Published April 5, 2026 · Updated annually
College Majors to Avoid: Data Says These Don't Pay Off
Some college majors consistently deliver negative financial ROI — median student debt exceeds what graduates can reasonably expect to earn in their first years after graduation. This is not a judgment on the intellectual value of these fields, but a financial reality: if you borrow $35,000 and earn $28,000, the math does not work. Here are the majors with the worst ROI scores.
Majors With the Worst ROI Scores
| Major | Avg ROI Score | Avg Debt | 1yr Earnings | Debt-to-Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science | 36 | $28,077 | $35,000 | 80% |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 39 | $24,619 | $35,000 | 70% |
| Religious/Sacred Music | 41 | $27,444 | $40,000 | 69% |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 41 | $27,920 | $40,000 | 70% |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 42 | $27,264 | $40,000 | 68% |
| Religious Education | 42 | $26,496 | $40,000 | 66% |
| Theology and Religious Vocations | 42 | $27,023 | $40,000 | 68% |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 42 | $25,972 | $40,000 | 65% |
| Library Science and Administration | 43 | $30,270 | $42,000 | 72% |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 43 | $25,479 | $40,000 | 64% |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 44 | $30,197 | $42,000 | 72% |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 44 | $28,539 | $42,000 | 68% |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 44 | $28,001 | $42,000 | 67% |
| Dance | 44 | $28,180 | $42,000 | 67% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 44 | $28,667 | $42,000 | 68% |
The Worst School-Major Combinations
ROI varies by school. These specific school-major combinations have the lowest ROI scores in our entire database:
| School | Major | ROI Score | Debt | 1yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie State University | Design and Applied Arts | 25 | $49,988 | $42,000 |
| Bowie State University | Fine and Studio Arts | 25 | $49,988 | $42,000 |
| Bowie State University | Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 25 | $49,988 | $42,000 |
| Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America | Bible/Biblical Studies | 25 | $37,608 | $40,000 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Design and Applied Arts | 26 | $48,388 | $42,000 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Fine and Studio Arts | 26 | $48,388 | $42,000 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 26 | $48,388 | $42,000 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Visual and Performing Arts | 26 | $48,388 | $42,000 |
| Beverly Hills Design Institute | Design and Applied Arts | 26 | $48,665 | $42,000 |
| Bowie State University | Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 26 | $47,608 | $42,000 |
A Nuance: Value Is Not Just Financial
This article focuses strictly on financial ROI. Education has non-financial benefits — critical thinking, personal growth, cultural enrichment, civic engagement. A philosophy degree may not pay off in raw dollars but may be profoundly valuable in other ways.
The problem is not these fields existing. The problem is borrowing $40,000+ to study them at expensive private institutions when the earnings data clearly shows the math will not work. The same major at a low-cost state school, where debt stays under $15,000, can be a reasonable choice. It is the combination of high debt + low earnings that creates the trap.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If your primary goal is financial stability, consider these alternatives to low-ROI majors:
- Switch to a higher-ROI major at the same school — explore our best ROI ranking
- Transfer to a lower-cost school for the same degree
- Consider skilled trades — many pay $50-80K with minimal debt (see TradePay)
- Pursue community college for the first two years to reduce total debt
Frequently Asked Questions
Majors with the worst ROI typically combine high tuition debt with below-average starting salaries. Fine arts, some liberal arts, and education degrees at expensive private schools consistently rank lowest. Check the table above for current data.
Not necessarily. Liberal arts at a low-cost state school with $15K in debt is a very different proposition than the same major at a $50K/year private school. The issue is the debt-to-earnings ratio, not the major itself. If you can keep debt low, many majors become financially viable.
If you are a freshman or sophomore, switching majors is usually straightforward and can dramatically improve your financial outcome. Even as a junior, switching to a higher-ROI field may be worth the extra semester if it means $20K+ more in annual earnings.
/methodology