Most Regretted & Least Regretted College Majors

Almost half of all job seekers with college degrees regret their field of study.  That’s the news from a recent “Personal Finance” report on CNBC.  The most regretted college majors are reportedly Journalism, Sociology, Liberal Arts/General Studies, Communications, Education, Marketing Management & Research, Medical/Clinical Assisting, Political Science & Government, Biology, and English Language & Literature. Between 87% (for Journalism) and 52% (for English Language & Literature) of graduates with these majors reportedly said they would choose a different one if they had it all to do over.  Statistics were cited from a ZipRecruiter’s survey.

 

While students may have a passion for these fields while in college, reality often sets in after graduation when they seek well-paying jobs to launch independent lives and cover their living expenses.  According to CNBC, most graduates who regret their choice of major say they would choose Computer Science or Business Administration if they were making the decision today. The main reason is the large discrepancy in salary.  With an average starting salary of almost $100,000, Computer Science majors were reportedly the happiest overall.

ZipRecruiter reported that graduates entering the workforce with good career prospects and high starting salaries are the most satisfied with their field of study. The least regretted college majors, which graduates would choose all over again, are reportedly Computer & Information Sciences, Criminology, Engineering, Nursing, Health, Business Administration & Management, Finance, Psychology, Construction Trades, and Human Resources Management.

 

Students with the top-paying college majors earn $3.4 million more than those with the lowest-paying majors over the course of a lifetime, according to CNBC.  

 

But regardless of the major, earning a degree is almost always worthwhile, according to The College Payoff, a report from the Georgetown University Center of Education and the Workforce.  The report stated that bachelor’s degree holders generally earn 84% more than those with just a high school diploma. Furthermore, the higher the level of education, the larger the payoff.  

 

But the Georgetown Center agrees that the choice of one’s major can have a striking effect on career earnings.  “Students who pursue majors specifically in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – collectively known as STEM disciplines – are projected to earn the most overall.” 

Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362