Anthropology, the scientific study of humanity and its diversity, is the major with the highest unemployment rate at 9.4%, according to a report released earlier this year by The Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
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A software engineer works on a computer. Photo by Unsplash/arifriyanto |
The median wage in early career of students in this major is $42,000, which can go up to $70,000 in mid-career, said the report, which analyzed data from 2023 by the Census Bureau.
Physics major comes second at 7.8%, with an early career salary of $70,000 that can extend to $100,000 by mid-career.
In the third place is computer engineering with an employment rate of 7.5%.
Commercial art and graphic design comes fourth at 7.2% and fine arts rounds up the list at 7%.
Daniel Zhao, the lead economist at job platform Glassdoor, told Business Insider that despite the relatively high unemployment data, computer science and engineering are still appealing because of the high pay they could lead to.
Students in computer majors can expect a high salary range thanks to the deep pockets of the tech industry.
Computer engineering ranks among the top majors in median wage in early career at $80,000, along with computer science and chemical engineering.
“When you look at the higher unemployment rate but the lower underemployment rate, new grads in computing fields are likely holding out, waiting for that first job in the field, because they know how rewarding it can be,” Zhao said.
Human resource consultant Bryan Driscoll, said that many students hold unrealistic beliefs about the assurances a computer science degree provides. This major often overlaps with computer engineering in many universities.
He noted that despite their dedication and selection of a “top” major, numerous graduates encounter fierce competition, scarce job opportunities, and mounting student debt, he told Newsweek.
Driscoll further stated that in today’s job market, a candidate’s background or the prestige of their university often overshadows their actual abilities.
This pattern underscores a widening disconnect between the perceived worth and real-world outcomes of certain degrees, prompting a need for students and educators to reevaluate career advice and expectations in the dynamic employment landscape.
Overall, the unemployment rate for recent U.S. college graduates rose to 5.8% in March, up from 4.6% a year earlier.
