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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 55 | $31,780 | $40,000 | 79% |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 57 | $28,236 | $40,000 | 71% |
| Religious Education | 57 | $27,156 | $40,000 | 68% |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 58 | $26,378 | $40,000 | 66% |
| Religious/Sacred Music | 59 | $26,892 | $40,000 | 67% |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 59 | $25,317 | $40,000 | 63% |
| Theology and Religious Vocations | 59 | $25,828 | $40,000 | 65% |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 60 | $28,347 | $42,000 | 67% |
| Dance | 60 | $29,902 | $42,000 | 71% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 60 | $28,261 | $42,000 | 67% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 60 | $28,877 | $42,000 | 69% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 60 | $29,517 | $42,000 | 70% |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 60 | $28,700 | $42,000 | 68% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 60 | $27,489 | $42,000 | 65% |
| Housing and Human Environments | 61 | $24,244 | $42,000 | 58% |
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 | 40 | $49,988 | $42,000 |
| Bowie State University | Fine and Studio Arts | 40 | $49,988 | $42,000 |
| Bowie State University | Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 40 | $49,988 | $42,000 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Design and Applied Arts | 41 | $48,388 | $42,000 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Fine and Studio Arts | 41 | $48,388 | $42,000 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 41 | $48,388 | $42,000 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Visual and Performing Arts | 41 | $48,388 | $42,000 |
| Beverly Hills Design Institute | Design and Applied Arts | 41 | $48,665 | $42,000 |
| Bowie State University | Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 42 | $47,608 | $42,000 |
| Bowie State University | Social Work | 43 | $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.
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