a large company or have a strong personal brand.

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132-141: Miscellaneous Low-Demand Degrees

132. Human Geography
     While geography is an important field, human geography (focused on social and cultural aspects) may not lead to lucrative opportunities unless paired with urban planning or data analysis skills.
133. Urban Studies
     Urban studies can lead to careers in city planning or development, but many positions offer lower wages unless you work in high-demand areas or with large organizations.
134. Public Administration
     While public administration provides valuable skills for working in government, the salaries in the public sector often don’t compare to those in the private sector.
135. Cultural Studies
     Cultural studies often lead to roles in teaching or research, but these positions typically have lower pay compared to business or technical fields.
136. Photography (Professional)
     Professional photographers face a highly competitive market and often need to supplement their income with other forms of work, such as freelancing or teaching.
137. Travel and Tourism Management
     While the travel industry offers many jobs, most of them have low salaries, especially in areas like tourism marketing, sales, and travel agency work.
138. Human Resources Management (Entry-Level)
     While HR is important for any organization, many entry-level HR positions come with lower salaries compared to more specialized roles within the business world.
139. Sociology (General)
     Sociology offers a broad understanding of society but doesn’t often translate into high-paying jobs without further specialization, like social work or counseling.
140. Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
     While this is a growing field, speech-language pathology assistants typically earn less than fully licensed pathologists.
141. Tourism and Hospitality
     The tourism and hospitality industry provides numerous jobs, but they are often low-paying, especially in entry-level hotel, event, and restaurant management roles.

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142-151: Lower-Paying Roles in Growing Fields

142. Cybersecurity (Entry-Level)
     While cybersecurity is a growing field, many entry-level roles offer modest pay, especially if the job is within smaller firms or government agencies.
143. Artificial Intelligence (Niche Specializations)
     AI and machine learning are high-demand fields, but niche specializations within AI (such as data labeling or entry-level roles) offer low pay compared to high-end developers or researchers.
144. Blockchain Development
     Blockchain developers can earn a good salary, but many entry-level positions in this field offer lower pay until you’ve gained substantial experience.
145. Data Science (Junior Roles)
     Data science is lucrative, but junior data scientists may start with low salaries, especially at startups or in roles where there is a high volume of data to handle.
146. App Development (Freelance)
     Freelance app developers may struggle to make consistent income unless they have a strong portfolio or are employed by large tech firms.
147. Digital Marketing
     Digital marketing is important, but many entry-level digital marketers earn modest pay in content creation, SEO, or social media management roles.
148. E-commerce Management
     While e-commerce is booming, many e-commerce managers in small businesses start with low salaries, especially in the beginning when the business is scaling.
149. Technical Support (IT)
     IT support roles are essential but often offer low pay, particularly in non-technical or customer service roles.
150. Health and Safety Technician
     Health and safety roles are necessary for workplace regulations, but technicians in this field often earn lower wages compared to higher-level health and safety engineers.

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152-161: Education & Public Sector

152. Community College Teaching
     Community colleges often have lower-paying teaching positions compared to four-year universities, and adjunct professors are typically paid on a per-class basis.
153. Education Administration (Non-Principal)
     While principals in schools can earn decent salaries, other administrative roles (like counselors or department heads) often have lower pay.
154. Peace and Conflict Studies
     While this is an important field in diplomacy and human rights, the pay for jobs directly related to peace and conflict studies tends to be lower than in other public service areas.
155. Public Policy (Non-Governmental)
     While public policy is an impactful field, jobs in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or think tanks can often be low-paying unless in senior positions.
156. Nonprofit Management
     Nonprofit managers often work for causes they are passionate about, but salaries in nonprofit sectors are usually lower than those in the private sector.
157. Humanitarian Aid
     Humanitarian work is rewarding, but salaries are generally modest and many positions require significant travel or exposure to high-risk environments.
158. International Relations
     International relations majors may struggle to find high-paying roles unless they focus on government, business, or high-profile NGOs.
159. Public Health (Non-Clinical)
     Public health roles in research or administration can be rewarding but don’t always come with high salaries unless you’re in a leadership role.
160. Environmental Policy
     Environmental policy careers are important but often lead to jobs with modest pay in government or advocacy roles.
161. Social Justice Studies
     Social justice is an important field, but jobs in social justice organizations, advocacy, and activism can be low-paying, especially without specialized expertise.

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Final Thoughts

While these degrees may not offer the highest earning potential, it’s essential to remember that career satisfaction, personal interest, and societal impact are also significant factors when choosing a degree. Many individuals pursue paths in fields like the arts, humanities, or public service for personal fulfillment rather than financial gain. If you’re passionate about a specific area, consider supplementing your education with skills that may enhance your employability, such as certifications, internships, or work experience in a related field.