Worst Return on Investment Schools (2026)

The lowest-ranked program scores just 40/100 on our ROI Score. These school-major combinations have the worst debt-to-earnings ratios and weakest job market prospects.

#	School	Major	ROI Score	Debt	Earnings (1yr)	Verdict
1	Bowie State University	Design and Applied Arts	40/100	$49,988	$42,000	CAUTION
2	Bowie State University	Fine and Studio Arts	40/100	$49,988	$42,000	CAUTION
3	Bowie State University	Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	40/100	$49,988	$42,000	CAUTION
4	Art Academy of Cincinnati	Design and Applied Arts	41/100	$48,388	$42,000	CAUTION
5	Art Academy of Cincinnati	Fine and Studio Arts	41/100	$48,388	$42,000	CAUTION
6	Art Academy of Cincinnati	Film/Video and Photographic Arts	41/100	$48,388	$42,000	CAUTION
7	Art Academy of Cincinnati	Visual and Performing Arts	41/100	$48,388	$42,000	CAUTION
8	Beverly Hills Design Institute	Design and Applied Arts	41/100	$48,665	$42,000	CAUTION
9	Bowie State University	Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	42/100	$47,608	$42,000	CAUTION
10	Bowie State University	Social Work	43/100	$47,608	$42,000	CAUTION
11	Bowie State University	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	44/100	$47,608	$42,000	CAUTION
12	Bowie State University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	46/100	$47,608	$45,000	CAUTION
13	Bowie State University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	46/100	$47,608	$45,000	CAUTION
14	Abilene Christian University	Theology and Religious Vocations, Other	47/100	$39,064	$40,000	CAUTION
15	Alfred University	Fine and Studio Arts	47/100	$41,836	$42,000	CAUTION
16	Bethany College	Social Work	47/100	$43,004	$42,000	CAUTION
17	Abilene Christian University	Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	48/100	$41,017	$42,000	CAUTION
18	Bowie State University	English Language and Literature	48/100	$49,988	$48,000	CAUTION
19	College of Our Lady of the Elms	Social Work	48/100	$41,728	$42,000	CAUTION
20	Colorado Christian University	Bible/Biblical Studies	48/100	$36,964	$40,000	CAUTION
21	Albertus Magnus College	Fine and Studio Arts	49/100	$40,383	$42,000	CAUTION
22	American Baptist College	Theology and Religious Vocations, Other	49/100	$36,840	$40,000	CAUTION
23	Bethany College	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	49/100	$43,004	$45,000	CAUTION
24	Bethany College	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	49/100	$43,004	$45,000	CAUTION
25	College of Our Lady of the Elms	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	49/100	$41,728	$42,000	CAUTION
26	Colorado Christian University	Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries	49/100	$36,964	$40,000	CAUTION
27	Abilene Christian University	Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	50/100	$39,064	$42,000	CAUTION
28	Benedict College	Fine and Studio Arts	50/100	$39,173	$42,000	CAUTION
29	Benedict College	Music	50/100	$39,173	$42,000	CAUTION
30	Benedict College	Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management	50/100	$39,173	$42,000	CAUTION
31	Carolina College of Biblical Studies	Bible/Biblical Studies	50/100	$35,580	$40,000	CAUTION
32	Carolina College of Biblical Studies	Theological and Ministerial Studies	50/100	$35,580	$40,000	CAUTION
33	Carolina College of Biblical Studies	Religious Education	50/100	$35,580	$40,000	CAUTION
34	Central Baptist College	Bible/Biblical Studies	50/100	$35,684	$40,000	CAUTION
35	Central Baptist College	Theology and Religious Vocations	50/100	$35,684	$40,000	CAUTION
36	Abilene Christian University	Social Work	51/100	$39,064	$42,000	CAUTION
37	Bethel University	Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries	51/100	$35,608	$40,000	CAUTION
38	Central Baptist College	Religious/Sacred Music	51/100	$35,684	$40,000	CAUTION
39	College of Our Lady of the Elms	Education	51/100	$41,728	$45,000	CAUTION
40	College of Our Lady of the Elms	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	51/100	$41,728	$45,000	CAUTION
41	Abilene Christian University	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	52/100	$39,064	$42,000	CAUTION
42	Albertus Magnus College	Community Organization and Advocacy	52/100	$38,460	$42,000	CAUTION
43	Alfred University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	52/100	$39,844	$45,000	CAUTION
44	Bellevue University	Design and Applied Arts	52/100	$38,006	$42,000	CAUTION
45	Bethany College	English Language and Literature	52/100	$45,154	$48,000	CAUTION
46	Bowie State University	Criminal Justice and Corrections	52/100	$47,608	$50,000	CAUTION
47	Bowie State University	Audiovisual Communications Technologies	52/100	$47,608	$48,000	CAUTION
48	Bowie State University	Psychology	52/100	$47,608	$48,000	CAUTION
49	Bowie State University	History	52/100	$49,988	$50,000	CAUTION
50	Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary	Bible/Biblical Studies	52/100	$33,788	$40,000	CAUTION

Frequently Asked Questions

Low ROI typically stems from a combination of above-average debt, below-average earnings for the field, weak job growth projections, and/or low graduation rates. The degree cost exceeds the financial return.

Not necessarily. A school may rank poorly for one major but excellently for another. Always evaluate the specific program you plan to study, not just the institution overall. Use our school pages to compare majors.

AVOID indicates an ROI Score below 35, meaning the debt burden is high relative to expected earnings and job market conditions. Graduates may struggle to repay loans within a reasonable timeframe.

Best Roi →Highest Debt →