Selecting the worst college degrees is somewhat of a subjective exercise. Do you base a college degree's value on how much money you can make by having the degree? Do you rank it low, because the profession it supports is not looked highly upon by society?
Lawyers, dentists, and bankers regularly rate near the top of the list in professions "most hated" by the general public. While these are all very honorable career choices, they also carry a great deal of stress. Financially speaking, these are amongst the most lucrative professions, but being thought less of by so many can also make them some of the worst college degrees to pursue.
On the other hand, some very noble professions like Elementary Education, Social Work and Theology are traditionally very low paying occupations. The average starting salary for these professions is between $33,000- $34,000 per year. A degree in any of these fields, even for a seasoned veteran, will limit your earning potential to around $50,000 per year, as reported by the NY Daily News.
Well, with the definition of what makes for a really bad college degree still somewhat indeterminate, here are three choices based primarily on potential financial reward vs time, effort, and stress required.
Social Work
In addition to the low pay (about $29,000 to start and $40,000 for a mid-level worker, according to PayScale.com) and long hours, a Social Worker has a very tough job. He or she must deal with a myriad of problems on a day to day basis. They must see all of society's most difficult problems. Everything from child abuse, drug dependency, crime and the consequences of poverty, fill the day of a Social Worker.
Yes, there are rewarding moments when one is able to really help someone and set them on the right path in life, but those are often few and far between. Struggles with being able to attain funds to institute programs, crowded facilities and an overtaxed, understaffed support system, makes getting a degree in Social Work, one of the worst college degrees of all.
Elementary Education
The low salary is the major reason why this degree is looked upon as one of the worst college degrees. At roughly $33,000 a year to start, according to PayScale.com, teachers who stay in this specialty can look forward to minimal raises each year.
In non-financial terms, this major obviously doesn't belong on this list; this list simply focuses on concerns regarding financial compensation.
Religion and Theology
Teaching religion is the main reason for earning a degree in Theology. As such, receiving a low salary of around $34,000 (according to NY Daily News) per year may or may not be important. However, for those wanting more material possessions (maybe this is not the right field for them), a Theology degree is another worst college degree.
What are the Worst Paying College Majors?
In the end, deciding which college majors are the worst is really a subjective art, not an objective science. Either way, the above degrees, at least from an investment standpoint, won't be leading to an early retirement anytime in the near future.
Either way, picking a major and degree to pursue is extremely subjective and relative to the person. It depends on your goals, values, and desired lifestyle – just like most other career choices and decisions.
Shaun Connell - Shaun Connell is a writer, publisher, and investor living in central area of the United States. He began working as a part-time freelance ...
