These are the 5 professions with the highest unemployment after college
Rising student debt and stagnant wages make the job market a tough place for recent grads, especially in some fields.
In the United States, college grads aren’t always working in the fields they studied. Can you believe that four out of ten end up in unrelated jobs, many of which don’t require a degree at all? This mismatch between education and employment, called underemployment, is a growing issue for young Americans. And considering the average annual cost of college sits around $35,000, it’s a painful reality.
The problem runs deeper than frustration. Taking a job outside your field often means lower pay than expected, with no chance to use those hard-earned skills from years of study. No wonder fewer than one in three Americans now believe a college degree is worth it, according to Strada Education Network.
But underemployment isn’t evenly spread across all degrees. Some majors lead straight to solid employment. Others, not so much.
The top five degrees with the worst job prospects
Recent data from Degreechoices, a higher education research group, shines a light on which degrees come with the highest chance of ending up in unrelated work after graduation.
- Criminal justice (71.5% underemployment rate) - This may come as a surprise. Despite growing conversations about law enforcement reform, most criminal justice grads aren’t working in roles tied to their field. Many find themselves in lower-wage service jobs instead.
- Performing arts (65.9%) - No shock here. The performing arts world has always been tough. For every actor on stage, there are countless others waiting tables or working retail to make ends meet.
- Art history (62.3%) - Unless you’re aiming for a niche role in museums or academia, an art history degree often lands you far from the gallery walls.
- Hospitality and recreation (57.6%) - While travel and leisure sound appealing, these industries are highly sensitive to economic downturns. Many grads here end up in roles with unstable hours and low pay.
- Liberal arts (56.7%) - A classic broad-strokes degree, but one that doesn’t always translate to a clear career path. Without a specific skill set, grads often drift into jobs that don’t require a degree.
*It’s worth noting that while arts courses may not always lead to you down that working route, there are other less tangible benefits to taking the degree.
Is college still worth it?
The real question, of course, is whether college remains the best bet for a secure career. The answer depends largely on the degree.
Fields like nursing (11.1% underemployment), computer engineering (13.3%), and civil engineering (15.9%) consistently offer better employment outcomes. Technical degrees, healthcare, and education tend to fare better, leaving grads with stronger job prospects.
But for others, the calculus is tougher. Spending $140,000 or more on a degree that leads to a job unrelated to your studies - or worse, one that pays less than you expected – can feel like a losing gamble.
If you’re heading to college, do your homework before committing. Look closely at job prospects in your chosen field. Talk to people working in those industries.
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