Worst Return on Investment Schools (2026)

The lowest-ranked program scores just 25/100 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	25/100	$49,988	$42,000	AVOID
2	Bowie State University	Fine and Studio Arts	25/100	$49,988	$42,000	AVOID
3	Bowie State University	Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	25/100	$49,988	$42,000	AVOID
4	Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America	Bible/Biblical Studies	25/100	$37,608	$40,000	AVOID
5	Art Academy of Cincinnati	Design and Applied Arts	26/100	$48,388	$42,000	AVOID
6	Art Academy of Cincinnati	Fine and Studio Arts	26/100	$48,388	$42,000	AVOID
7	Art Academy of Cincinnati	Film/Video and Photographic Arts	26/100	$48,388	$42,000	AVOID
8	Art Academy of Cincinnati	Visual and Performing Arts	26/100	$48,388	$42,000	AVOID
9	Beverly Hills Design Institute	Design and Applied Arts	26/100	$48,665	$42,000	AVOID
10	Bowie State University	Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	26/100	$47,608	$42,000	AVOID
11	Union University	Religious/Sacred Music	26/100	$42,388	$40,000	AVOID
12	Union University	Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries	26/100	$42,388	$40,000	AVOID
13	Bowie State University	Social Work	27/100	$47,608	$42,000	AVOID
14	Pacific Lutheran University	Music	27/100	$46,511	$42,000	AVOID
15	Pacific Lutheran University	Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	27/100	$46,511	$42,000	AVOID
16	Wade College	Design and Applied Arts	27/100	$47,057	$42,000	AVOID
17	Bowie State University	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	28/100	$47,608	$42,000	AVOID
18	Lubbock Christian University	Theology and Religious Vocations	28/100	$39,720	$40,000	AVOID
19	Norfolk State University	Fine and Studio Arts	28/100	$44,562	$42,000	AVOID
20	Norfolk State University	Music	28/100	$44,562	$42,000	AVOID
21	Norfolk State University	Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	28/100	$44,562	$42,000	AVOID
22	Union University	Fine and Studio Arts	28/100	$44,507	$42,000	AVOID
23	University of South Alabama	Fine and Studio Arts	28/100	$44,705	$42,000	AVOID
24	Abilene Christian University	Theology and Religious Vocations, Other	29/100	$39,064	$40,000	AVOID
25	Bowie State University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	29/100	$47,608	$45,000	AVOID
26	Bowie State University	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	29/100	$47,608	$45,000	AVOID
27	Design Institute of San Diego	Design and Applied Arts	29/100	$42,899	$42,000	AVOID
28	Goddard College	Visual and Performing Arts	29/100	$43,445	$42,000	AVOID
29	Heritage Bible College	Theology and Religious Vocations, Other	29/100	$39,756	$40,000	AVOID
30	Limestone University	Music	29/100	$43,491	$42,000	AVOID
31	New England College	Design and Applied Arts	29/100	$43,403	$42,000	AVOID
32	New England College	Fine and Studio Arts	29/100	$43,403	$42,000	AVOID
33	New England College	Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	29/100	$43,403	$42,000	AVOID
34	Pacific Lutheran University	Social Work	29/100	$44,296	$42,000	AVOID
35	Alfred University	Fine and Studio Arts	30/100	$41,836	$42,000	AVOID
36	Bethany College	Social Work	30/100	$43,004	$42,000	AVOID
37	Endicott College	Design and Applied Arts	30/100	$41,908	$42,000	AVOID
38	Florida National University-Main Campus	Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	30/100	$47,772	$45,000	AVOID
39	Full Sail University	Film/Video and Photographic Arts	30/100	$42,693	$42,000	AVOID
40	Full Sail University	Visual and Performing Arts	30/100	$42,693	$42,000	AVOID
41	Full Sail University	Design and Applied Arts	30/100	$42,693	$42,000	AVOID
42	Full Sail University	Music	30/100	$42,693	$42,000	AVOID
43	Full Sail University	Fine and Studio Arts	30/100	$42,693	$42,000	AVOID
44	Full Sail University	Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management	30/100	$42,693	$42,000	AVOID
45	Full Sail University	Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	30/100	$42,693	$42,000	AVOID
46	Oral Roberts University	Theological and Ministerial Studies	30/100	$37,608	$40,000	AVOID
47	Oral Roberts University	Bible/Biblical Studies	30/100	$37,608	$40,000	AVOID
48	Pacific Islands University	Bible/Biblical Studies	30/100	$37,308	$40,000	AVOID
49	Pacific Lutheran University	Health and Physical Education/Fitness	30/100	$44,296	$42,000	AVOID
50	Pfeiffer University	Religious/Sacred Music	30/100	$37,916	$40,000	AVOID

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.