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New data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, current as of May 2025, shows the college degrees with the highest unemployment rates in the U.S. workforce, which could reshape how young adults approach their education and career paths, according to Visual Capitalist.Â
At the top of the list, anthropology majors face a staggering 9.4% unemployment rate, the highest among 20 fields examined. Close behind are fine arts and sociology graduates, with unemployment rates of 7.0% and 6.7%. Despite these fields often offering mid-career salaries around $70,000, job security remains elusive.
Surprisingly, some of the best-paying degrees do not guarantee steady work. Computer engineering majors make an impressive median income of $122,000 by mid-career, yet 7.5% remain unemployed. Physics and computer science also boast six-figure salaries but come with unemployment rates of 7.8% and 6.1%, respectively.
Degrees in commercial art and graphic design show similar patterns, combining a 7.2% unemployment rate with median earnings near $75,000.
On the other end of the spectrum, many liberal arts majors continue to face a harsh reality where pay and job prospects do not align. English language, history, and liberal arts graduates typically earn between $70,000 and $77,000 in mid-career but struggle with unemployment rates ranging from 4.6% to 5.3%. Communications and journalism degrees offer slightly higher earnings, around $85,000, paired with unemployment rates just below 4.5%.
Fields such as economics, political science, and international affairs bring stronger salaries often exceeding $90,000. However, these areas still wrestle with moderate unemployment, generally between 4.7% and 5.5%.
These numbers accentuate an important truth: a high paycheck does not always equal job security. As the job market changes and adapts to new demands, students must weigh not just earning potential but also the likelihood of landing and keeping a job when choosing their majors.
College Degrees with the Highest Unemployment Rates (2025)
Sorted by unemployment rate (highest to lowest)
Mid-career income = average income ages 35–45
| Rank | Degree | Unemployment Rate | Mid-Career Income |
| 1 | Anthropology | 9.4% | $70,000 |
| 2 | Physics | 7.8% | $100,000 |
| 3 | Computer Engineering | 7.5% | $122,000 |
| 4 | Commercial Art & Graphic Design | 7.2% | $75,000 |
| 5 | Fine Arts | 7.0% | $70,000 |
| 6 | Sociology | 6.7% | $70,000 |
| 7 | Computer Science | 6.1% | $115,000 |
| 8 | Chemistry | 6.1% | $90,000 |
| 9 | Information Systems & Management | 5.6% | $100,000 |
| 10 | Public Policy and Law | 5.5% | $75,000 |
| 11 | Liberal Arts | 5.3% | $70,000 |
| 12 | Miscellaneous Technologies | 5.0% | $92,000 |
| 13 | International Affairs | 4.9% | $100,000 |
| 14 | English Language | 4.9% | $70,000 |
| 15 | Economics | 4.9% | $110,000 |
| 16 | Political Science | 4.7% | $90,000 |
| 17 | Industrial Engineering | 4.6% | $108,000 |
| 18 | History | 4.6% | $77,000 |
| 19 | Communications | 4.5% | $85,000 |
| 20 | Journalism | 4.4% | $85,000 |
