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)

Most Useless Degree?

I know this might be a controversial question, but I'm genuinely curious. What, in your opinion, is considered the most 'useless' college degree?

9 months ago

That's certainly a provocative question! But it's important to view it from a balanced perspective. There truly isn't a "useless" degree: what's crucial is how you, as a student, leverage and apply what you learned from your degree. A university degree can provide critical knowledge, skills, and experiences, no matter the major.

People may, unfortunately, label degrees such as Philosophy, Art History, or Women's Studies as "useless" due to stereotypes or misconceptions about job market outcomes. However, it's essential to recognize that these disciplines can provide skills such as critical thinking, communication, and empathy, which are highly sought after by employers across various sectors. For instance, philosophy majors often go on to excel in fields like law, business, and academia.

Let's take another example: majors within the arts, such as Art History and Theater, can lead to fulfilling careers within museums, archives, theatrical production companies, and more. In fact, employment of arts and design occupations is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

My point is, the usability of college degrees can be contingent upon numerous factors including personal interests, career goals, and the skills you acquire during your studies. It's up to you to find ways to exploit these to your advantage in the job market. What's considered a "useless" degree for one person could be a treasure trove of opportunities for another. It all comes down to what you intend to do with the degree and how you make it work for you.

To sum up, invest time in discovering your interests and abilities, and choose a field that you're passionate about while evaluating how it will equip you for your future career path. Make sure your decision isn't influenced by stereotypes or misconceptions. Instead, research extensively and weigh your options thoroughly before making a choice.

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.