The Worst College Majors for Today's Job Market

• Starting salary: $43,700
• Midcareer salary: $86,400

Face it: The "Mad Men" era is long gone. While companies value good marketing skills, they may not be too impressed with an advertising degree nowadays.

It's not enough to learn about advertising and its history — the good and the bad. You have to have a keen eye for what sells, a near-limitless capacity to be creative and an ability to connect with target audiences.

The job market for marketing pros is an insanely competitive one, and employers are seeking candidates with a sophisticated and multidisciplinary skill set.

Instead, study: marketing or public relations.

Knowing little more than how to make print ads doesn't cut it in today’s market. Instead, creative professionals need to understand market research, account management and PR.

What advertising majors are saying

Don't major in advertising.

Read design books and study either business or data analysis instead.

Marketing professors are often the worst teachers of studying analytics. Their methods of teaching advertising are outdated and old fashioned.

Studying under the tutelage of old-school professors will NOT make you a good marketer.

Those that major in advertising or marketing seem to have the most trouble in the real world, especially since the work is so different from what they were taught in class.

| luvitall1

If you are going to work in the field of internet marketing, an advertising degree is useless. The only useful thing in this industry is fresh experience.

| lizaprokudina

• Starting salary: $38,300
• Midcareer salary: $63,000

Animal science focuses on the study of livestock. It's a degree that will prepare you to work on improving farming and breeding practices, to meet the needs of a hungry world.

Since agriculture is a trillion-dollar industry in the U.S., this major may seem like a good choice for a freshly minted college grad looking for secure work.

But the pay is relatively modest, and jobs are few. The U.S. had just 6,100 animal scientists in 2016, and that number is likely to grow to only 6,400 by 2026, says the BLS.

Instead, study: food science and nutrition.

So, you want a career that will make a difference at the dinner table? Studying more than just animals will give you wider options and potentially a better return on your investment.

What animal science majors are saying

If you want to be a veterinarian, I'd say forget majoring in animal science. I've heard that vet school is more competitive than med school, and not specializing in veterinary medicine makes your degree worth significantly less.

Anonymous

I used to think I wanted to work with animals for a living, so I went and got an Animal Science degree. Then I worked at a couple shelters and a kennel, and I realized that I'd rather do something more lucrative and have animals be a hobby.

I did end up going back to school and got a Masters in something else, which landed me in the tech field. I foster dogs as a side project.

Anonymous

• Starting salary: $39,500
• Midcareer salary: $52,700

Exercise science explores athleticism, personal training and the workings of the human body. Given the growth of the fitness and wellness industries, this major may seem like a sprint toward job security as a trainer.

But if you're a fitness buff, you may want to reconsider. Though demand for trainers is growing at a faster-than-average rate, the pay isn't very muscular.

And, you may have to work nights, weekends or holidays, the BLS points out.

Instead, study: physical or occupational therapy, or kinesiology (the science of movement).

An advanced degree or a more specialized course of study will offer more lucrative job prospects. But if personal training is your goal, skip the formal education. Personal training certification and on-the-job experience are enough to net you great opportunities.

What exercise science majors are saying

It is a stepping stone degree. If you want to get your Masters degree or attend medical school, it works just fine. As a stand-alone degree, though, it doesn't equate to a career very easily.

I'm in this major right now. I plan on using it to go to grad school for physical therapy.

| uconntm264

As someone who majored in exercise science, here's the advice I can offer:

• Your career trajectory will be non-linear.
• The internships you do and the people you impress mean WAY more than your degree.
• The stuff you learn in school means next to nothing in the real world.
• It's a grind.

| heykiditscox

• Starting salary: $42,900
• Midcareer salary: $72,500

Fashion merchandisers work with brands to develop marketing campaigns, create dynamic displays in stores and manage clothing buying cycles.

The goal is to maximize sales by understanding what the consumer wants and needs. It certainly doesn't hurt if you have a great appreciation for fashion.

Unfortunately, job prospects are looking a little threadbare. If you choose fashion merchandising as your major, expect to face fierce competition, years of measly compensation, and difficulty transferring your know-how to something else.

Instead, study: fashion business.

If your love of fashion is undeniable, consider focusing on the business side of the industry. Design houses need marketing managers, trends forecasters, supply managers and even finance people, and those jobs can offer more security and upward mobility.

What fashion merchandising majors are saying

Hi, current fashion merchandiser here.

If you study fashion merchandising, it is worth it to do business school if possible, and you basically have to live in Los Angeles or New York City to get a job. If you relocate there, there are so many more opportunities. If you intern in either city, it will be very easy to get your foot in the door.

I work in merchandise planning in New York City. It was a grind and I definitely wouldn't be in my position if I hadn't relocated. There are definitely opportunities in fashion, as long as you work in a big city and make good connections. Fashion is a VERY small world.

| altenveetee

• Starting salary: $41,700
• Midcareer salary: $63,800

Though you may feel a calling to spend your days poring over spiritual texts, religious studies is one of those majors where there are few job prospects other than to become a professor in that field.

You may not be able to do much with a religious studies degree outside of academia. That said, even the academic jobs are sparse.

Positions for religion teachers at colleges and universities grew by just 0.8% from 2017 to 2018, about half the rate of overall job growth, according to BLS data.

Instead, study: criminology, business administration or English as part of a double major with religious studies.

Diversifying your knowledge will open more doors and offer you more job flexibility. You’ll learn critical thinking, how to interpret difficult texts, and other skills that you will make you more marketable in the nonacademic job market.

What religious studies majors are saying

I majored in religious studies.

I worked in a homeless shelter for a year and a half after college, and after that I moved to Korea to teach English.

Both of which "have to do with" religious studies, but not as far as the people who hired me are concerned. Having a bachelor’s in religious studies improves your economic situation in only two, VERY minimal ways: it allows you to pursue a Masters degree, and it at least proves you're capable of completing a degree.

But as far as the vast majority of employers are concerned, a Religious Studies major is equivalent to someone with a high school education.

| lordgloom

• Starting salary: $40,500
• Midcareer salary: $66,000

When you major in hospitality and tourism, you learn the ins and outs of working at a travel agency or behind the desk at a hotel.

But travel agent jobs have been disappearing thanks to the popularity of Expedia, Kayak and other booking websites. By 2026, there will be 12% fewer agents than there were in 2016, says the BLS.

To land work as a hotel clerk, all it takes is a high school diploma. Having a formal degree in hospitality and tourism rarely brings any bump in the usual pay for desk clerks, who earn a median of $25,000 a year.

Instead, study: hotel management.

Hotel managers earn far more than clerks, and you'll pick up skills that are transferable to other managerial roles. Alternatively, you could major in economics with a specialization in travel, which would give you even more options.

What hospitality and tourism majors are saying

I have a degree in hospitality.

Honestly, I didn’t learn much in the classroom that I didn’t learn from the on-the-job experience (e.g. roles in guest services, housekeeping, administration, food and beverage, accounting, inventory, sales, management and so on).

So many places require that you have both a degree and experience. I think I would have been better off now (12 years after completing my degree) getting a standard business/sales/marketing degree so I would have more job openings available for me.

I’m trying to leave the hospitality field now and I have buckets of experience, but the degree doesn’t back it up, according to most job postings.

| delicatefnflower

• Starting salary: $43,800
• Midcareer salary: $80,500

Fashion design requires a unique combination of artistic ability and practical sewing skills. But having a passion for fashion isn’t enough — you also need raw design talent, which is something they can’t teach you at school.

Furthermore, the fashion world is notoriously competitive, and getting a job in this field is based largely on who you know, not what you know.

Plus, much of the fashion industry is concentrated in New York and Los Angeles. So even if you do manage to land a job, you may have to make ends meet in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Instead, study: fashion business.

As with fashion merchandising, plenty of other avenues into the fashion world — including jobs in trends forecasting and supply management — are just as fulfilling as fashion design. And, they can be even more enriching, financially speaking.

What fashion design majors are saying

So you want to be a fashion designer? It's fairly easy. All you need are three things:

A) Rich parents

B) A deep well of raw talent

C) A network of high profile connections

My friend majored in fashion design and now works at a chicken wings restaurant.

| Anonymous

I knew someone who graduated with a degree in fashion design. It was her passion. I met her in college as she was getting a second degree in biology since she could not find a job with a degree in fashion design.

I say you should major in something else and do fashion design as a hobby.

| sirsin

• Starting salary: $40,400
• Midcareer salary: $54,100

Paralegals are skilled law professionals who often do a lot of grunt work for lawyers and associates. They read through old case studies, prepare affidavits, organize efficient filing systems and help attorneys prepare for trials.

But they don’t need a four-year degree to enter their field. All it takes is an associate degree or paralegal certification to become a paralegal. In some cases, a talented legal secretary may even be promoted to a paralegal position.

Pursuing paralegal or pre-law studies can be a surefire way to pigeonhole your skills and limit your marketability as a job candidate.

Instead, study: criminology or philosophy.

If you're set on reaching law school, consider any other undergrad degree besides pre-law. Philosophy or criminology will help you hone your writing, logic and debate skills and show you how to interpret complex texts and concepts.

What are paralegal studies majors saying

Certain firms prefer four year degrees, certain firms prefer certificates and certain firms prefer both. Some states require certificates and some states don't.

At the smaller firms in New York City I've met paralegals with decades of experience who got the job out of high school. In California, there are strict requirements about certification, but most don't require a four year year degree.

Whether or not a certificate is a good idea or a four year degree is a good idea depends on what kind of work you want to do, where you are or where you want to be, and what kind of expenditure you'd have to go through to get either.

| paratactical

• Starting salary: $42,900
• Midcareer salary: $66,300

While many people unfairly dunk on liberal arts degrees, art history may be most deserving of derision.

That’s because art history is a very niche field that offers few prospects outside of academic employment and very little in the way of transferable skills.

Jobs in art curation or restoration require education at the master's or even doctorate level, and even then, the competition is fierce.

Instead, study: English or classics, and minor in art history.

Just because an art history major may not be the idea, that doesn’t mean you have to enroll in the nearest STEM program. Go ahead and study arts and humanities, but make sure you gain a breadth of transferable skills that can apply to a host of other industries.

What art history majors are saying

Do I regret studying art history at school?

Yes and no.

I like what I learned while obtaining my art history degree, but now I’m in nursing school. Art had to remain a hobby so that I could pursue a career that will let me be successful wherever I end up. Art is not as kind, vocationally.

But because I got an arts degree, I had to start all over. I had to take a lot of science prerequisites before even applying to a nursing program, which set me back about a year. Despite it all, the harder path has been more worth it than my easy art history degree.

| bonmeow

• Starting salary: $39,400
• Midcareer salary: $60,500

Fine arts majors face an unemployment rate after graduation of 5.6% and a staggering 58.4% rate of underemployment — in low-paying or low-skill jobs — according to census data reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

It’s pretty dismal, especially when you consider that annual tuition and fees at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design cost nearly $53,000. For perspective, that's about $1,000 more than Harvard.

You'd need to be making $250,000 a year by midcareer to get a good return on your art school investment. Are you prepared to deal with years of hefty student loan payments?

Instead, study: marketing or biology.

An art degree can leave you with little in the way of transferable skills. A marketing degree might be more useful, even if you’re just marketing your own artwork. A biology degree could open the door to a high-paying job as a medical illustrator.

What art majors are saying

I regret going to art school.

All my life, people told me I should pursue art as a career. I always enjoyed art. I loved to create. People loved everything I did.

Then I went to college for art, and I regret that decision. It's made me so cynical of my own art, and it's robbed me of the freedom I once had in making it. I don't enjoy drawing anymore, and I don't even make anything. I understand art professors need to give you constructive criticism, but over the years, all the "Fix-This"'s and critiques have just broken me down. I don't know if I'll ever enjoy making art again.

| arttrumpet96

• Starting salary: $37,300
• Midcareer salary: $60,200

Those bitten by the acting bug, beware: You may love performing, but majoring in theater can seriously limit your job and pay prospects. Opportunities are slim, and you may never get that big break.

Even if you do manage to eke out a career in performance, you have to be comfortable with unemployment between gigs and unstable job prospects. Many theater grads end up in office work or retail.

The salary comparison site PayScale puts musical theater near the bottom of a list of 403 degrees ranked for pay, and says only 40% of those grads believe their work makes the world a better place.

Instead, study: business administration, political science or education.

The ability to speak well, memorize a lot of text and learn new information on the fly will serve you well in business, politics and even teaching. Consider a degree in one of those fields while keeping performance as a side gig.

What theater majors are saying

I majored in theater arts and now am working in a library while getting my library science Master’s degree.

If you're serious about a career in theater, you need to know how much hard work it is.

You're constantly applying for jobs, and you're unlikely to make much money as an actor. I burned out less than two years after graduating, and am way happier working in a library.

I strongly recommend double-majoring in theater and anything else that can get you a decent job outside of theater (for example, business/administration is a safe bet, since larger theaters have jobs in that area too).

| evyearthling

• Starting salary: $41,700
• Midcareer salary: $63,500

Ever hear of a graphic designer who’s a self-made millionaire? There's a joke that goes: What’s the best way to make $1 million as a graphic designer?

Start with $2 million.

Despite the boom in digital media, you may find that studying graphic design is similar to other arts majors: It'll enrich your life, but not necessarily your bank account.

Instead, study: computer science or human-computer interaction.

If you’re inclined towards the arts, computer science may seem like a total 180 move. But companies developing cool new digital products are looking for user-experience and user-interface (UX/UI) designers — jobs that pay more than $90,000 a year, on average, says Glassdoor.

What graphic design majors are saying

Hey, former graphic design major here.

There's nothing wrong with pursuing graphic design as a career, as long as you know what you're getting into.

It can be very hard to find steady, full time work, much less work that is fulfilling.

I studied graphic design and graduated in 2009 into a terrible economy. I ended up making more money nannying and teaching swimming lessons than I ever did as a freelance graphic designer.

I gave up graphic design when I was 26 and found a new career path that I love and I keep art as a hobby.

I'm still in the process of paying off that degree though.

| ihatespunk

• Starting salary: $39,200
• Midcareer salary: $58,800

Love to whip up interesting concoctions in the kitchen? If you think you might like to turn pro as a chef, you may have your eye on a culinary arts degree.

But culinary schools can’t teach you two things you'll need to succeed: talent and a strong work ethic. It may be smarter to start by working as a line cook, to build up experience and contacts, rather than saddling yourself with a mountain of school debt.

Chefs with culinary arts degrees earn only 2% to 11% more than their peers whose formal schooling ended at high school, says a report from Eater.

Instead, study: finance or business administration.

If you see yourself opening your own restaurant one day, you'll want to develop a knowledge of finance. You'll find that accounting and bookkeeping skills are important parts of the recipe for restaurant success.

What culinary arts majors are saying

Not sure what you are looking to do with a bachelor's degree in culinary arts. Most chef jobs, even at fancy restaurants, only require a cooking certificate.

With a bachelor's degree in culinary arts, you'll learn to prepare food, plan menus, manage beverages and apply nutrition applications. From what I have been told, though, it's better to get this information from hands-on training. Some basic school knowledge is good to know, but it can't be the only recourse you have if you want any kind of long-term job prospects.

I would suggest you get a bachelor's degree in business, or a degree you can fall back on.

• Starting salary: $39,600
• Midcareer salary: $64,400

Traditional broadcasting is fading out. Opportunities in radio, local TV and cable are scarcer than they used to be, and not as lucrative.

Job security in this field is eroding faster than you can say, “Good morning, Vietnam!”

Mass media degrees have the highest unemployment rate of all majors: 7.8%, according to the New York Fed report mentioned earlier. And, more than 55% of graduates are underemployed, in jobs not worthy of their skills and talents.

Instead, study: marketing.

Though today's media consumers may opt for Spotify over conventional radio, good writers and people who can communicate well are still in high demand. Study marketing alongside broadcast or digital media, to learn skills better adapted to the 21st century.

What radio and television majors are saying

I majored in broadcasting.

After college, I went into television. I mainly work in news because of the "job security" (I currently don't have a shift for two weeks. I've actually been job hunting for something part time so I can pay my bills).

The pay is not great. Salaries usually start at $40,000 and reach a ceiling of $60,000, unless you're a news anchor.

The job skills do not transfer well into other jobs. No one cares that I've been a technical director for five years.

Overall, I feel like broadcasting was a horrible degree choice. I'm looking at going back to school for a degree in computer science.

| ouronlyplanb

• Starting salary: $41,200
• Midcareer salary: $61,700

That smartphone in your pocket is one reason Kiplinger has named this degree the worst on its list. The cameras in today's phones can allow anyone to take professional-quality photos.

You don't need a photography degree to become a photographer, but if you want to make a living at it, expect not-so-great pay and tough competition in a dwindling field.

By 2026, the U.S. will have more than 8,000 fewer photographer jobs than there were in 2016, says the BLS.

Instead, study:: business adminstration, marketing.

While a photography degree may teach you artistic concepts, you'll need to market yourself if you want to do more than just upload perfect shots on Instagram. Learning to be a savvy business person is vital if your goals include starting your own photography studio.

What photography majors are saying

A photography degree is a fun add-on that you can have on your resume, but as a stand alone degree, it's pretty worthless without any background work. In the United States particularly, tuition for arts schools are upwards of five figures per year. If you can't land a job as a photographer, it's a complete waste of money.

I would rather suggest you get a degree which can be useful in the job market, pursue photography as a passion, then get some sort of photography certificate and expand your network while you are at it. Jump into photography full time when the time and money is right.

| samba19701

The Best College Majors for Today's Economy

We've taken you through the worst college majors — so it's only fair that we share the majors best suited for today's economy.

For students who are uncertain about their career path, here are seven great college majors that provide a solid education and — plenty of opportunities.

1. Accounting

Every business needs someone qualified to keep track of important financial information. Accountants fill this need — and more.

A degree in accounting can provide opportunities in a wide variety of industries. Accounting is considered the language of business, so graduates leave school with a very broad understanding of the professional world.

Many choose to earn licenses as certified public accountants (CPAs) and decide to start their own businesses, often helping people and companies with their taxes.

Other grads in this field pursue work in consulting, or obtain MBA degrees. Accounting is a major that can lead to many possible paths, but it requires proficiency with numbers, spreadsheets and Microsoft Excel.

Similar to accounting, finance is a business subject that involves numbers and has real-world applications.

Finance, as a basic definition, is the study of money and capital in the corporate world. While accounting handles transactions, finance is concerned with funding and investing for individuals, firms or nations.

It can be a rigorous and challenging major, but it carries much credibility in the business world. It is not uncommon for many students to begin earning upwards of six figures upon graduation from a top-ranked program.

After a few years of working in the field, many finance majors decide to pursue an MBA degree to further advance their careers.

3. Management

Do you like to be in charge? Do you enjoy bossing people around? Management might be a great major for you.

This area of study within the business realm involves work operations, strategy, leadership and marketing.

It also touches on a variety of liberal arts areas such as philosophy, ethics, psychology and human behavior.

It's a great option if you want to study business but are somewhat hesitant about the more math-heavy areas like finance, accounting or economics. And it's perfect if you think you can lead, and believe others will follow you.

Engineering has many different specializations and applications, from electrical and mechanical, to aerospace, petroleum and public works.

The common thread is that you use technology and calculations to invent structures for public or private use. Engineers seek to solve problems and complete tasks in the most efficient and effective way possible.

The studies require heavy doses of math and science courses, including calculus, physics and statistics.

Engineering provides numerous and varied career opportunities that pay well. So, if you've got a good head for figuring things out and are eager to enter the workforce and get going, you should consider this major.

5. Health science

If you want to work in the medical field but aren't exactly sure how, a health science major will prepare you for any of a number of jobs.

An ability to understand and solve problems will be essential for success, along with a dedication and desire to do well.

But here's something you'll want to know, stat: It's a very demanding course of study. You'll need to take several challenging rounds of classes in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology.

You might enter college feeling certain you want to pursue a career in medicine or nursing. But majoring in health science may open your eyes to other careers in health care.

Yes, there really is a science behind today's very noisy and combustible politics.

A political science major helps develop abilities in critical thinking and logical reasoning, which are often cited as two of the most desirable skills to employers in the current economy.

While reading, debating and researching information, political science students learn about the current events, policies and governments of the United States and other nations.

Poli-sci is a common choice for future lawyers and, obviously, politicians. But the major expands minds and teaches how to communicate, research and present complex information — skills that can benefit any career path.

7. Communications

Jobs in digital media have taken off dramatically, and many other types of businesses value graduates who know about creating content, advertising or social media. Communications allows you to gain experience in these areas.

Consider a major in communications if you enjoy blogging, are adept at social media, and pride yourself on staying up-to-date with technology. Work in digital content or with a public relations firm might be lucrative options after graduation.

Students will want to pair education in the classroom with internships, to build connections and gain hands-on experience — which are must-haves in today's very competitive media fields.

A communications career will really take off when a degree is coupled with practical skills, experience and industry connections.

An exciting time

College life can be an exciting time filled with new opportunities for personal and professional growth, but many students become stressed out trying to decide on a career path and major.

They arrive on campus not entirely sure which route they want to take. What they find is that many majors will allow them to score good jobs without sacrificing their personal interests and passions.

Majors in finance, management, accounting, politics, health, communications and engineering all offer interesting courses of study on the way to a wide variety of great careers.