College is often described as a time for young people to explore their interests and passions. But following your passion doesn’t always pay the bills. According to recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, graduates who studied education, social work, or the arts earn the lowest median income within five years after college.
Students who major in foreign languages earn the lowest salary among early-career college graduates, with a median yearly income of $40,000. Graduates in general social sciences earn about $41,000, while performing arts majors make slightly more, with a median income of $41,900. Anthropology and early childhood education graduates also earn on the lower end, around $42,000 per year.
While knowing a foreign language can be valuable, it doesn’t always lead to a high-paying job. Many people can now learn a language without a formal degree. Those who major in foreign languages often enter lower-paying fields, like public service or translation.
Even when these graduates move into mid-career roles, their salaries still lag behind those in tech-focused fields. Early childhood education graduates earn the lowest mid-career salaries, around $49,000 per year, while elementary education graduates earn about $53,000.
Students in STEM fields, such as engineering or computer science, typically earn more because their skills are in high demand in well-paying industries like finance and technology.
Here’s a breakdown of the lowest-paying degrees for early-career graduates:
- Foreign language: $40,000
- General social sciences: $41,000
- Performing arts: $41,900
- Anthropology: $42,000
- Early childhood education: $42,000
- Family and consumer sciences: $42,000
- General education: $42,000
- Miscellaneous biological science: $42,000
- Social services: $42,000
- Theology and religion: $42,000
And the lowest-paying degrees for mid-career graduates are:
- Early childhood education: $49,000
- Elementary education: $53,000
- Social services: $54,000
- General education: $55,000
- Special education: $55,000
- Secondary education: $58,000
- Theology and religion: $60,000
- Miscellaneous education: $60,000
- Family and consumer sciences: $62,000
- Health services: $65,000
