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20 Degrees That Might Land You in Debt, Or a Dead-End Job

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Choosing the right college major is crucial to future career prospects and financial stability. Following your passion is great, but you really need to know how your degree will help or hurt your job prospects and financial future. To make an informed decision.

As if soaring educational expenses were not enough, some degrees will leave you with limited job opportunities. Weak job prospects and low starting salaries can affect your ability to repay student loans and reach financial stability.

Here are degrees that are financially risky and might land you in debt or a dead-end job. This isn’t meant to discourage you but rather give you an educated perspective on the choice of your education and career.

1. Fine Arts 

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If you’re into creativity and self-expression, this fine arts degree will prove to be very rewarding. However, fine artists and illustrators must compete for available jobs.

In reality, most of the graduates end up freelancing, working on commission, or in related fields such as graphic design, advertising, or education. There is the possibility for success, but it usually requires a lot of networking, self-promotion, and hard work.

2. Philosophy 

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Philosophy enforces critical thinking and is one of the most efficient choices for serious thinking about some very important questions in life. However, there aren’t many career options available for those majoring in philosophy outside the academic circle.

Many end up earning advanced degrees or changing fields altogether. While the skills acquired through a philosophy degree are valuable, they do not necessarily translate into lucrative careers.

3. Sociology 

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A degree in sociology can be exciting and offer you great insight into the human being and society. However, your interest in the field may suddenly evaporate when you think of how to repay your student debt.

Although this major offers you valuable knowledge, job prospects for those who study usually involve lower salaries. You can look for jobs in social services, education, or market research after your graduation.

4. Anthropology

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While anthropology is intellectually rewarding, it definitely is not a lucrative discipline. This generally puts graduates in a dilemma of limited job prospects, competing in fields like academia or museums.

Further study could also be required, causing more financial strain. Many anthropology graduates have turned to underpaid or completely different jobs. Therefore, the financial implications need to be evaluated before you choose the degree.

5. Communications 

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Communication degrees can lead to careers in media, public relations, and advertising, but these jobs are highly competitive. Students often have to start with unpaid internships or low-paying jobs because the job market is saturated.

To succeed, networking, additional streams of income, experience in the field of choice, and updates on new trends should be the way to go. Specialized skills in certain areas will help you become more employable and stand out from the crowd.

6. Theater Arts 

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A degree in theater arts is the perfect way to go if you are into acting, directing, or working backstage in entertainment. However, the job market is very competitive and often doesn’t offer regular work. Unfortunately, well-paying positions are few and far between.

Due to irregular work, you could face financial instability, forcing you to juggle several part-time or freelance jobs at any given time. Keeping a handle on your finances and being open to different career choices will help you ride the waves of this industry.

7. Religious Studies 

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Religious studies involves the study of different religions, their beliefs, practices, and histories. It can be quite an interesting subject to learn about, but job opportunities are minimal unless you teach in an academic circle or a church-related organization.

You may struggle a little to find good work. After all, it is a specialized field of expertise. Most jobs do not pay very high salaries, so you have to get a job in an unrelated field or gain other qualifications.

8. Music 

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A music degree could prove very satisfying if you want to perform, compose, or teach. The job market, however, is very hard to break into, as a lot of gigs pay very little.

You may be strapped for cash with irregular income and the associated expenses to maintain your education and practice. Many music graduates end up getting jobs that aren’t music-related. If you’re really committed, teaching, production, or other related fields can be a little easier to break into.

9. English Literature 

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An English literature degree helps you develop critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills. However, the job market is often limited to teaching, writing, or editorial roles, which can be low-paying and very competitive.

You might end up in unrelated jobs and struggle with student loans. To improve your earnings, you may need extra training or a career change, so effective career planning and budgeting are essential.

10. History 

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A history degree gives you a lot of knowledge of past events and cultures. Still, the usual job would be that of a teacher or researcher, which is quite competitive and mostly low-paying (especially starting out).

Well-paying jobs would be difficult to find, and financial strain may then set in. Most of these roles call for additional degrees or specializations, further increasing the cost of your education.

11. Graphic Design 

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In the job market, a graphic design degree can lead to creative work in advertising, publishing, or web design. However, in most cases, competition is high, and entry-level positions can be low-paying.

Freelance work is frequent, but the income may be irregular. Buying tools and software versus variable freelance pay can cause financial difficulties. Planning and building a solid portfolio will help overcome these challenges.

12. Journalism 

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Journalism will be the ideal career choice for you if you have a passion for storytelling and reporting. However, it’s in decline in terms of the current job market. The number of media outlets continues to decrease, while entry-level salaries are usually very low.

This means you may need to hold multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Enhance your chances by gaining experience through internships and building a professional network.

13. Environmental Studies

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Most of the environmental problems require an environmental studies background to solve, but the job prospects seem limited, and the pay is modest.

You might end up working for non-profits or government agencies; with this type of work, the issue will mostly be financial stability. Many positions may require graduate study or specialized certifications, which will raise your expenses. However, keep in mind that the growing focus on sustainability and reporting requirements on company’s footprints may change the job market in the near future.

14. Art History 

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Art history can help a person better understand art. Yet, in most cases, if a person wants this to become a job or career path, the answer lies within an educational institution, gallery, or museum.

Most of these jobs have low salaries, especially when starting out, and are highly competitive. To get a stable job, you may have to continue studying on the side, and the job market may be really tough to break into.

15. Women’s Studies 

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Women’s study majors focus on gender, feminism, and social justice. These degrees normally lead to jobs in academia or non-profits, where the work would consist of advocacy or community outreach positions, which are not really high-paying.

In other cases, qualifications or certifications are required to get better job opportunities in this sector. Proper financial planning and research of alternative careers are best for achieving stability and success.

16. Linguistics 

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Linguistics is the study of structure and the use of language. Although it may be an interesting subject, job opportunities are limited for people graduating with linguistics degrees. They very often end up in education, translation, or research.

All of these posts are highly competitive, which often means low salaries, adding to your financial challenges. You may need additional training or education to get better job prospects.

17. Archeology

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Archaeology brings to light the history of human civilization through excavation and analysis. However, archaeology jobs are few and mostly available to individuals holding advanced degrees.

Work in this area can also be seasonal, with so many archaeologists working on short-term projects or in institutions of learning where funding can be unpredictable. Since most archaeologists engage in seasonal or project-based work, the nature of the work usually puts them under financial strain.

18. Classical Studies

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Classical studies explore the languages, literature, and history of ancient civilizations, particularly in Roman and Greek. When it comes to jobs, however, opportunities are normally confined to lecturing in a university or another academic institute.

These careers are normally very competitive and not always well-paid, which can lead to financial problems. For better job prospects, a postgraduate qualification or further training might be necessary.

19. Creative Studies

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Creative studies involves exploring various forms of artistic expression, including visual arts, design, and media. Job opportunities can be limited and often include roles in creative industries, such as design or media production.

Jobs are competitive, and entry points are sometimes lower, which may lead to financial struggles. A little more experience or specialization might be needed to move you to better career prospects. Especially fields like digital media or UX design are really looking for people right now, which can improve your job prospects instantly.

20. Performing Arts

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Performing arts involves dance, theatre, and music, and they give most individuals an avenue for self-expression. However, jobs tend to be irregular, and competition is a given to get a permanent position.

Most of these artists have to look for other jobs to supplement their paying jobs. For this reason, a lot of graduates go toward choreography, directing, or production for a more stable income.

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