College Majors with the Worst Pay After Graduation: A Guide for Student-Athletes

As a student-athlete, you’re already balancing academics, sports, and personal life, but deciding on your college major is another crucial factor in your future. The cost of attending college is high, and it’s essential to consider how your chosen major will affect your career prospects after graduation. Some majors offer higher wages and more job opportunities, while others may lead to low-paying jobs with higher unemployment rates.

A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York sheds light on which college majors tend to yield the lowest wages and highest unemployment rates after graduation, which could be helpful for student-athletes when thinking about long-term career goals.

Majors like foreign languages and social sciences often lead to lower early-career wages—around $40,000 to $42,000. While these fields may be enriching, they often have higher unemployment rates, with anthropology graduates facing the highest at 9.4%. For student-athletes, especially those aiming to transition into a professional career after sports, these numbers might make it harder to recover financially, particularly if you’re carrying student debt.

Performing arts and education-related majors, like early childhood education, are also among the lowest-paying after graduation. These fields often have low entry-level wages that don’t increase significantly in mid-career, making it tough to stay financially stable without additional support. This could be particularly important for student-athletes who may face a shorter window to establish their careers in the workforce post-graduation.

While these majors may offer personal fulfillment, many student-athletes who are balancing intense schedules may want to consider the long-term earning potential. It’s crucial to weigh how a major can fit into your overall career plan and whether it aligns with your aspirations after sports.

In contrast, STEM majors—particularly those in engineering, computer science, math, and finance—offer a strong return on investment, with higher wages both early in a career and throughout mid-career. For student-athletes who excel in these areas, choosing a path that leads to fields with higher-paying opportunities might be worth considering. These careers not only pay well but also offer job stability and room for growth, which can be important as you transition into life after sports.

Additionally, while the data is telling about earning potential, it’s essential for student-athletes to also consider what they’re passionate about. Balancing sports and academics is no easy feat, and pursuing a major that excites you could lead to long-term job satisfaction and fulfillment. Moreover, as a student-athlete, you have skills such as leadership, teamwork, and time management that can translate well into many different career fields, even those with lower starting salaries.

Finally, student loans are a concern for many, especially as graduates often struggle to make payments with lower starting salaries. If you’re considering a major with lower earnings potential, it’s important to plan ahead for how you’ll manage any student debt after graduation.

For student-athletes, the path forward isn’t just about choosing a high-paying major—it’s about choosing a major that will support your future goals, provide opportunities for career advancement, and align with your personal interests. Whether you choose a high-demand field like computer science or a passion-driven career in education or social sciences, your ability to leverage your unique skills will set you up for success in the workforce.