CAUTION

"Caution" College Programs (2026)

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

205

Programs

55/100

Avg ROI Score

$36K

Avg Median Debt

$43K

Avg Year 1 Earnings

Top 50 "Caution" Programs

#	School	Major	ROI Score	Debt	Earnings (1yr)	Grade
1	Abilene Christian University	Psychology	59/100	$39,064	$48,000	C
2	Abilene Christian University	Criminal Justice and Corrections	59/100	$39,064	$50,000	C
3	Alabama State University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	59/100	$33,696	$45,000	C
4	Alabama State University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	59/100	$33,696	$45,000	C
5	Albertus Magnus College	Criminal Justice and Corrections	59/100	$38,460	$50,000	C
6	Alfred University	Natural Resources Conservation and Research	59/100	$39,844	$50,000	C
7	Amridge University	Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	59/100	$31,940	$42,000	C
8	Arizona Christian University	Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries	59/100	$27,544	$40,000	C
9	Aurora University	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	59/100	$33,172	$42,000	C
10	Ave Maria University	Theological and Ministerial Studies	59/100	$24,712	$40,000	C
11	Baker University	English Language and Literature	59/100	$37,947	$48,000	C
12	Barclay College	Bible/Biblical Studies	59/100	$25,244	$40,000	C
13	Barclay College	Theological and Ministerial Studies	59/100	$25,244	$40,000	C
14	Barnard College	Area Studies	59/100	$29,984	$45,000	C
15	Belhaven University	Dance	59/100	$32,025	$42,000	C
16	Belhaven University	Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	59/100	$32,025	$42,000	C
17	Belhaven University	Fine and Studio Arts	59/100	$32,025	$42,000	C
18	Belmont Abbey College	Theological and Ministerial Studies	59/100	$26,032	$40,000	C
19	Benedictine College	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	59/100	$33,304	$42,000	C
20	Bethany Global University	Theology and Religious Vocations	59/100	$28,032	$40,000	C
21	Bethel University	Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries	59/100	$26,160	$40,000	C
22	Biola University	Theological and Ministerial Studies	59/100	$26,680	$40,000	C
23	Biola University	Bible/Biblical Studies	59/100	$26,680	$40,000	C
24	Blackburn College	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	59/100	$33,092	$42,000	C
25	Blue Mountain Christian University	Bible/Biblical Studies	59/100	$26,488	$40,000	C
26	Blue Mountain Christian University	Religious/Sacred Music	59/100	$26,488	$40,000	C
27	Bob Jones University	Theological and Ministerial Studies	59/100	$24,244	$40,000	C
28	Brenau University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	59/100	$33,668	$45,000	C
29	Brenau University	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	59/100	$33,668	$42,000	C
30	Brenau University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	59/100	$33,668	$45,000	C
31	Briar Cliff University	Theological and Ministerial Studies	59/100	$26,188	$40,000	C
32	Bryant & Stratton College-Online	Human Services	59/100	$32,448	$42,000	C
33	Bushnell University	Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries	59/100	$27,992	$40,000	C
34	Bushnell University	Religious/Sacred Music	59/100	$27,992	$40,000	C
35	Calumet College of Saint Joseph	Fine and Studio Arts	59/100	$32,050	$42,000	C
36	Carlow University	Fine and Studio Arts	59/100	$31,853	$42,000	C
37	Carolina Christian College	Bible/Biblical Studies	59/100	$26,000	$40,000	C
38	Carolina University	Bible/Biblical Studies	59/100	$26,736	$40,000	C
39	Cedarville University	Bible/Biblical Studies	59/100	$25,312	$40,000	C
40	Central Christian College of Kansas	Theology and Religious Vocations, Other	59/100	$28,988	$40,000	C
41	Central Christian College of the Bible	Theology and Religious Vocations, Other	59/100	$27,848	$40,000	C
42	Central Christian College of the Bible	Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries	59/100	$27,848	$40,000	C
43	Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	59/100	$33,328	$42,000	C
44	Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences	Education, Other	59/100	$33,328	$45,000	C
45	Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences	Special Education and Teaching	59/100	$33,328	$45,000	C
46	Chicago State University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	59/100	$33,548	$45,000	C
47	Chicago State University	Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management	59/100	$33,548	$42,000	C
48	Chicago State University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	59/100	$33,548	$45,000	C
49	Chowan University	English Language and Literature	59/100	$37,666	$48,000	C
50	Clarks Summit University	Bible/Biblical Studies	59/100	$25,896	$40,000	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.

205 school-major combinations currently have a "Caution" verdict. Average debt is $36K with average first-year earnings of $43K.

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

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.