Degree holders regret most English as a major area of study in a survey of 250,000 American college graduates. In contrast, students who pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering, and math, collectively known as STEM, are projected to have less career regret and earn the most.
The survey of 250,000 Americans who hold at least a bachelor’s degree highlighted the fact that two-thirds have a major regret relating to their college chosen area of study.
Degrees most regretted by graduates
Humanities top the list of disciplines that students major in and regret that choice. Indeed, more than one in five people who majored in humanities, which includes specific majors like English and history say they regret that choice.
Other disciplines that college graduates regret choosing to include physical and life sciences, social sciences, education, communications, and Art.
The biggest regrets for college graduates are the huge debts they racked up. Student loan debt rose from $600 billion a decade ago to more than $1.4 trillion by the end of 2018.
While the second most regretted part of the respondents’ college experience is what they majored in. More than one in 10 people say their chosen area of study is their biggest educational regret.
A college degree that is commonly thought to be a significant investment for a better, richer life actually doesn’t always work out that way. Many experts believe that the value of a bachelor’s degree is fading.
Starting salaries for new college graduates have grown less than 1 percent over the past few years, while decade after leaving school, more than 1 in 5 graduates are working in a job that doesn’t even require a degree.
Degree with the lowest level of regret
Computer science and engineering degree holders have the lowest level of regret with just 4 percent and 8 percent, respectively, saying they regretted their decision.
The survey held that college graduates who focused on technical or high-earnings fields have the fewest regrets, mostly those who majored in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Overall, the study finds that older generations, people with higher education levels, and those who majored in fields with higher earning jobs have the fewest regrets about their college experience.
Bachelor’s degree holders earn more
The report also added that Bachelor’s degree holders generally earned 84 percent more than those with just a high school diploma, adding that a higher level of educational attainment equals a larger payoff.
It was revealed that students who pursue a STEM discipline (science, technology, engineering, and math) are projected to earn the most overall.
Closely following STEM disciplines are health and business majors who are also among the highest paying and significantly greater when compared to liberal arts and humanities majors.
ZipRecruiter published a survey explaining that income isn’t the only consideration when it comes to career choice regret. They noted that satisfaction, stress level, and job availability, among other factors, are the reason many college students regret choosing spanned the arts and sciences.
English, communications, biological sciences and law also made the list, pertaining to more than 5,000 college graduates who were looking for a job.
