So, before we get started with our listicle of the least valuable college degrees, let’s make one thing crystal clear: all forms of education are absolutely precious. 

While these degrees are excellent for education and shaping your mindset, they might not be the most practical for securing a stable, well-paying job. Strictly speaking in a practical sense, these college degrees can be viewed as rather pointless when it comes to making it in the real world. 

If you’re striving for a successful career path, which college degrees are the least useful? 

Gender Studies Degree

I’ll begin by saying that Gender Studies can completely transform your perspective on the world. During my time at a Liberal Arts school, I had the opportunity to take several of these courses, and it was a real eye-opener. I had a light bulb moment as I learned the many ways in which men and women are treated differently.

You might be thinking, Yeah, no duh, but the sheer amount of everyday misogyny and sexism I hadn’t noticed before was truly eye-opening. While these courses provided me with valuable insights into gender-related issues, I can’t say it’s the most practical degree for building a solid job path. Sure, it will deepen your understanding of third-wave feminism and social dynamics, but will it help you secure the career of your dreams right out of college? 

Ehhhhhh. Debatable.

That being said, if Gender Studies is something you’re truly passionate about and eager to explore, don’t let this discourage you. There are always opportunities, no matter what major you choose. For example, a Gender Studies degree can be incredibly valuable if you’re looking to work in HR. Your background will give you unique insights into gender-related behaviors that others may not have, setting you apart in the field.  

Film School Degree

Don’t get me wrong, film school is an absolute blast. I should know, since I attended one. Although I didn’t major in film studies, I got to take several basic classes and they were so creative and completely compelling. 

But in my experience, despite enjoying these classes, I started to feel uneasy. Something about spending an entire class period watching Sunset Boulevard rubbed me the wrong way. Although I consider the old Hollywood classic one of the greatest films ever made, I couldn’t help but squirm in my seat at the thought of the steep cost of higher education. And there I was plopped in front of a screen watching a movie I could have seen at home for free.

While I find it riveting to learn about the artistic meaning behind a “dutch camera angle” or “the rule of thirds”, it won’t exactly pay my rent. It does, however, make me feel all snobby and pretentious whenever I’m watching a movie with friends. I can point out when the cinematographer used “rack focus” in the shot to draw the viewer into the mise en scène. My pals’ response is to pelt me with popcorn.   

Again, if Film Studies is something you’re super-duper passionate about and you dream about being the next Gerwig or Scorcese, fear not! This education path can be seriously helpful if you’re serious about this as a long-term career and if you have a bottomless bank account. 

As long as you can endure serving as a low-paid PA for a few years out of college while taking coffee orders on a film set, you’re in the right place. All in good time, before your eventual directorial debut.

Drama Degree

Pursuing an educational path in the Dramatic Arts can be incredibly exciting. But is it practical? Nuh-uh. Making it as a performer is an extremely challenging, harrowing, and totally thankless journey. Heck, most performers never make it at all. But if you want to get real about your future and have no interest in putting “Starving Artist” on your resume, it might be time to look elsewhere. 

So, whether you become the next Broadway sensation, the most Oscar-buzzing film star, or a mere extra in a musical sketch on a third-rate cruise line, as long as you do what you love, you’ll be fulfilled. Remember: there are no small parts, only small actors. And there are no small college degrees — only small graduates!

Creative Writing Degree 

Okay, so here’s where things get personal: I graduated with a degree in creative writing. While I’m genuinely thrilled about how my degree is shaping my career, there were times back then during my studies when the classes felt semi-pointless to me.

The fact of the matter is, art is so subjective. Writing is even more so. So the notion of grading our work with a standard system feels completely out of place. If I pour my heart and soul into a creative writing assignment and end up with a B-  (still salty about that one a decade later), it feels like my attempt at self-expression is being judged in an unfair and overly rigid way. The concept of “learning” to do it the right way — especially since writing is so personal and subjective — makes the whole degree kinda pointless IMO.    

Philosophy Degree 

To be a Philosophy Major? Or not to be a Philosophy Major? That is the question. The truth is, there are few subjects more valuable in life than philosophy. It teaches you to think for yourself, to understand nuance and wisdom, and to view life through a paradoxical lens. I’m truly passionate about everything philosophy stands for, and if I had all the time in the world, I’d spend it contemplating Socrates and Plato.

Sadly, I don’t have that time. And neither do most fast-paced businesses and corporations. In today’s day and age of rise-and-grind, people are more focused on results in order to make a living rather than contemplation.   

Many argue that philosophy can be a fantastic degree to have if you go on to become a lawyer. So if that’s something you’ve always considered, a philosophy degree can help you gain perspective and wisdom from a multitude of different angles. 

Psychology Degree

Psychology is freakin’ awesome. It’s pretty much all I talk about at dinner parties and social gatherings — much to the chagrin of my pals. But knowing all the function stacks in your Myers Briggs Psychology results, and being an expert on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs rarely puts food in the fridge or a roof over your head. 

However, if you’re certain that Psychology is your true calling and you’re eager to dive deep into the subject, don’t worry! There are plenty of fulfilling career paths that align perfectly with this degree. While they may not make you a millionaire, the personal rewards they offer are priceless.

Having a Psych Degree can be ideal for positions such as therapist, guidance counselor, crisis line counselor, HR, hospital administration, and even sales.