Low Wages: 13 College Majors To Avoid Like The Plague

The Millennial Generation of college students/graduates has really gotten the short-end of the stick. For those who have already graduated from college or are close to it, they were likely unaware of the consequences of the degree they chose. Related: The Frightening Fact New Grads Should Know Before Entering The Workforce Just one generation ago (Generation X), there used to be a joke that you could get a college degree in just about anything and still get a high paying job. That joke was partially true. In the 90’s, America’s middle class and business sector was booming. Employers needed an educated workforce, and many of them didn’t care what degree you had, just as long as you had one. Not anymore. The gig is up. College students can no longer use the excuse that they didn’t know their degree was worthless. Throughout the past four years, there have been dozens of articles and talk show segments about the high percentage of Millennials who have graduated with degrees in fields that had little hope for high paying job prospects, if any at all. Don’t let this happen to you. Don’t become a victim. As a disclaimer, it’s worth noting that success and happiness isn’t just centered around monetary gain. If you happen to choose a career field that fulfills you, then congratulations. Just be sure you have a solid personal finance strategy to offset your low wages so that you’re properly prepared for retirement. If money is important to you, don’t say you weren’t warned. Here are the top 13 college majors you should avoid like the plague:

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13. Theology:

Common job: Chaplain Starting median pay: $36,800 Mid-career median pay: $51,600 Difference: $14,800 / 40%

12. Social Work:

Starting median pay: $32,800 Mid-career median pay: $46,600 Difference: $13,800 / 42%

11. Nutrition:

Starting median pay: $41,700 Mid-career median pay: $56,400 Difference: $14,700 / 35%

10. Horticulture:

Starting median pay: $35,200 Mid-career median pay: $47,700 Difference: $12,500 / 36%

9. Special Education:

Starting median pay: $34,500 Mid-career median pay: $46,800 Difference: $12,300 / 36%

8. Recreation & Leisure Studies:

Starting median pay: $35,800 Mid-career median pay: $47,100 Difference: $11,300 / 32%

7. Medical Technology:

Starting median pay: $47,800 Mid-career median pay: $60,200 Difference: $12,400 / 26% 6. Athletic Training: Starting median pay: $35,000 Mid-career median pay: $45,900 Difference: $10,900 / 31%

5. Pastoral Ministry:

Starting median pay: $36,300 Mid-career median pay: $46,000 Difference: $9,700 / 27%

4. Clinical Laboratory Science:

Starting median pay: $48,000 Mid-career median pay: $59,900 Difference: $11,900 / 25%

3. Early Childhood & Elementary Education:

Starting median pay: $32,300 Mid-career median pay: $40,400 Difference: $8,100 / 25%

2. Human Services:

Starting median pay: $33,800 Mid-career median pay: $41,300 Difference: $7,500 / 22%

1. Child Development:

Starting median pay: $32,200 Mid-career median pay: $36,400 Difference: $4,200 / 13%   Info source: Business Insider

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About the author

Michael Price is the author of What Next? The Millennial's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Real World, endorsed by Barbara Corcoran of ABC's Shark Tank. He is also the founder of Conquer Career Course, where he teaches students how to increase their salary, build a career with longevity and become unemployment-proof. View the trailer below:     Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.Photo Credit: Shutterstock