College is expensive, and student loans can take years to repay, so it makes sense to study a subject that will quite literally pay off in the long run. Equally important, it helps to know which majors are unlikely to lead to fat paychecks and ample employment opportunities.
We analyzed data for 126 popular college majors to determine which majors typically come with the best hiring prospects and pay. Here are the 5 majors that landed at the bottom of the list.
1. Photography
Starting salary: $38,600 (median for all majors: $43,250)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Mid-career salary: $56,500 (median for all majors: $74,700)
Annual online job postings: 7,788
2. Art
Starting salary: $37,000
Mid-career salary: $59,600
Annual online job postings: 12,562
3. Radio & Television
Starting salary: $38,600
Mid-career salary: $64,100
Annual online job postings: 7,355
4. Anthropology
Starting salary: $40,500
Mid-career salary: $63,200
Annual online job postings: 733
5. Graphic Design
Starting salary: $40,200
Mid-career salary: $61,700
Annual online job postings: 30,910
See more of the worst college majors for your career.
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Sinks 333 Points as Mega Caps SlideThe main indexes sold off at the open and stayed lower through the close, putting the Santa Claus rally at risk.
-
BOI Report Deadline for Small Businesses Halted — AgainMissing this BOI report can come with a $10,000 penalty, but there's an injunction on it.
-
Debit Cards vs Charge Cardscredit & debt Whether sticking to a budget or reaping big rewards, understand whether debit cards vs charge cards are right for you.
-
Four Smart Steps To Take Before Buying Your First Homehome Buying your first home can be daunting. Here are four things you need to do years before you start house-hunting to prepare financially for the biggest purchase of your life.
-
The 25 Cheapest Places to Live: U.S. Cities Editionplaces to live Have a look at the cheapest places to live in America for city dwellers. Is one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. right for you?
-
Sharing His Path to SuccessStarting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals This Native American studied tech in the Air Force and landed his dream job. Now he’s giving back.
-
How Big Should My Emergency Fund Be?Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the importance of building an emergency fund.
-
PODCAST: How to Find a Job After Graduation, with Beth Hendler-GruntStarting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals Today’s successful job applicants need to know how to ace the virtual interview and be prepared to do good old-fashioned research and networking. Also, gas prices are high, but try a little global perspective.
-
Homeowners Insurance: How to Protect Your HomeBrandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the ins and outs of homeowners insurance.
-
The "Real" Cost of Buying a CarBrandon Copeland Atlanta Falcons linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland illustrates how car prices are far more than meets the eye.
