Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

What are some of the least successful college majors?

Hi folks, I'm sorting through potential college majors and I've seen some articles about the most successful majors. Would anyone happen to know which ones are considered the least successful, maybe based on job placement or salary? I know passion should guide my choice, but I'm keen on some practical insight too.

9 months ago

It's true some college majors historically lead to lower average starting salaries and employment rates than others, though the specific majors may vary depending on the source. Majors in the humanities and arts such as Poetry, Fine Arts, or Musical Theater tend to have lower average starting salaries compared to technical or quantitative majors such as Engineering, Computer Science, or Finance.

Additionally, some majors such as Anthropology or Sociology may face a higher degree of competition for relevant job positions, leading to a tougher job market for graduates.

However, it's important to consider more than just potential salary when choosing a major. It's essential to also consider your personal interests and aptitudes, as enthusiasm for your field can lead to higher performance and potentially boost your career prospects - even in a field that may not typically be associated with high earnings. For example, an Anthropology major with a passion for their studies could stand out above other candidates and find unique opportunities within their field that they wouldn't have found if they pursued a different major for the sake of greater earnings.

Furthermore, many softer majors can complement a technical skill set. For instance, Philosophy is often considered a low value major in terms of salary earnings, but it can be incredibly valuable for those seeking careers in law or ethical fields of technology such as AI.

Remember, college is not solely vocational training - it's also a time to explore intellectual pursuits and develop a wide-ranging skill set that can be applied to a variety of career paths!

In the end, it's important to find a balance between what you enjoy studying and what can give you the most viable career opportunities. It may help to minor in a subject you are passionate about, while majoring in something a bit more traditionally 'lucrative', or vice-versa.

9 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.