Many College Degrees Are Now Useless—Here's What Is Worth Your Money

When reality bites.  Or, those Harvard degrees just ain't worth what they used to be.

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T

TikTok millionaires and AI tools make college look like an overpriced relic, so it's fair to ask: are degrees even worth it anymore? The answer? Some absolutely are—and some absolutely are not.

The key is relevance. If you invest four (or more) years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars, you better make sure you're walking away with something more than just a piece of paper and a student loan the size of a mortgage.

As the value of a four-year degree is increasingly questioned, public perception is shifting to match: nearly half of Americans believe it's less important for securing a well-paying job than it was two decades ago according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. Major companies like Apple, IBM and Hilton have eliminated degree requirements for many roles, opting instead to evaluate candidates based on their experience and practical skills. A 2022 study by the Burning Glass Institute revealed that millions of job postings have dropped bachelor's degree requirements, and a 2020 analysis found a similar trend for positions like production supervisors. These shifts signal a growing recognition that a general college education often fails to deliver the specific competencies employers need today.

Pew's survey also found that more than half of college graduates are underemployed, working in roles that neither require a degree nor utilize the knowledge they paid the universities to acquire. Even a decade after graduation, 45% remain in such positions.

Experts predict this trend will continue, with alternative credentials, certifications and hands-on training gaining more relevance. By 2031, while most jobs will demand some form of postsecondary education, that doesn't necessarily mean a bachelor's degree, and for many careers, it may no longer be the smartest path.

"In today's competitive landscape, college students must be more strategic about their education," states Dr. Walter L. Tarver, III, founder of T3 Group, an educational consulting company. "When deciding between a liberal arts degree or a specialized degree, one must objectively weigh the return on investment."

5 Degrees That No Longer Hold Up

So, which degrees are losing relevance fast? With over a decade of experience in higher education as a professor and staff member, I noticed that some degrees often fell short of providing job-ready value unless supplemented with practical, hands-on skills.

General Liberal Arts (With No Clear Direction)

Philosophy, history and English sound noble, but unless you pair them with a strong second major or a clear plan like teaching, they often leave graduates directionless. The biggest gaps are digital fluency and job-specific training. Most liberal arts programs don't cover the tools modern workplaces run on, like Excel, SQL, project management platforms or basic marketing and analytics software.

Visual And Performing Arts

Unless you're at Juilliard or already breaking through on your own, degrees in acting, dance or fine art often end in debt and disappointment. The industry rewards talent, not diplomas. Graduates are rarely taught how to navigate the business side of the arts: branding, networking, freelancing or managing contracts and finances.

Communications

Once considered a solid fallback, a broad communications degree has lost its edge. Unless integrated with a specialization like digital marketing, media production or public relations, it often lacks the technical execution and measurable outcomes employers demand. Knowing how to write or speak well is a star. Still, you must show that you can run ad campaigns on platforms like Google Ads, analyze engagement using tools like HubSpot and create content tailored to SEO or social media algorithms.

Gender Studies, Ethnic Studies And Similar Fields

Important conversations? Absolutely. Marketable degrees? Not often. These majors lack a clearly defined job market outside of academia, and even that path is oversaturated. While exploring critical social issues, they rarely provide practical training for policy, community organizing or nonprofit leadership roles.

General Psychology Or Sociology (Undergrad Only)

Psychology and sociology are fascinating, but a bachelor's alone won't get you far. Most roles in these fields are off-limits without a doctorate, leaving many graduates underemployed. What's missing? Applied experience and specialized credentials. To make these degrees more marketable, students should consider pursuing credentials such as a social work certification or behavioral health technician training.

From coding to skilled trades, today's job market rewards what you can do—not just what you studied. (getty)

Here's What's Working Now

Tarver has held leadership positions in his 28 years in higher education, including director of career services at a university. He continues to explain, "Specialized degrees tend to provide students with direct preparation for their field, as the tangible knowledge and experience required is typically built into the curriculum. When pursuing generic [liberal arts] degrees however, the degree alone is not sufficient enough to stand out. It is imperative that a liberal arts degree be bundled with experiential learning opportunities that will enhance students' employability prospects while also allowing them to gain invaluable insights and skills that can set them apart in their chosen fields. In this way, the journey through higher education transforms from mere academic achievement into a powerful tool for shaping futures."

Computer Science And IT

This field is booming, from AI to app development. It's versatile, high-paying and cuts across nearly every industry. The average salary for software developers is around $120,000 per year, with higher pay for specialized roles in AI and cybersecurity, depending on location. To level up, learn languages like JavaScript and SQL. Get certified in AWS, Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure.

Where to start:

• Certifications—Coursera, CompTIA
• Jobs—Dice.com, LinkedIn

Nursing

Nursing and allied health roles are in constant demand and hard to automate. Registered nurses average $82,000 annually, with higher pay for specialties and advanced practice roles. Get licensed via NCLEX-RN, then pursue advanced certifications like FNP, CEN or CCRN. Allied health paths like radiologic technology or respiratory therapy offer strong starting salaries and job stability.

Where to start:

• Certifications—Nursing.org, HealthCareerCerts.org
• Jobs—Incredible Health, Health eCareers

Engineering

Mechanical, civil, electrical or aerospace engineering careers are stable and essential. The average salary across disciplines is around $95,000 yearly, with top earners well into six figures. Internships are critical. Tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks and Python are musts. Certifications like the Engineer in Training (EIT) and the Professional Engineer (PE) license are keys to long-term growth.

Where to start:

• Certifications—NCEES (EIT/PE licenses), ASME
• Jobs—EngineerJobs.com, Indeed

Skilled Trades And Technical Certifications

Skilled trades are booming, and they don't come with $100,000 plus in student debt. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders and plumbers average $80,000 a year, often with the potential to earn six figures through specialization or self-employment. Start with trade school or apprenticeships, then pursue certifications like EPA 608, NCCER or state licenses.

Where to start:

• Certifications—NCCER, HVAC Excellence
• Jobs—Tradesmen International, BlueRecruit

Business (But Make It Specialized)

Specialized business degrees pay off. Finance, analytics and supply chain roles are in high demand, with average salaries of $100,000 annually. CPAs and CFAs are sought-after in finance. Certifications like Google Data Analytics, Microsoft Power BI and Tableau matter in analytics, and the APICS CPIM and CSCP are top-tier credentials for supply chains.

Where to start:

• Certifications—Coursera, APICS
• Jobs—HBR Ascend, LinkedIn

Education (STEM And Special Ed)

Teaching isn't one-size-fits-all. STEM and special education teachers are in especially high demand. Average salaries for K-12 teachers vary by state but range from $50,000-to $70,000 annually, with additional pay or bonuses for STEM and special ed certifications. Get licensed in your state, and consider credentials like CSET (STEM) or a Master's in Special Education.

Where to start:

• Certifications—Teachers of Tomorrow, edX Teacher Training
• Jobs—K12JobSpot, SchoolSpring

Not everyone needs—or wants—a four-year college degree unless you're aiming for fields like medicine or law. In today's market, it's not the diploma that matters most; it's what you can actually do.