Many young people and their financially strained parents are starting to wonder if pursuing a degree is worth the steep cost of university education. The value, however, often hinges on the specific area of study.
Not every degree provides the same financial return. In fact, some graduates face high unemployment rates and limited income potential.
This year, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York updated a database that helps students see which college majors typically lead to better earnings after graduation.
For instance, a foreign language major can expect to earn a median starting salary of around $40,000. In contrast, those studying social sciences and performing arts don’t fare as well, according to the analysis.
Over time, education majors tend to see the lowest income ceilings. Graduates in early childhood education, primary education, and special education often experience not just lower initial wages but also find that their income plateaus over the years.
On another note, anthropology majors face the highest unemployment rate at 9.4%.
| Major | Unemployment Rate | Employment Rate | Median Initial Wages | Median Wages | Graduate Degrees |
| Foreign Language | 4.0% | 51.1% | $40,000 | $70,000 | 50.5% |
| General Social Science | 3.3% | 54.1% | $41,000 | $75,000 | 40.3% |
| Performing Arts | 2.7% | 62.3% | $41,900 | $70,000 | 37.3% |
| Anthropology | 9.4% | 55.9% | $42,000 | $70,000 | 46.7% |
| Early Childhood Education | 1.3% | 22.1% | $42,000 | $49,000 | 43.1% |
| Family and Consumer Science | 2.7% | 39.8% | $42,000 | $62,000 | 36.1% |
| General Education | 3.3% | 22.8% | $42,000 | $55,000 | 52.0% |
| Other Biological Sciences | 3.1% | 49.0% | $42,000 | $75,000 | 60.0% |
| Social Services | 1.7% | 31.8% | $42,000 | $54,000 | 51.9% |
| Theology and Religion | 3.1% | 42.9% | $42,000 | $60,000 | 45.6% |
While updated data from the US Census Bureau for 2025 is still pending, previous findings indicated that degrees in visual and performing arts, education, psychology, interdisciplinary research, literature, and language resulted in the lowest median incomes.
Low wages can be particularly challenging for graduates already burdened with hefty student loans. As student loan collections have resumed, many are feeling the pressure, with approximately 25% of those holding student loan accounts falling over three months behind on payments, according to a March estimate from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The average annual cost of attending a university in the US is about $38,000, factoring in tuition, supplies, and living expenses.
Conversely, students focusing on fields like engineering, computer science, physics, finance, and mathematics often enjoy the highest early and mid-career earnings.
