The 10 Lowest-Paying College Majors, 5 Years After Graduation
While attending college often leads to higher pay, not all degrees offer the same earning potential—particularly those in fields like liberal arts.
According to a recent analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, graduates who major in education, social work, or the arts tend to see the lowest median incomes within five years of finishing school. The study, which looks at full-time workers with a bachelor’s degree, excludes those still enrolled in school.
The findings are based on 2023 data and show that graduates in these fields earn less than the U.S. median wage of $48,060, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While those who study engineering can expect to earn over $80,000 early in their careers, many liberal arts and education majors often earn closer to $40,000. The median salary across all majors examined stood at $50,000.
Here’s a look at the 10 majors that typically lead to the lowest median salaries for full-time workers aged 22 to 27:
- Early Childhood Education
While this field is vital for shaping the futures of young children, graduates tend to earn the least. The median salary for early childhood education majors five years out of school is around $35,000. Many graduates find themselves in public-sector roles, where pay tends to be lower. - Social Work
Social work is a noble profession, but it doesn’t always translate into high pay. Social work majors see a median salary of about $37,000 early in their careers. Many of these roles are in non-profits or government organizations, which often pay less than private sector jobs. - Education
Teaching is one of the most impactful professions, but it doesn’t always come with a hefty paycheck. For education majors, the median salary five years after graduation is approximately $40,000. While teaching offers personal rewards, it doesn’t always provide the financial return seen in other fields. - Fine Arts
Pursuing a passion in the arts can be fulfilling, but it doesn’t always lead to high-paying opportunities. Fine arts majors, whether they focus on music, theater, or visual arts, often find themselves in teaching or freelance work, which doesn’t offer substantial pay. The median salary for these graduates hovers around $40,000. - Liberal Arts
Liberal arts majors, which cover subjects like philosophy, history, and literature, face challenges in translating their degrees into high-paying jobs. Many end up in education or public sector roles, where salaries are lower than in technical fields. These graduates often earn around $40,000 early in their careers. - Psychology
Psychology majors often pursue careers in counseling, therapy, or social work, but these roles tend to offer modest pay compared to fields like medicine or business. The median early-career salary for psychology majors is around $42,000. - Sociology
Similar to psychology, sociology majors tend to work in social services, education, or research. These roles typically offer limited financial reward. Sociology graduates see an early-career median salary of about $43,000. - Anthropology
Graduates of anthropology programs often work in research, museums, or education, which are vital but don’t always provide high pay. The median salary for anthropology majors is around $44,000 five years after graduation. - Foreign Languages
While speaking a foreign language is a valuable skill, a degree in the subject doesn’t always translate into a lucrative career. Many language majors work in teaching, translation, or public service, which are not known for high salaries. Graduates of foreign language programs typically earn a median salary of about $45,000. - Communications
A communications degree offers a broad range of career options, but many of them don’t pay well initially. While some communications graduates go into public relations or marketing, others end up in less lucrative roles in media and advertising. The median salary for communications majors five years out of school is approximately $46,000.
Challenges in Career Progression
For many graduates in these fields, salaries tend to remain relatively stagnant as they progress in their careers. For example, early childhood education majors see little increase in their salary after five years, with a median income of just $49,000 at the 10-year mark, barely higher than what they made initially.
In contrast, graduates in technical fields like engineering typically see much higher salaries as they advance in their careers. Engineering majors, for example, often break into six figures mid-career, showing the vast difference in earning potential between technical and liberal arts fields.
While a college degree is generally a valuable investment, it’s clear that not all majors provide the same financial return. Students who pursue careers in education, social work, and the arts often face lower-paying job prospects, despite the rewarding nature of these fields. As students make decisions about their education, it’s important to consider not only their passion and interests but also the potential earning power of their chosen field. For those pursuing lower-paying majors, the journey can still be fulfilling, but it may require careful financial planning to navigate the challenges that come with a less lucrative career path.