There’s no doubt that a college degree is a valuable commodity in today’s economy. However, not all degrees are created equal. Some degrees offer more opportunities and higher salaries than others. So which degrees are the most useless?
According to recent studies, the most useless college degrees are in the humanities and social sciences. These degrees offer little practical value in the workforce and often lead to lower-paying jobs. In contrast, degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are much more helpful and can lead to high-paying jobs.
If you’re considering a college degree, it’s essential to do your research and choose a degree that will practically use in the real world. The most useless college degrees may seem appealing at first, impressing employers. But they often lead to disappointment and frustration down the road. So think carefully before making your decision!
The Most Useless College Degrees 2020
10. Communication technologies
In the era of technology, communication is critical. And while many different forms of communication exist, some are more important than others. In 2020, the most useless college degrees were those in communication technologies.
With so many ways to communicate today—texting, emailing, calling, social media—there is no need for a degree that focuses on one specific form of communication. Employers are looking for employees with skills in multiple forms of communication, not just one. So if you’re thinking about getting a degree in communication technologies, think again. There are many more valuable degrees out there.
- Unemployment rate: 9.40%
- Alternative major: Computer engineering (6.63%)
9. Intercultural and international studies
When it comes to college degrees, a few are considered more useless than others. According to a recent study, degrees in intercultural and international studies are two of the most useless degrees.
The study, conducted by researchers at The Best Schools, looked at the 30 most popular college majors in the United States. They then ranked each major based on how employable graduates from those majors are.
Intercultural and international studies degrees came in at 29 and 30 on the list, respectively. However, the researchers found that these degrees offer graduates little to no job prospects. Many employers don’t even know what these degrees entail.
So why are these degrees so useless? One reason is that they focus too much on theory and not enough on practical application.
- Unemployment rate: 9.93%
- Alternative major: Sociology (7.66%)
8. Ethnic and civilization studies
The study of ethnicity and civilizations has been around for centuries. However, in 2020, this area of study is considered one of the most useless college degrees. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is that it does not provide students with any practical skills that they can use in the real world. Additionally, many other areas of study are more relevant and beneficial to students.
Unemployment rate: 10.84%
Alternative major: International relations (8.39%)
7. Fine Arts
Many college degrees are seen as useless by the public. However, one particular type of degree is considered more worthless than all the others: fine arts degrees.
According to a study by WalletHub, fine arts degrees were the most useless college degrees in 2020. The study looked at five factors to determine how valuable a degree is: earning potential, job opportunities, stress levels, social life and flexibility.
Fine arts degrees ranked last in 4 of the five categories. They only ranked higher than business administration and marketing degrees when it came to earning potential. However, even that ranking was not very high, as fine arts degrees only ranked 31st out of the 121-degree types studied.
So why are fine arts degrees so unpopular? There are several reasons. First, they often don’t lead to high-paying jobs.
- Unemployment rate: 10.90%
- Alternative major: Art and music education (4.71%)
6. Mass Media
Mass media is a field of study that has been around for many years. It is a degree that can be obtained from various colleges and universities. However, this degree will not necessarily lead to a career. It may be one of the most useless degrees that someone can obtain.
There are many reasons why this may be the case. For starters, mass media is a field that is constantly changing. What was once a popular form of communication may no longer be relevant when someone graduates with this degree. Additionally, many other fields are more likely to lead to a career. These include areas such as marketing, public relations, and advertising.
While it is possible to find a job in mass media, it is not always easy. The competition can be fierce, and the pay may not be as high as someone would hope.
- Unemployment rate: 10.92%
- Alternative major: Journalism (7.18%)
5. Film video and photographic arts
In the era of digital media, film and photography have experienced a resurgence in popularity. This is because film and photography are mediums that allow for a level of creativity and expression that is unmatched by other forms of communication.
Despite the resurgence in popularity, film and photography are often overlooked as legitimate art forms. This is likely because both mediums are often seen as outdated in the age of digital media.
However, film and photography are still widely used by artists worldwide. Both mediums offer a unique way to communicate ideas and emotions to audiences.
- Unemployment rate: 11.24%
- Alternative major: General Business (6.79%)
4. Drama and theatre arts
Some people may think that a drama or theatre arts degree is useless and a waste of time. They would be wrong. According to the most recent report from The Huffington Post, drama and theatre arts degrees are among the most helpful college degrees in 2020.
The report looked at employment data from Burning Glass Technologies, which showed that graduates with theatre and drama degrees are more likely to be employed than graduates with any other type of degree. In addition, they are almost twice as likely to be used as graduates with business degrees.
This makes sense when you consider that the skills learned in drama and theatre arts classes – such as public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork – are valuable in many fields. So if you’re considering a degree in drama or theatre arts, don’t let anyone tell you that it’s not worth it.
- Unemployment rate: 11.42%
- Alternative major: Language and drama education (4.11%)
3. Anthropology and archaeology
Anthropology and archaeology may be considered some of the most useless college degrees in 2020. The popularity of these disciplines has been waning for years, as students have been opting for more practical majors. With the advent of new technologies and ever-changing job markets, these two fields have become increasingly irrelevant.
Anthropology is the study of human beings and their cultures, while archaeology studies past human societies through their material remains. Both disciplines rely heavily on fieldwork, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Moreover, the findings of anthropology and archaeology are often not applicable to modern life.
There are a few exceptions, of course. For example, anthropologists and archaeologists specializing in forensic science can find employment in law enforcement or crime labs. And those who focus on historical research may find work in museums or historical societies.
- Unemployment rate: 11.76%
- Alternative major: Theology and religious works (6.06%)
2. Environmental science
There are many different college degrees that students can choose from in today’s society. Therefore, it can be hard to decide which degree is the right fit for you. In this article, we will discuss the most useless college degrees.
One of the most useless college degrees in environmental science. Environmental science is a field that focuses on protecting the environment. However, many jobs in this field do not pay well. In addition, there are not many jobs in this field. Therefore, it is not a good choice for students who want to make money.
Another one of the most useless college degrees is in sociology. Sociology is a field that focuses on understanding human behaviour. However, there are not many jobs in this field. In addition, the pay is not very good. Therefore, it is not a good choice for students who want to make money.
- Unemployment rate: 11.79%
- Alternative major: Natural resource management (2%)
1. Composition and Rhetoric
Some college degrees are more valuable in an age where the job market is competitive, and the economy is unpredictable. But unfortunately, according to The Wall Street Journal, the most useless college degrees in 2020 are composition and rhetoric.
While these degrees may be exciting and valuable for some students, they don’t offer the same return on investment as other degrees. For example, a degree in business or engineering can lead to a high-paying job, while a degree in composition and rhetoric often doesn’t lead to a career that pays well.
This isn’t to say that all degrees in composition and rhetoric are useless – there are many jobs out there for graduates with these degrees. However, if you’re looking for a degree that will help you get ahead in your career, you may consider another option.
- Unemployment rate: 17.54%
- Alternative major: English language and literature (7.92%)
