The 14 worst-paying college majors, 5 years after graduation

Liberal arts and education majors tend to earn some of the lowest salaries right after college, according to a February report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Based on 2024 U.S. Census data, the most recent available, the analysis shows that full-time workers ages 22 to 27 who majored in theology, performing arts, social services and education report some of the lowest median earnings early in their careers.

Graduates with these degrees all earn a median of $45,000 a year or less — below the individual U.S median income of $45,140, according to Census Bureau data.

Teachers and other education professionals are typically paid by state and local governments, where wage growth tends to lag the private sector. While those roles often offer job stability, defined pensions and summer breaks, a 2025 report from the Economic Policy Institute finds teachers earn less than other college-educated workers with comparable levels of education and experience.

And generally speaking, liberal arts and social service majors often enter nonprofit, public-sector or service-oriented roles, which historically offer lower pay than technical fields tied to high-demand industries such as engineering or computer science.

In contrast, most engineering majors make $75,000 or more five years after graduating from college. Those median income rise to $100,000 or more by ages 35 to 45, with chemical engineering majors earning the most at $135,000 annually.

Here are the 14 majors that lead to the lowest median incomes for workers ages 22 to 27:

1. Pharmacy: $40,000
2. Theology and religion: $41,600
3. Social services: $43,000
4. Performing arts: $44,000
5. General education: $45,000
6. Early childhood education: $45,000
7. Elementary education: $45,000
8. Liberal arts: $45,000
9. Biology: $45,000
10. Leisure and hospitality: $45,000
11. Psychology: $45,000
12. Anthropology: $45,000
13. Art history: $45,000
14. Fine arts: $45,000

It's worth noting that these figures reflect workers whose highest degree is a bachelor's, so the data doesn't include licensed pharmacists, who earn a median of $137,480 annually, per BLS data. Becoming a pharmacist requires a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and state licensure. A bachelor's degree alone does not qualify someone to practice, according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

Pharmacy's place at the bottom of the early-career rankings doesn't last. By mid-career — ages 35 to 45 — pharmacy majors earn a median of $85,000, more than double their early-career pay. The data reflects workers by major rather than job title, so not every pharmacy graduate is earning the typical six-figure salary for licensed pharmacists.

Instead, education fields remain clustered near the bottom a decade into workers' careers. Here's a look at the 15 majors held by full-time workers ages 35 to 45 who report the lowest median earnings, all below $75,000:

1. Early childhood education: $52,000
2. Elementary education: $55,000
3. General education: $56,000
4. Special education: $56,000
5. Social services: $60,000
6. Miscellaneous education: $60,000
7. Secondary education: $62,000
8. Anthropology: $65,000
9. Family and consumer sciences: $65,000
10. Theology and religion: $66,000
11. Health services: $67,000
12. Nutrition sciences: $70,000
13. Treatment therapy: $70,000
14. Psychology: $72,000
15. Fine arts: $72,000

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