CAUTION

"Caution" College Programs (2026)

15,161 school-major combinations. ROI Score 40-59. Mixed results where debt levels and earnings roughly balance — research carefully before committing.

15,161

Programs

51/100

Avg ROI Score

$27K

Avg Median Debt

$48K

Avg Year 1 Earnings

Top 50 "Caution" Programs

#	School	Major	ROI Score	Debt	Earnings (1yr)	Grade
1	Abilene Christian University	Finance and Financial Management Services	59/100	$39,064	$65,000	C
2	Abilene Christian University	Business Administration, Management and Operations	59/100	$39,064	$65,000	C
3	Abilene Christian University	Marketing	59/100	$39,064	$65,000	C
4	Abilene Christian University	Accounting and Related Services	59/100	$39,064	$65,000	C
5	Adams State University	Biology	59/100	$25,620	$55,000	C
6	Agnes Scott College	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	59/100	$26,312	$52,000	C
7	Albertus Magnus College	Business Administration, Management and Operations	59/100	$38,460	$65,000	C
8	Albertus Magnus College	Finance and Financial Management Services	59/100	$38,460	$65,000	C
9	Albertus Magnus College	Accounting and Related Services	59/100	$38,460	$65,000	C
10	Albion College	Anthropology	59/100	$27,332	$58,000	C
11	Albright College	Biology	59/100	$25,676	$55,000	C
12	Albright College	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	59/100	$25,676	$55,000	C
13	Alfred University	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other	59/100	$39,844	$65,000	C
14	Alice Lloyd College	Criminal Justice and Corrections	59/100	$19,144	$50,000	C
15	Allegheny College	Sustainability Studies	59/100	$25,916	$52,000	C
16	Allegheny College	Biology	59/100	$25,916	$55,000	C
17	Allegheny College	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	59/100	$25,916	$55,000	C
18	Allen University	Social Sciences	59/100	$28,652	$58,000	C
19	Anderson University	Biology	59/100	$25,588	$55,000	C
20	Anderson University	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	59/100	$25,588	$55,000	C
21	Andrews University	Architectural Sciences and Technology	59/100	$28,864	$58,000	C
22	Angeles College	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	59/100	$39,182	$62,000	C
23	Asbury University	Biology	59/100	$25,580	$55,000	C
24	Asbury University	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	59/100	$25,580	$55,000	C
25	Auburn University	Biology	59/100	$25,032	$55,000	C
26	Auburn University	Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences	59/100	$25,032	$55,000	C
27	Augusta University	Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences	59/100	$24,736	$55,000	C
28	Augustana University	Biology	59/100	$25,340	$55,000	C
29	Augustana University	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	59/100	$25,340	$55,000	C
30	Augustana University	Computational Science	59/100	$25,340	$52,000	C
31	Austin College	Biology	59/100	$25,984	$55,000	C
32	Austin College	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	59/100	$25,984	$52,000	C
33	Ave Maria University	Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences	59/100	$24,712	$55,000	C
34	Averett University	Sociology	59/100	$28,220	$58,000	C
35	Baptist University of the Americas	Music	59/100	$13,511	$42,000	C
36	Bard College	Biological and Physical Sciences	59/100	$25,776	$52,000	C
37	Bard College	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	59/100	$25,776	$52,000	C
38	Barton College	Political Science and Government	59/100	$27,872	$58,000	C
39	Bates College	Religion/Religious Studies	59/100	$22,054	$52,000	C
40	Bates College	Philosophy	59/100	$22,054	$52,000	C
41	Baylor University	Biology	59/100	$26,000	$55,000	C
42	Baylor University	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	59/100	$26,000	$52,000	C
43	Beacon College	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	59/100	$25,924	$52,000	C
44	Bellevue College	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	59/100	$25,692	$55,000	C
45	Bellevue University	Health and Medical Administrative Services	59/100	$39,816	$62,000	C
46	Belmont Abbey College	Biology	59/100	$26,032	$55,000	C
47	Belmont University	Biology	59/100	$25,304	$55,000	C
48	Beloit College	Biology	59/100	$25,204	$55,000	C
49	Beloit College	Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other	59/100	$25,204	$55,000	C
50	Benedict College	Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations	59/100	$37,308	$65,000	C

Browse by Verdict

STRONG BUY BUY CAUTION AVOID

Frequently Asked Questions

ROI Score 40-59. Mixed results where debt levels and earnings roughly balance — research carefully before committing.

15,161 school-major combinations currently have a "Caution" verdict. Average debt is $27K with average first-year earnings of $48K.

Verdicts and grades both derive from the ROI Score (0-100). Grades use A-F letter mapping while verdicts use investment language: Strong Buy (80+), Buy (60-79), Caution (40-59), and Avoid (below 40).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Last updated: March 2026