College is often viewed as a gateway to better job opportunities and higher lifetime earnings. However, not all degrees are created equal. Some fields of study may provide enriching educational experiences, but they fail to translate into stable or lucrative employment.
Whether due to oversaturation, lack of demand, or limited practical applications, certain degrees consistently rank low in terms of employability. Below are some of the worst degrees for employment based on the data and analysis of Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Anthropology
Anthropology majors face the highest unemployment among recent graduates, with a rate of 9.4% and underemployment hovering around 55% according to the New York Fed’s 2023‑based report.
Despite the academic allure of studying human cultures and societies, the practical job market offers limited entry-level opportunities for bachelor’s degree holders.
Most roles requiring such a degree, whether in research, academia, or museum work, demand graduate credentials.
As a result, many anthropology graduates struggle to find employment and are forced into unrelated or low-paid work, often waiting years before securing relevant positions.
Fine Arts
creative degree may fulfill artistic aspirations, but the job landscape is saturated. Many graduates end up freelancing or teaching elementary art classes without consistent financial stability.
The market for professional art is highly competitive, and most Fine Arts programs don’t directly prepare students for versatile jobs outside the niche, leaving many to scramble for employment.
Performing Arts
Performing arts degrees, covering theater, dance, and music, face an early-career median salary of just $39,000, with unemployment above 7.6% and underemployment near 64%.
Those who major in performing arts face fierce competition in a market often reliant on gigs, part-time roles, or supplemental teaching jobs.
Without striking it big, sustaining a living wage is exceptionally difficult. Even mid‑career earnings remain modest, reinforcing the high employment risk tied to this degree.
Sociology
Sociology graduates encounter a 6.7% unemployment rate and over 50% underemployment. Although the degree instills critical thinking and analytical skills, it is often too general and theory‑oriented for technical or field‑specific roles.
Graduates may enter social services, public policy, or nonprofit work, but many of these positions require advanced degrees or offer low starting pay.
The mismatch between academic training and labor market demand leads to a steadier presence of underemployed sociology majors.
Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Contrary to the expectation that STEM degrees guarantee employment, both computer engineering (7.5% unemployment) and computer science (6.1%) rank among the worst in unemployment rates.
These figures reflect oversaturation: while early-career salaries hover between $74,000 and $80,000, the market has cooled post‑pandemic with reduced tech hiring and layoffs.
Moreover, employers increasingly seek experienced professionals, not fresh graduates, leaving entry-level grads struggling against more seasoned competition.
Physics
Physics majors endure a 7.8% unemployment rate with approximately 35% underemployment, despite median mid‑career salaries near $100,000. The rigorous training in physics does not translate directly into many entry-level roles.
While the degree builds analytical capability, without a clear professional route, like engineering or data science, graduates frequently drift into unrelated, low‑paying jobs or pursue further study to remain competitive.
Public Policy and Law, and Liberal Arts
Public policy and law majors hold an unemployment rate of around 5.5%, with underemployment near 53%.
Liberal arts majors also experience 5.3% unemployment and nearly 57% underemployment. These degrees offer broad academic exposure but lack industry-specific skills.
Liberal arts graduates commonly shift into teaching or administrative roles, while public policy and law often necessitate graduate credentials or internships just to qualify for basic jobs. Entry wages are low, and advanced degrees are often the only path to viable careers.
Commercial Art and Graphic Design
Commercial art and graphic design majors encounter approximately 7.2% unemployment along with notable underemployment. Though there's ongoing demand for design roles, the field is saturated with graduates equipped with similar portfolios and skills.
Many work freelance or in unpaid internships, competing for a shrinking number of paid gigs. Without a highly specialized competency or network, graduates struggle to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace.
Conclusion
The New York Fed data paints a clear trend: degrees that lack strong vocational specificity, or fields oversupplied with graduates, tend to have worse labor-market outcomes.
Even high-earning professions like engineering and physics show notable entry-level unemployment due to market contraction and oversupply.
Meanwhile, creative, humanities, and social science fields often require additional qualifications or experience before offering stable employment.
