The 10 Worst College Degrees in 2025

Welcome to the Real World, Scholar

College used to be a golden ticket. Now it’s more like a very expensive raffle where the prize is a cubicle and student loan debt until your 50s. Some degrees still deliver like engineering, computer science, and nursing but others proudly hold the title of worst college degrees in modern America.

While professors promise “critical thinking,” the real lesson many students learn is how interest compounds. So, for anyone about to declare a major in something that ends with “Studies,” here are the 10 worst college degrees in 2025 — a list of noble intentions and tragic paychecks.

#10. Psychology (Bachelor’s Only)

Ever wonder what a psychology major does after college? Usually… goes back to college. Without a master’s or Ph.D., that insight into the human mind mostly helps you understand your own financial anxiety. One of the worst college degrees if you stop at a bachelor’s.

According to EducationData.org, psychology degrees often underperform financially unless graduates pursue advanced study.

#9. Public Administration / Policy

Ah yes, the noble dream of “changing the system from the inside.” Unfortunately, the system pays about $48K a year and makes you fill out more forms than the DMV. A college degree with poor ROI if your goal is financial freedom instead of bureaucracy.

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce lists public administration and policy among the lower-earning social science majors nationwide.

#8. English / Literature / Creative Writing

If you love reading about broke poets, why not become one? Sure, you’ll write beautifully — cover letters, résumés, apology emails to landlords — but the job market doesn’t exactly crave “proficient in iambic pentameter.” Another entry in the worst college degree Hall of Fame.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 earnings report shows that English and literature majors consistently fall near the bottom in median income among degree holders.

#7. Liberal Arts & Humanities

You’ll learn a little about everything and make a lot of money doing… nothing directly related to it. It’s the degree equivalent of saying, “I’m still figuring it out.” Spoiler: So is your employer. Liberal Arts might build character, but it’s still a college degree with poor ROI.

In a long-term ROI analysis, EducationData.org found Liberal Arts & Humanities majors had a projected negative ROI of over 40% after 40 years.

#6. Fine Arts / Performing Arts

Follow your passion, they said. Starving is just part of the creative process, they didn’t say. Unless you’re the next Taylor Swift prepare for a lifetime of explaining to relatives that you’re a “freelance artist” (translation: unemployed). Beautiful souls and a terrible ROI make this one of the worst college degrees you can buy.

The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) identified Fine Arts programs as some of the most financially unprofitable degrees in the U.S.

#5. Sociology / Anthropology

The study of human behavior from the comfort of your parents’ basement. Jobs are scarce, and most require grad school. Ironically, sociology majors end up living real-time case studies on “postgraduate unemployment trends.” Add it to the worst college degree list for real-world irony.

Data from Business Insider (2025) shows anthropology has one of the highest unemployment rates among college majors at roughly 9%.

#4. Theology / Religious Studies

Great for the soul, not so great for the wallet. If your calling is divine, you’ll find spiritual fulfillment just not financial. God might provide, but He’s not covering your student loans. One of the worst college degrees for earning potential, though great for eternal salvation.

The Georgetown CEW report lists theology and religious studies among the lowest lifetime earnings fields nationwide.

#3. Family & Consumer Sciences / Human Ecology

Once known as “Home Economics,” this field now teaches people how to manage households in a world where no one can afford one. ROI studies show negative returns, proving that practicality doesn’t always pay. A true contender for worst college degree when it comes to payback.

According to EducationData.org, Family & Consumer Sciences ranks among the worst-performing majors for long-term ROI, with negative returns estimated near -39%.

#2. Early Childhood / Elementary Education

Shaping young minds is a beautiful thing but financially, it’s like trying to buy a Tesla on a tricycle budget. Teachers deserve better pay. Until then, this remains one of the college degrees with the poorest ROI and the deepest societal irony.

EducationData.org also found general education degrees to have the lowest ROI of all, averaging a negative 55% lifetime return when adjusted for cost.

#1. General Humanities

When your major’s name sounds like it’s apologizing for existing, that’s not a good sign. Humanities degrees offer broad “transferable skills,” which is code for “we have no idea where you’ll end up.” Likely somewhere between Starbucks and a non-profit internship. The undisputed worst college degree in 2025 — because self-awareness doesn’t pay rent.

The Hamilton Project data on career earnings by college major confirms that general humanities sits near the bottom in cumulative lifetime earnings potential.

The Brutal Truth

The issue isn’t intelligence, it’s economics. The world doesn’t always reward what’s intellectually enriching. It rewards what’s profitable. So if you’re paying $60,000 a year to learn about 14th-century poetry, make sure you’re also learning Excel.

A college degree with poor ROI isn’t worthless. It’s just a luxury purchase disguised as education. Remember that it’s not “useless” if it makes you happy… it’s just financially impractical.

Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, EducationData.org, FREOPP, and The Hamilton Project.