Most Useless College Degrees

What exactly do we mean when we say most useless college degrees? When there is a low job rate, a high debt, a lack of prospects, and a waste of time, a degree is deemed useless.

Students starting college have several degrees and job paths to select from. When deciding on a major, it’s critical to assess which degrees are guaranteed to bring you a job and others are which are utterly useless.

In this article, we will give you a rundown of the most useless college degrees

Most Useless College Degrees

1. Advertising

If you major in advertising, you could want to work in digital marketing, e-commerce, or sports marketing. However, many advertising students are unaware that to secure a highly competitive job in one of these fields, their degree must be directly in that field.

Advertising students learn how to market and sell products using media venues such as social media, television, and bulletin boards. They also study which parts of advertising, such as color and design, appeal to individuals. This education provides few job options after graduation. Those with an advertising degree can find work with advertising firms, but there are few employers who will hire them otherwise.

2. Anthropology and Archeology

A degree in anthropology and archeology may sound appealing if you enjoy history, travel, and being outside. However, unless you’re willing to invest time and money in obtaining a Ph.D. in the field, as well as years as an underpaid intern or research assistant, this career path is probably not for you.

Anthropology is the study of people and their civilizations, whereas archeology is the excavation-based study of human history.

Those who earn a degree in anthropology and archeology may wish to work on a historical dig site or, at the very least, at a museum researching the findings. These positions are few and few between.

While a distinguished doctorate from Harvard or Yale may land you a job at an excavation site, the majority of degrees are unlikely to get you out of your backyard.

Those who cannot advance in this sector may look elsewhere, but they will have difficulty finding work.

3. Art history

Students that study art history are passionate about art and design. Those who want a degree in art history study art composition classes and various classes on the history of the art throughout history.

It isn’t easy to create a career out of an art degree. Those that graduate have a plethora of information about art over the centuries, but they are having difficulty finding jobs that allow them to put this knowledge to use.

Some people get jobs in art museums and go on to become art appraisers, although this is one of the most difficult fields to break into. Most art galleries want to see a comprehensive resume with plenty of experience.

Those who graduate and cannot find employment in the field of art are forced to look elsewhere. Their restricting degree, on the other hand, does not offer them many possibilities.

4. Communications

Majors in communication study the science of communication. They learn how to make communication more accessible to everyone while also encouraging effective communication.

Because communications is such a vast field, there is no specific concentration of the degree. While this may appear to be beneficial, it really makes finding a job after college more challenging.

5. Computer Science

A degree in computer science may appear to set you on the path to a successful profession after graduation. However, computer science, like many other useless academic degrees discussed above, is difficult to put to use once you graduate.

This is because a general computer science degree, like a communications degree, is wide.

Some students major in computer science with the intention of working in coding, information technology, or cybersecurity. However, many job choices have specific programs that appear much better on a résumé.

6. Creative Writing

Creative writers have skills that are highly sought after by individuals who go on to produce short stories and novels. Their education, on the other hand, is limited and specific.

Students pursuing a creative writing major learn how to tell a tale with vivid words and write poetry, as well as the professional writing process.

Even if you have a creative writing degree and become a good writer, you will not be able to make ends meet unless you publish a blockbuster novel or children’s story.

To work as a freelance writer for a newspaper or other news organization, you need to study journalism or linguistics.

Thus, in the end, creative writer degree holders are left with excellent writing abilities but no work.

If you’re interested in creative writing and want to write a book someday, consider concentrating in a related profession such as journalism and taking some creative writing classes on the side. This will increase your employability after graduation and provide you with a consistent income while you write a novel on the side.

7. Criminal Justice

Many students are inspired to pursue a career in criminal justice after seeing TV episodes and movies such as NCIS or Criminal Minds. Actors make positions like detectives and special agents appear appealing and enjoyable. However, the truth of jobs like these is that they are not only dangerous but also scarce.

Many criminal justice majors will spend a significant amount of time after graduation looking for a rare desk job for which they are qualified.

They could end up working as paper pushers for their city or state of residence. Others may go on to further their education or training in order to pursue a profession as a police officer, lawyer, or foster care worker.

If you want to work in criminal justice, make sure you first examine what profession you want before choosing if it’s the right career route for you.

8. Culinary arts

Culinary arts may educate students on cooking and showing their cuisine, but it does not teach them many other skills.

If you want to work as a cook or chef after college, a degree will appear excellent on your resume, but any other career will consider your training obsolete.

This is because culinary students receive little instruction in transferable skills such as business or health-related information.

Culinary students learn how to chop vegetables, blend spices, and boil potatoes, but they do not gain transferable skills. As a result, many students who earn a culinary arts degree find themselves unemployed but well-fed after graduation.

If you’re serious about becoming a chef, you’re probably better off attending a culinary school or trade school to get your education rather than a college or university. This allows you to receive more specialized training in your profession while saving you time and money.

9. Education

At first glance, this may appear to be a very helpful degree. However, many people who enter the field quickly discover that this isn’t as valuable as it sounds.

Majors in education must declare a specialty, such as early childhood, special education, or secondary education. Some of those who do this must obtain a master’s degree in order to practice in their profession.

Those who pursue a general education degree may find it useless after graduation. They won’t be accepted into a preschool because they aren’t certified in early childhood education. They will not be accepted into special education since they do not have the necessary certificates or endorsements.

If you’re considering becoming an education major, think about what kind of education you want to pursue and declare your specialty. You should be aware that you may need to obtain a master’s degree or additional training and endorsements in order to practice.

Furthermore, education majors are often required to complete rigorous placements at schools of their choice in order to get student teaching experience. Only when all of these channels have been finished can an education major expect to find work.

10. Entrepreneurship

A degree in entrepreneurship may sound appealing to those who want to start their firm eventually. However, the degree is one of the most useless college degrees.

This is because students can obtain all of the education they desire, but without hands-on business experience, their education will be meaningless.

To be successful in starting a firm, you must have a complete working knowledge of business gained through years of experience.

Many successful entrepreneurs have a business degree and have spent years learning before starting their own business in the real world. Some may decide to return to school later to obtain a degree in entrepreneurship, but others may only take a few classes.

An entrepreneurial degree, on the other hand, leaves the student unsure of where to go next. Those interested in entrepreneurship should first gain experience.

Best Degrees to Get

Suppose you’re having trouble deciding which degree to pursue at university. In that case, it can be useful to discover more about which degrees will be the most advantageous to you when you graduate.

Below are some of the best degrees you should consider:

1. Aeronautics and Astronautics

Aeronautics and Astronautics courses delve into the science behind the study, design, and construction of aircraft, race cars, satellites, and rockets. The degree will examine how they operate in both our atmosphere and space.

Aeronautical/astronautical engineers, researchers, designers, and technicians are common job paths for Aeronautics and Astronautics graduates.

Starting salaries for Aeronautics and Astronautics graduates is about US$73,100, rising to an average of US$131,600 later in their careers.

2. Pharmacy

The science of preparing, dispensing, and reviewing medications, as well as delivering related healthcare services, is known as pharmacy.

Pharmacy students will study pharmaceutical chemistry and medical science in depth, which will provide them with good professional opportunities following graduation.

Community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists, pharmacologists, and research scientists are typical employment for someone with a pharmacy degree.

Salaries for young pharmacy graduates begin at around $79,600, rising to a much higher $132,500 after 10 years.

3. Business Analysis

Business degrees are well renowned for being in great demand in a variety of industries.

Business analysis graduates frequently have great mathematics and data analytic abilities, making them ideal for employment in accounting, finance, or consulting, as well as a variety of other business-related fields.

Business analysis graduates frequently enter well-paying occupations, with starting salaries of roughly US$57,200 and rising to $133,200.

4. Electrical Power Engineering

Electrical power engineering graduates, like any engineering graduate, have excellent employment prospects.

With the recent emphasis on climate change, there is an even greater urgency to shift toward renewable energy sources, resulting in stronger demand for electrical power engineering graduates.

Electrical power engineering graduates will graduate with good technical knowledge, strong numeracy and IT skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Graduates earn a starting salary of $72,400, rising to $134,700 after ten years.

5. Actuarial Mathematics

Actuarial mathematics degrees integrate mathematical, statistical, financial, and economic theory to tackle business problems like risk, uncertainty, and the financial impact of unforeseen events, providing them with excellent professional opportunities.

Graduates may pursue occupations such as risk analysts, chartered accountants, audit analysts, and statisticians.

Graduates earn high incomes ranging from $57,600 for less than five years of experience to $136,200 for graduates with more than five years of experience.

Most Common College Majors

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 2 million bachelor’s degrees were awarded in the United States in 2018-19. More than half of these degrees were focused on just six areas of study.

Well, let’s examine these areas of study:

1. Business

Undergraduate degrees in business are among the most popular in the United States. In 2018-19, nearly one in every five bachelor’s degrees, or 390,600, were given in business.

Business programs investigate key business principles and practices that allow businesses to operate efficiently. Business majors frequently study transdisciplinary themes to acquire excellent communication, leadership, and critical thinking abilities.

2. Health Professions

The demand for health professionals is expected to rise as the population ages and individuals become more reliant on healthcare.

This demand could explain why health-related disciplines are among the most popular. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, universities awarded 251,400 bachelor’s degrees in health professions and related areas in 2018-19, accounting for 12% of all bachelor’s degrees.

Each healthcare job path necessitates a unique set of training and coursework. Almost all healthcare programs address fundamental concepts such as wellness, anatomy, and physiology.

3. Social Sciences and History

More students are majoring in social sciences to fulfill the growing demand for specialists in the life, physical, and social sciences.

According to NCES data, colleges awarded 160,600 degrees in social sciences and history in 2018-19. This means that approximately one in every ten students majored in social science.

Undergraduate social sciences coursework is typically interdisciplinary, covering disciplines such as economics, sociology, and history.

4. Engineering

Engineers are expected to be in more demand as the market for renewable energy and other alternative energy sources grows.

In 2018-19, over 126,700 students received a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

While primary coursework differs based on the type of engineering, all programs help students build abilities in project management, graphical communication, and problem-solving.

5. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

In 2018-19, colleges in the United States awarded 121,200 bachelor’s degrees in biological and biomedical sciences. This amount reflects a 35% rise from 2010-11 when 89,980 degrees were awarded.

Many biology-related jobs offer excellent income potential and advancement, which may explain why this profession is so popular.

Undergraduate biology programs cover a wide range of topics, including ecology, cell biology, and genetics.

6. Psychology

As the number of people suffering from mental illnesses climbs, more are seeking assistance from psychologists.

Colleges awarded 116,500 bachelor’s degrees in psychology in 2018-19, accounting for 6% of all bachelor’s degrees awarded that year.

The majority of the psychology curriculum focuses on research methodologies, statistical analysis, and cognitive processes.

7. Communication and Journalism

A major in communication or journalism teaches students marketable skills such as writing, editing, and critical thinking.

Approximately 92,500 students obtained a bachelor’s degree in communication or journalism in 2018-19.

Students in both subjects are prepared for employment in business, marketing, and writing.

Undergraduate journalism classes are aimed to help students improve their reporting and writing skills. Students study a number of media-related topics, including modern journalism theories, media law and ethics, and narrative.

Hardest College Majors

Before we go into the hardest college majors, let’s define what makes a major difficult.

Terming a major difficult is subjective. This is because what is tough for one student may be completely natural for the next.

If you’re not very skilled at a subject and don’t have a strong enthusiasm or interest in it, that major will be more difficult for you.

In contrast, if you are exceptionally competent in a subject and are committed to studying it, you will most likely find that major easier than other fields in which you have less expertise and are less motivated.

What are the criteria for terming a major ‘hard?’ Most studies focus on a single crucial factor: the amount of time students spend preparing for classes in their major (s).

The more time students spend on homework and studying for exams for their major subjects, the more difficult that major is perceived to be.

Well, below are some majors considered hard based on the amount of time spent

1. Chemistry

Each week, chemistry majors spend roughly two and a half hours every day preparing for class.

These students investigate the function, composition, and behavior of matter, as well as the interactions between different types of matter.

2. Neuroscience

Neuroscience majors prepare for class for 18 hours per week, which is significantly higher than chemistry majors.

This academic discipline focuses on the human nervous system, including its development, structure, and role, with a particular emphasis on the brain and its cognitive qualities.

3. Mechanical Engineering

Students spend 18.11 hours per week preparing for class. As an academic discipline, mechanical engineering comprises the design, production, manufacturing, and analysis of mechanical systems—or, more broadly, anything in motion.

4. Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering majors study and perform homework for around 18 hours and 24 minutes every week.

Students in this engineering degree learn everything there is to know about the extraction and production of oil and natural gas.

5. Bioengineering

Students pursuing this major devote about 18 and a half hours per week to course preparation.

Bioengineering, often known as biological engineering, combines biological and engineering concepts to generate useable goods such as medical devices and diagnostic equipment.

6. Biochemistry or Biophysics

Biochemistry or biophysics majors spend an average of 18 and a half hours spent each week preparing for class.

Students majoring in biochemistry, often known as biological chemistry, study the chemical processes and chemicals found in living things.

Biophysics is similar in that it employs the fundamental principles of physics to investigate organisms and biological events.

7. Astronomy

Astronomy is among the most difficult college majors. Students spend slightly more than 18 and a half hours per week preparing for class.

The study of celestial objects (such as planets, asteroids, and stars) and related phenomena such as supernovae and black holes are referred to as astronomy.

8. Physics

Physics majors, like astronomy students, spend more than 18 hours and 30 minutes each week preparing for classes.

Students majoring in physics learn about the movement and properties of matter over time and space, as well as the concepts of force and energy.

Most Useful Degrees

Most people want to major in something that both interests them and will allow them to earn a living once they graduate. Several majors are deemed beneficial, with engineering and medicine being two of the most valuable. In this post, we’ll look at the best college majors for increasing your chances of finding a high-paying job after graduation.

1. Marine engineering

A Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering degree prepares students to work on a variety of marine operational systems, such as offshore structures, boats, and submarines.

This occupation is expected to increase at a quicker rate than the majority of others between 2018 and 2028. After graduation, the average salary is $92,560.

2. Pharmaceutical sciences

A major in pharmaceutical sciences educates students to study and produce medicines using biology, chemistry, and other sciences.

This career is expected to increase at a faster rate than other careers, by 8% between 2018 and 2028. Pharmaceutical sciences workers earn an average annual salary of $84,810.

3. Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering majors learn how to evaluate, design, and develop a variety of electrical equipment.

These individuals can work with a wide range of electronics, including computers, robotics, and power systems.

The average yearly income for electrical engineers is $96,640, and this career path is expected to expand by 2% between 2018 and 2028.

4. Software engineering

Software engineering majors often go on to become software engineers, which is a high-demand professional path.

This occupation is anticipated to rise by 21% between 2018 and 2028, outpacing nearly all other career categories. A software engineering graduate’s average salary is $103,620.

5. Civil engineering

Civil engineering majors learn how to design, create, and manage infrastructure systems like those seen in construction projects.

Civil engineers also oversee projects that construct and repair airports, bridges, and other sorts of community structures.

Civil engineer employment is predicted to expand by 6% between 2018 and 2028, with an average annual salary of $86,640.

6. Applied mathematics

A degree in applied mathematics prepares students for careers in engineering, science, and computer science.

A bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics can lead to jobs such as actuary, computer programmer, and logistician.

This career field is in high demand and is anticipated to rise by 30 percent by 2028, outpacing all other vocations.

The average annual salary for someone with an applied mathematics degree is $101,900.

7. Statistics

A statistics degree prepares students for employment as statisticians, finance professionals, and other related professions.

This career field is in great demand and is anticipated to increase at a substantially faster rate than other vocations through 2028.

The average yearly salary for statisticians and related occupations is $87,780.

8. Medical and health preparatory programs

Individuals who complete medical and health preparatory programs are prepared to enter medical school or other health-related professions and careers.

Dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy are common areas of study for medical and health preparing students.

Healthcare vocations, such as those undertaken by medical and health preparatory majors, are expected to expand 14% through 2028, with an annual average salary of $66,440.

9. Economics

Economics majors study how economic systems work and how they affect society.

Financial analysts, actuaries, and market research analysts are common jobs for economics majors.

With an average annual income of $104,340, this job sector is predicted to expand by 8% through 2028.

10. Genetics

Individuals who major in genetics gain in-depth knowledge of how genetics affects modern culture.

This is a high-demand occupation that is expected to increase at a rate of 27 percent between 2018 and 2028, substantially faster than other jobs. Genetics majors earn an annual income of $80,370.

Easy Degrees That Pay Well

If you’re going to spend the time and money on a college education, your best bet may be to look for quick online degrees that pay well. At the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, you can get degrees quickly and easily that pay well. You may want to consider pursuing one of these bachelor’s degrees based on your interests.

• Business Administration
• Communications
• Finance
• Healthcare Administration
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Management
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management

Conclusion on the Most Useless College Degrees

This post on the most useless college degrees shouldn’t deter you from pursuing your dreams.

Although the unemployment rates and graduation pay for these degrees are among the lowest in the country, be rest assured that employers are always more interested in your drive, experience, and skill than a piece of paper.