The Harsh Reality: The 10 Worst-Paying College Majors Five Years After Graduation

Going to college is often seen as a pathway to success and financial stability. However, not all college majors are created equal when it comes to earning potential. In fact, some college majors have notoriously low salaries even five years after graduation. Here are the 10 worst-paying college majors based on data from the United States Department of Education.

Fine Arts Fine arts majors have the lowest median income five years after graduation at just $22,000 per year. This is likely due to the competitive nature of the field and the fact that many fine arts graduates pursue careers in the nonprofit sector.

Drama and Theater Arts Graduates with a degree in drama and theater arts earn a median income of $26,000 five years after graduation. This is due in part to the highly competitive nature of the industry and the fact that many positions in the field are part-time or freelance.

Music Music majors have a median income of $26,000 five years after graduation. This is largely due to the fact that many music-related jobs are part-time or require freelancing.

Anthropology and Archeology Anthropology and archeology graduates earn a median income of $28,000 five years after graduation. This is likely due to the limited job opportunities in the field and the fact that many positions require advanced degrees.

English Language and Literature English language and literature majors have a median income of $29,000 five years after graduation. While there are a variety of career paths available to English majors, many of them are low-paying and highly competitive.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities Graduates with a degree in liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities have a median income of $30,000 five years after graduation. This is largely due to the fact that these majors do not provide a clear career path and may not have specific job training.

Philosophy and Religious Studies Philosophy and religious studies majors earn a median income of $30,000 five years after graduation. This is likely due to the limited job opportunities in the field and the fact that many positions require advanced degrees.

Film, Video, and Photographic Arts Graduates with a degree in film, video, and photographic arts have a median income of $30,000 five years after graduation. This is largely due to the competitive nature of the field and the fact that many positions require freelancing.

Commercial Art and Graphic Design Commercial art and graphic design graduates earn a median income of $31,000 five years after graduation. While there are a variety of career paths available to art and design majors, many of them are low-paying and highly competitive.

History History majors have a median income of $32,000 five years after graduation. While there are a variety of career paths available to history majors, many of them are low-paying and highly competitive.

It's important to note that these median incomes are not absolute and can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and industry. However, it's clear that these majors tend to have lower earning potential than other majors.

So, what can students do to increase their earning potential? One option is to choose a major that has a high earning potential, such as engineering, computer science, or business. Another option is to pursue advanced degrees or certifications that can lead to higher-paying positions.

It's also important for students to research career paths and job prospects before choosing a major. While it's important to pursue your passions and interests, it's also important to be realistic about the earning potential and job opportunities in your field.

These 10 majors highlight the harsh reality that not all college majors lead to financial stability and success. However, it's important to remember that earning potential is not the only factor to consider when choosing a major. Pursuing a passion and finding fulfillment in one's career can also lead to a successful and fulfilling life.

Additionally, it's important for society to value and support careers in fields such as the arts and humanities, which may not have high earning potential but are still valuable and contribute to society in their own ways. It's also important for employers to provide fair wages and job opportunities for graduates in these fields.

The 10 worst-paying college majors five years after graduation serve as a reminder that choosing a major is a complex decision that requires careful consideration of factors such as personal interests, job prospects, and earning potential. While these majors may have lower earning potential, they still have value and contribute to society in meaningful ways. It's important for students to pursue their passions while also being realistic about their career prospects and financial stability. And as a society, we must value and support all career paths, regardless of earning potential.