The 10 Most Useless University Degrees

Are you about to decide on your college major but are unsure which one will be the best investment? It’s crucial to take the return on your investment into account given the rising cost of education. Regrettably, not all degrees are equal in terms of employment possibilities and earning power. Some might guide you down a path that is ultimately just a time and money waste.

For this reason, we’ve put together a list of the ten most pointless university degrees that you ought to reconsider pursuing. Let’s start now!

The 10 Most Pointless Degrees from College

1 Music

Undoubtedly, many people are passionate about and enjoy the art of music, but getting a degree in it might not always lead to the ideal job. Although a music career can be financially rewarding if you’re successful, there aren’t many opportunities, making this degree one of the least useful from a university perspective.

Furthermore, it’s become harder to make money from music as a result of technological advancements and digital music distribution platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Anyone can now more easily access thousands of songs without having to pay for them thanks to these resources.

Furthermore, learning music requires a lot of practice and dedication over many years, which does not always translate into financial success or job security. Additionally, it might call for pricey equipment, the cost of which might not be recovered right away.

Considering how cutthroat the industry has grown in recent years, enrolling in a music course may just result in an unfulfilled dream rather than any actual success.

2 Drama and Theater Arts

Another degree program that many students might not need is drama and theatre arts. Although it might seem like a fun and exciting field to work in, there aren’t many job opportunities in this field.

The salaries of actors and other theatre professionals are frequently low because a lot of productions in the theatre rely heavily on funding from outside sources. Additionally, it can be challenging to find stable employment due to the intense competition for positions.

Additionally, with the expansion of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, conventional theatrical productions may eventually lose even more of their relevance. As more people decide against going out to see plays or musicals in favor of watching films and TV shows in the convenience of their own homes.

Those who are passionate about acting or producing theatrical works may find it fulfilling to pursue a degree in drama and theatre arts. It’s crucial to keep in mind, though, that this might not necessarily equate to long-term financial security or job security.

3 Film and Photography

It may seem exciting, imaginative, and glamorous to pursue a career in film and photography. The truth is that getting a degree in this field frequently isn’t worth the time and money.

First off, rather than requiring formal education, many of the skills needed for filmmaking and photography can be learned through experience or through self-teaching. In addition, anyone can become a skilled photographer or filmmaker without going to college thanks to the development of digital technology and social media sites like Instagram and YouTube.

It’s also critical to think about your employment options after graduation. There are few opportunities for entry-level positions available in the fiercely competitive industry. Due to oversaturation, many graduates struggle to find stable employment in their fields.

In comparison to other industries requiring comparable levels of education, even those who are successful in finding employment may receive low salaries.

Even though following a passion for film and photography may be fulfilling on a personal level, earning a degree in this field might not result in long-term professional success or financial security.

4 English Literature

People who enjoy reading and analyzing literature frequently choose English Literature as their major. It is, however, also regarded as one of the least useful degrees available today. Even though studying literature can be fascinating, it doesn’t always lead to a successful career.

Because there are simply not enough job opportunities available with this degree, many English Literature graduates end up in low-paying jobs in unrelated fields. Additionally, the abilities developed through studying literature are not always directly transferable to everyday life.

While some may contend that a degree in English literature can lead to jobs in writing or editing, these fields are extremely competitive and hard to break into without a lot of background or connections.

Furthermore, traditional literary genres are no longer as lucrative as they once were due to the development of technology and digital media platforms. This means that those pursuing degrees in English literature will have even fewer opportunities.

Even though some people find studying English Literature to be enjoyable and intellectually stimulating, you should think about how useful this degree will be before choosing it as your major.

5 History

The study of history is fascinating because it teaches us about the past and how it influenced the way the world is today. However, it might not be the best decision in terms of career prospects to pursue a degree in history.

Even though critical thinking abilities and historical knowledge are valuable, studying history does not always guarantee a job after graduation. Many history majors struggle to find employment after graduation or end up working in unrelated industries.

Moreover, some contend that obtaining a degree in history is not necessary for learning about the past given the wealth of information accessible online and through other accessible resources. Without spending time and money on formal education, one can learn comparable information by reading books or attending lectures.

Even though history study can be enlightening and fulfilling on a personal level, it might not be the best way to succeed professionally.

6 Philosophy

The goal of philosophy is to comprehend the nature of reality, existence, and knowledge. It poses important life-related queries like, “What is the meaning of life?” as well as “Is there free will?” One can develop strong arguments and improve their critical thinking skills by studying philosophy.

A degree in philosophy may not open up many career options, despite its intellectual appeal. While some students go on to become philosophers or philosophy teachers, others have difficulty finding work outside of academia. This is so because most employers place a higher value on real-world experience and skills than on academic knowledge.

Furthermore, unlike programs in engineering or nursing, philosophy degrees do not offer specialized vocational training. Before graduates are qualified for particular jobs in fields like law or journalism, they frequently need additional education or work experience.

But even if there aren’t any immediate job prospects after graduation, philosophy students frequently have a strong passion for their subject and see its value. They contend that studying philosophy has intrinsic advantages that go beyond career advancement, as we develop intellectually and personally by grappling with challenging concepts and engaging in complex debates.

7 Studies in Religion

One of the most contentious and debatable degrees offered by universities is in religious studies. The study of various religions, their histories, rituals, and practices is the main objective of this major. Some contend that this degree doesn’t produce any employable or tangible skills, though.

However, religious studies can help students develop their critical thinking abilities and cultural awareness. The study of different religions, such as Buddhism, Islam, or Christianity, can help students gain a broader understanding of society and human nature.

Additionally, studying religion can aid people in understanding ethical dilemmas from a moral standpoint. Understanding the values of various cultures may improve communication between diverse communities, resulting in greater tolerance for other people’s viewpoints.

However, unless you choose an academic path like becoming a professor or researcher in religious studies, your job prospects are limited after earning this degree. However, it is still possible to use these abilities in professions where an understanding of religion is important, such as journalism or social work.

Although the usefulness of pursuing Religious Studies depends on your interests, regardless of the practicality debate, enrolling in Religious Studies courses will broaden your perspective on the challenges and complexities of life.

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8 History of Art

Students can investigate the development of art throughout history in the fascinating subject of art history. But it’s also frequently regarded as one of the least useful university degrees, with few employment opportunities and low earning potential.

Understanding how art reflects social and political movements as well as valuable insights into various cultures and societies can both be gained from studying art history. The study of various art movements, techniques, styles, and creators from various historical eras, from prehistoric times to contemporary art, will be taught to students.

But despite its fascinating subject matter, graduates in the field of art history frequently struggle to find employment. Because of the industry’s intense competition, employment opportunities are limited and pay is typically lower than in other professions.

Despite this difficulty, some graduates use their knowledge by working in galleries or museums or by going on to become independent writers or art critics. Others might venture into related industries where they can use their creative talents, like marketing or advertising.

As a result, students should carefully consider their options before devoting time and money to this degree program. Studying art history has benefits, such as the ability to gain insight into various cultures, but it is also known for having fewer job prospects.

9 Anthropology

The study of human societies, cultures, and their development is known as anthropology. Although it has an intriguing subject, it has been ranked as one of the least useful university degrees.

Graduates of anthropology are frequently unable to find jobs relevant to their degree, which is one explanation for this. It appears that many employers do not view anthropology as a prerequisite for employment. In addition, those who do manage to find work in professions like archaeology might encounter low pay and a lack of job security.

Additionally, detractors claim that anthropology courses can be overly theoretical and have few real-world applications. Although studying different cultures and traditions is fascinating, some people believe that it does not lead to the development of practical knowledge or skills that can be used in the workplace.

However, proponents of anthropology contend that if properly applied, it provides useful critical thinking abilities and cultural awareness that could be useful in a variety of industries. When working in international organizations or diplomatic circles, the capacity to analyze complex social structures and comprehend various viewpoints may be useful.

Although there may be legitimate arguments against earning a degree in anthropology, the answer ultimately depends on the person’s post-graduation career choice.

10 Culinary arts

Chefs in training may have previously believed that attending culinary school is a no-brainer, but recent statistics seem to indicate otherwise. With graduate chefs earning just 2% to 11% more than their school-leaver counterparts, the benefits of an expensive degree are simply no longer there due to rising tuition costs that are out of step with wages.

This is due to the fact that, while some restaurant owners believe that attending culinary school is a necessary career step, the majority hold the opinion that talent and experience are more valuable than academic credentials. Therefore, a kitchen might be a better place to spend your time and money than a classroom.

Conclusion

It is crucial to stress that the definition of “useless” is arbitrary and relative. For one person, a degree might be worthless, but it might be valuable to another. However, some degrees are more likely to leave graduates struggling to find employment or underemployed in low-paying jobs based on factors like job prospects, earning potential, and practical application in the real world.

Music, Drama and Theatre Arts, Film and Photography, English Literature, History, and Philosophy are among the ten degrees mentioned above. Several studies have identified Religious Studies, Art History, and Anthropology as having few career options or low earning potential.

This is not to say that getting one of these degrees is wrong or a waste of time; if you’re passionate about one of these fields and are prepared to put in the necessary effort to succeed in it despite the difficulties that will arise when it comes time to find employment after graduation, go for it! However, if you want your educational investment to be worthwhile even after graduation, we advise looking into fields with higher demand while taking your interests into account.