20 Most Useless College Degrees 2025

Advertising majors learn to promote products through media, but job opportunities are limited. High-level positions in digital marketing, e-commerce, or sports marketing often require specialized degrees in these fields. Without focused qualifications, many graduates struggle to compete for these roles. While advertising knowledge can be valuable, employers increasingly prefer candidates with degrees directly related to the specific area, making an advertising degree itself less effective in today’s competitive job market.

An anthropology and archeology degree suits those passionate about history and culture, yet stable jobs are rare without a Ph.D. Graduates hoping to work in excavations or museums find limited opportunities, as most roles require advanced qualifications from prestigious institutions. Many find themselves in unpaid internships or low-paying roles. Without a high-level degree, graduates face challenges securing meaningful employment, often struggling to work beyond entry-level positions with little financial security.

Art history students study artistic evolution, but the job market offers few options. Graduates may hope to work in museums or as appraisers, yet competition is intense, and roles often require extensive experience. Many find that their knowledge is not directly applicable to most jobs, leaving them to search in other fields where art history expertise is less relevant. Without specific experience, breaking into this field can be extremely challenging.

Communications majors learn effective messaging, yet their degree’s broad nature lacks focus. Jobs in journalism, marketing, or administration are possible but often require more specialized degrees, making it tough for communications graduates to stand out. Employers prefer candidates with qualifications tailored to specific fields, leading to employment challenges for those with general communications degrees. This degree’s versatility can limit its value in securing targeted, high-demand roles after graduation.

A computer science degree may seem promising, but general programs often lack the specialization needed for competitive tech roles. Graduates aiming for coding or cybersecurity careers find that employers prefer certifications in these areas. Without specialized training, computer science majors can feel uncertain about their career path and may face competition from candidates with more specific qualifications, making it difficult to find secure, high-paying positions post-graduation.

Creative writing students learn storytelling and poetry, yet career paths are limited. Without skills in journalism or linguistics, graduates face few options beyond freelancing or publishing. Even if creatively talented, most find that steady jobs are scarce unless they publish a successful book. Many who study creative writing are left with narrow job prospects and may need to look into related fields to find stable employment.

Popular media influences many to pursue criminal justice, imagining careers as detectives or agents. However, actual job opportunities are limited to desk roles or lower-level administration. Graduates often face competition, with some opting for further training to pursue police or legal careers. This degree’s appeal can be misleading, as the high-level positions students may envision are hard to secure, leaving many with few attractive options post-graduation.

Culinary arts programs teach food preparation, but career flexibility is limited. While graduates gain specialized cooking skills, these don’t easily transfer to other fields. Culinary graduates may secure roles as chefs, but outside the culinary world, few employers find their training relevant. This degree often leaves graduates without a broad range of career options, making trade or culinary schools a more effective choice for those serious about culinary careers.

An education degree may seem practical, but it often requires further specialization or certification to be useful. General education graduates struggle to find jobs, as most teaching roles demand specialized credentials, such as early childhood or special education certifications. This limits career paths for those without additional qualifications, often leading to challenges finding stable employment in the education sector.

An entrepreneurship degree seems perfect for future business owners, but real-world experience is far more valuable. Graduates often lack the hands-on knowledge critical to running a business, while seasoned entrepreneurs succeed without formal study. Without tangible experience, this degree leaves graduates wondering where to begin and struggling to secure jobs, as employers prefer those with broader business or finance knowledge.

Ethnic and civilization studies provide cultural insight, yet career paths are limited. Graduates may seek roles in social work, education, or counseling, but these areas typically require specific degrees. A sole degree in ethnic studies often fails to attract employers in these fields, leaving graduates with fewer career options. Pairing with another major can increase employability, yet this degree alone remains difficult to market.

Fashion design may lead to dreams of launching a clothing line, but the field is notoriously competitive. Many graduates lack the connections or experience needed to secure jobs with top brands, and starting a brand requires extensive resources. Graduates often find it challenging to secure roles in other fields, as employers may not see their design education as relevant, leaving many fashion design majors unemployed or underemployed.

Film and photographic arts attract creatives, yet talent often outweighs formal education. Many photographers and videographers start businesses without degrees, while graduates struggle to find work that leverages their education. Successful roles require a strong portfolio, and the degree itself is often seen as unnecessary, making it challenging for graduates to find well-paying, stable jobs in this field.

Language degrees promise cultural insights, but career options are limited to roles like translation, international relations, or embassy work. Success typically requires fluency in multiple languages, and even then, job options are competitive. Graduates without additional skills or majors often find that a language degree alone lacks versatility in today’s job market, limiting their career opportunities.

Music majors study performance and composition, but careers are few and low-paying. Prestigious roles as conductors or professional musicians are rare, and many end up teaching or leading worship. While music can provide supplementary income, it often fails to support a full-time career. As a result, many music graduates search for work outside their field, finding it hard to compete without relevant job skills.

Philosophy offers intellectual enrichment, yet jobs are scarce outside academia. Most graduates need further study, often in law or writing, to find stable work, as philosophy alone doesn’t translate well to practical careers. Employers rarely seek philosophy majors, making it challenging for graduates to secure jobs related to their studies without further qualifications.

Psychology often requires advanced degrees for clinical roles. A bachelor’s in psychology rarely leads to well-paying jobs, and many graduates must pursue further training or certification to enter counseling or social work fields.

Studio arts majors explore artistic techniques but often find limited job prospects. Success in this field relies more on raw talent than a degree, with many finding freelance work while struggling to secure stable positions. Without a specialized focus, studio arts graduates face significant competition, often needing exceptional talent or networking to succeed.

Theater arts students study acting and production, but job prospects are limited and competitive. Graduates often endure years of internships or low-paying roles, with prestigious positions requiring experience and connections. Those pursuing non-acting roles may struggle to find employers who value a theater arts degree, facing challenges transitioning into related fields.

Travel and tourism degrees appeal to adventurers but rarely lead to exciting careers. Many graduates work in office-based roles, handling administrative tasks, rather than traveling the world. Jobs are often low-paying, with limited career growth. Graduates hoping to make it in travel find that their degree alone provides little job security or financial stability.