25 College Degrees That No Longer Guarantee a Good Job

Anthropology

Anthropology

Anthropology focuses on studying people, cultures, and history. While these topics are fascinating, the job market for anthropology graduates is tough. Many struggle to find work in their field, facing a high unemployment rate of 9.4%.

The skills learned in anthropology, like research and analysis, are valuable. But there are fewer jobs specifically for anthropologists. Graduates often have to look for work in unrelated areas like marketing or education.

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Physics

Physics

Physics graduates learn about the laws of the universe and solve complex problems. Even with these impressive skills, 7.8% of physics degree holders struggle to find jobs. The demand isn’t as high as many expect.

While some graduates work in labs or tech companies, others face stiff competition. Employers in physics-heavy roles often require advanced degrees, making it harder for those with just a bachelor’s degree to secure a good job.

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Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering

Computer engineering was once a go-to degree for job security. However, even in a tech-driven world, 7.5% of computer engineering graduates are unemployed. The field is now highly competitive, with more graduates than open positions.

Offshoring and automation have also reduced entry-level opportunities. Many companies prefer hiring candidates with years of experience, leaving recent grads in a challenging spot.

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Commercial Art & Graphic Design

Commercial Art & Graphic Design

Commercial art and graphic design degrees teach creativity and technical skills. Still, 7.2% of graduates can’t find steady work. The market is crowded, with many designers competing for freelance or full-time roles.

New software and tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) allow non-designers to create graphics, reducing demand for professionals. Those who do manage to land jobs often face lower pay than they had hoped for.

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Fine Arts

Fine Arts

Many people pursue fine arts degrees to follow their creative dreams. Unfortunately, these graduates face a 7.0% unemployment rate. Finding steady jobs in the art world is difficult, especially without connections or a strong portfolio.

Some fine arts graduates find work in education or galleries, but many take unrelated jobs to make ends meet. This degree often requires persistence and flexibility to build a stable career.

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Sociology

Sociology

Sociology explores how people and societies interact. While the topic is broad and interesting, 6.7% of sociology graduates are unemployed. Many struggle to find jobs directly tied to their degree, limiting career options.

Graduates often rely on jobs in unrelated fields like human resources, administration, or sales. Though sociology provides critical thinking and analytical skills, the lack of demand for sociologists in specialized roles creates a tough job market.

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Computer Science

Computer Science

Computer science covers programming, algorithms, and data structures. Still, 6.1% of computer science graduates are unemployed. This is surprising in a tech-driven age but reflects the field’s high level of competition.

More companies now seek employees with specific certifications or greater work experience. Even with strong skills, new graduates may find it tough to stand out in a crowded market. The rapid tech evolution also means outdated knowledge can limit opportunities.

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Chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry graduates study the substances and reactions that shape our world. Yet, 6.1% of them face unemployment. For those without advanced degrees, career paths within chemistry-related fields can be narrow and competitive.

Many chemistry graduates turn to industries like pharmaceuticals or manufacturing, but this requires specialized roles. Without a master’s or Ph.D., entry-level jobs may fall short of expectations, pushing some toward unrelated fields.

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Information Systems & Management

Information Systems & Management

Information systems and management degrees blend business with technology. Even so, 5.6% of graduates are unemployed. The field’s growth has slowed as more companies hire contract workers instead of full-time employees for IT-related roles.

Some graduates take jobs in tech support or administrative IT positions while aiming for career growth. Yet the need for further certifications or experience often delays landing long-term, high-paying roles in this sector.

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Public Policy & Law

Public Policy & Law

A degree in public policy and law can lead to roles in government or advocacy. However, 5.5% of graduates are unemployed. The public sector’s limited positions and slow hiring processes leave many struggling to gain employment.

Although the degree teaches valuable skills like policy analysis and legal reasoning, competition is intense. Graduates may have to look for work outside their field or in entry-level roles, which often don’t match their expectations.

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Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts

Liberal arts degrees cover a variety of subjects like history, literature, and philosophy. Although broad knowledge is useful, 5.3% of liberal arts graduates face unemployment, as many jobs require more specialized skills or training.

Graduates often look for roles in education, writing, or customer service. However, the versatility of the degree sometimes leaves employers unsure of a graduate’s specific expertise, making the job hunt more challenging for many.

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Technology Degrees

Technology Degrees

Various technology degrees focus on skills like coding, networking, and tech systems. Despite their relevance in today’s world, 5.0% of graduates in this field are unemployed due to high competition and rapidly changing industry needs.

Employers may look for specialized skills or updated certifications that some graduates lack. With technology evolving quickly, it’s important for degree holders to keep learning to stay competitive in the job market.

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International Affairs

International Affairs

International affairs involves understanding global politics and relations. While this degree is fascinating, 4.9% of graduates struggle to find steady work. Jobs in international organizations or diplomacy are limited, leaving many graduates vying for the same roles.

Those unable to enter global affairs may turn to domestic non-profits, teaching, or entry-level government jobs. Often, additional qualifications or internships are needed to stand out in this competitive field.

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English Language

English Language

English language degrees focus on communication, literature, and writing. Yet, 4.9% of graduates find themselves unemployed. The lack of direct career paths requires creativity when looking for roles that match their skills.

Graduates often work in teaching, publishing, or marketing, but jobs in these fields can be limited. Success may depend on building a strong portfolio or gaining additional certifications, such as in education or journalism.

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Economics

Economics

Economics degrees teach about markets, trends, and decision-making. Still, 4.9% of economics graduates face unemployment. Employers in business and finance often seek advanced degrees or specific internships, making it hard for some to get hired.

Although the degree provides strong analytical skills, many entry-level economics jobs are highly competitive. Graduates may need extra qualifications or work in related fields like data analysis or sales before advancing.

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Political Science

Political Science

Political science degrees focus on government, policy, and political systems. Still, 4.7% of graduates remain unemployed. Jobs in this field, such as political analysts or campaign workers, are competitive and often require advanced degrees.

Graduates sometimes turn to related fields like law, public administration, or consulting. However, finding a direct path from a political science degree to a stable career can be difficult without additional education or networking opportunities.

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Industrial Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering focuses on improving systems and processes in industries like manufacturing and logistics. However, 4.6% of graduates face unemployment, partly because companies often seek candidates with very specific technical skills and work experience.

While some graduates land roles in quality control or supply chain management, others may find limited entry-level opportunities. Internships and certifications are often necessary to stand out and secure better positions in this field.

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History

History

A history degree teaches research and critical thinking through the study of past events. Despite this, 4.6% of history graduates are unemployed. Jobs tied directly to history, such as museum curator or historian, are few and highly competitive.

Many graduates turn to teaching, publishing, or administrative roles. However, carving out a stable career with a history degree often requires earning advanced qualifications or finding creative ways to apply the skills learned.

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Communications

Communications

Communications degrees focus on public relations, media, and corporate messaging. Even so, 4.5% of graduates face unemployment due to an oversaturated market and a wide variety of non-degree holders competing for similar roles.

Graduates often pursue work in marketing, social media, or journalism. Success may depend on standing out with practical experience, such as internships or freelance projects, and mastering the latest trends in media strategy.

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Journalism

Journalism

Journalism teaches reporting, storytelling, and ethical communication. Yet, 4.4% of graduates are unemployed. The decline of traditional media outlets and competition from digital creators has made landing stable jobs more challenging in this field.

Some graduates switch to related careers in public relations or content creation. Others must develop strong portfolios and gain hands-on experience to improve their chances of success in a constantly evolving media landscape.

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Education

Education

Education degrees prepare students to teach and lead in schools. Yet, teachers face challenges like low pay, high stress, and burnout. These factors can make education degrees less appealing and limit dependable job security.

Job opportunities also vary by region, with some areas experiencing teacher shortages while others are oversaturated. Graduates may need to relocate or take less desirable roles, like substitute teaching, before finding stable, full-time positions.

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Psychology

Psychology

Psychology degrees focus on understanding the human mind and behavior. However, entry-level job options are often limited. Graduates pursuing psychology careers typically need advanced degrees, making it harder to land good jobs right after college.

Many psychology grads end up in unrelated fields, like sales or administration, while pursuing further education. The competitive nature of roles in mental health or research can make starting a career in this field challenging.

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Hospitality & Tourism

Hospitality & Tourism

Hospitality and tourism degrees prepare students for careers in hotels, travel, and events. However, economic shifts and pandemic-related changes have made this industry less dependable, leaving many graduates facing unstable or part-time work.

Roles in this field often have irregular hours and lower pay compared to other professional careers. Graduates may need to focus on building experience in hopes of eventually landing management roles for better job stability.

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Philosophy

Philosophy

Philosophy teaches critical thinking and reasoning, but finding related jobs can be hard. This degree does not have a direct career path, leaving many graduates to search for work in unrelated fields like customer service or sales.

While philosophy builds valuable skills, many roles in academia or research require advanced degrees. This can lead to added time and costs for students who aim to secure a stable career in their area of study.

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Social Work

Social Work

Social work degrees focus on helping people and communities. High workloads and emotional burnout make this field a challenging one. Many graduates also find that starting salaries are lower than expected, especially given the demands of the job.

Some graduates struggle to find full-time positions at first or end up working in roles outside the field. Additional certifications or licenses may be required, which creates extra hurdles for starting a stable career.

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