If you’re thinking of heading to college soon, you may be trying to figure out which would be the best college degree for you. This could even mean trying to establish which would be the worst for you. Here are 20 college degrees that are now considered a waste of time.
Criminal Justice
This degree was mainly inspired by TV shows such as Criminal Minds. While TV may make the job appear fun, the reality can be significantly different. For example, EDsmart writes, “Many students who major in criminal justice will spend a significant amount of time after graduation searching for a rare desk job for which they are qualified.”
Culinary Arts
Culinary arts teaches cooking skills, but sometimes not business or health-related skills that come with cooking. Many college graduates find it difficult to find employment and may be better off attending trade schools. Sometimes, a specialized degree doesn’t give you a wide range of skills.
Education
Studying for a degree in education means you also need to study a specialty and potentially even further degrees for certification. A general degree can leave graduates underqualified for certain teaching positions. A student may also need to study for a master’s degree for future employment.
Entrepreneurship
If a person is looking to become an entrepreneur, sometimes they’re better off with hands-on business experience rather than studying for a degree. Also, graduates may find themselves less employable than a person who studied a broader business degree. Practical experience and further education are usually the best paths to becoming an entrepreneur.
Ethnic and Civilization Studies
While this degree is culturally relevant, it may not directly lead to the expected career paths. Graduates often look for careers in education, social work, or counseling, and these all require specific degrees. Another option is to double major or use this degree as a minor to enhance employability.
Fashion Design
CareerAddict writes, “The primary issue is that, similar to many design-based subjects, fashion design requires an innate artistic ability and a strong aptitude for creativity—things that no school in the world can teach.” Not only this, but it’s also a very competitive field, and it can be difficult to acquire a job after graduation.
Film, Video, and Photographic Arts
Degrees in these fields are great for people who are highly artistic, as they help unleash creativity. However, when it comes to finding a job with one of these degrees, it can become difficult. Success in photography and videography often comes from talent, not from having a degree.
Languages
Learning languages offers many cultural insights, but it can still be difficult to land a job, especially one that’s high-paying. Graduates often become translators or work in international relations, but these opportunities can be limited. Sometimes it’s worth having a language as a skill and choosing a different degree.
Advertising
Industry changes mean traditional advertising degrees aren’t as relevant anymore. Sometimes, it can be easier for a person to acquire a job in advertising if they have digital marketing or social media skills. You can pick up these skills from online courses, which are often free or considerably cheaper than a college degree.
Liberal Arts
This degree covers a broad scope of subjects, and this can make it more difficult to find a job unless there’s a specialization. Not only is it considered one of the lowest-paid degrees, but graduates may also struggle to find employment. Other degrees that are close to this subject may be more relevant.
Music
Even if you have a passion for music, pursuing a degree in it may not be the best option. Instead, Niche Pursuits suggests, “An alternative path would be pursuing a more lucrative degree and pursuing your music interests on the side.” A degree isn’t always essential for a career in music.
Performing Arts
A degree isn’t needed for a successful career in acting or entertainment. Many successful actors don’t have any form of degree, which shows that success in this career comes from talent. Instead of a degree, consider investing in acting classes. It’s much cheaper than a degree, and it will be much more useful.
Anthropology
This degree requires extensive education, and then there are limited job opportunities for a graduate. There can be significant challenges for anthropology graduates when entering the workforce. While it may be interesting to study, it may be more worthwhile to consider degrees with clearer career paths.
Philosophy
While philosophy is a great academic degree thanks to its diverse knowledge, a graduate can face limited job opportunities. Graduates may need to study further or study in other fields to be able to find employment. It may be worth considering degrees with more practical applications.
Archeology
Papers from the Institute of Archaeology write, “Archaeology has long held a reputation for delivering great intellectual stimulation but poor financial rewards, and until the late 20th century, there was no real potential to earn a living from archaeology.” This high investment in education may not pay off due to the lack of jobs in this field.
Tourism
Tourism is a low-paying industry, and not many positions in this field require a degree. It may be wise to consider alternative education paths, as degrees in this field may not provide a person with a significant advantage.
International Studies
International studies are a great way to open the mind to global insights, but they may not lead to well-paying jobs. Graduates will often work in government or academia and can experience varying levels of success. You may want to assess the return on investment before studying for this degree.
Psychology
This is a broad field of study, so it may require further study in a specialized area, especially for higher-paid jobs. Graduates can pursue various jobs, but they may find difficulty landing one if they don’t have a specialized area of study. It may be worth considering a minor or dual major in this field.
Sociology
Universities.com writes that a person usually needs a PhD to become a fully qualified sociologist. Those with a bachelor’s degree would have to apply for roles in social services, public policy, or education. There will also be limited job growth with this degree, and a graduate may face geographical issues.
History
This degree focuses on understanding historical events but offers limited career paths. While there are professional historian routes, these positions are limited and often require an advanced degree. It may be worth considering leveraging history in other fields, such as law or education, as there will be more opportunities.
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