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The 10 Toughest Majors for Finding Jobs After College in 2026
As you navigate your college degree options, you might be wondering which majors will lead to a successful career. You’re not alone; many students share this concern. With countless choices available—from technology to the arts—it’s essential to consider how your passion aligns with job prospects.
Choosing a degree can feel overwhelming, especially with options like architecture, engineering, education, art, political science, pre-med, or business. You might even be contemplating less conventional paths like forestry preservation or art restoration. Ultimately, you want to ensure that your interests lead to a career that allows you to thrive financially.
At Zippia, we’re here to guide you through these decisions. So, which majors are associated with the highest unemployment rates in 2026?
- Library Science
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Industrial Production Technologies
- General Social Sciences
- Geological and Geophysical Engineering
- Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
- Other Foreign Languages
- Cosmetology Services and Culinary Arts
- Studio Arts
In our digital age, the demand for traditional library services has diminished, leading to a decline in library-related jobs. As libraries transition to cloud-based resources like OverDrive, the need for librarians continues to decrease.
The presence of social sciences and interdisciplinary studies on this list is unsurprising, as these degrees are often linked with challenging job markets.
Curious about metallurgical engineering? This major may sound niche, but it’s essential to understand its implications for your career. Read on for a detailed exploration of the top 10 majors with the highest unemployment rates.
How We Determined the Most Challenging Majors to Secure Employment
Utilizing recent Census data, we analyzed graduation rates for various majors. Our focus was on individuals aged 22 to 25 who have recently graduated and are actively seeking work.
We calculated the unemployment rates for each major based on the percentage of graduates who were employed versus those who were not. The majors with higher unemployment rates appear higher on our list.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of our top ten majors, along with their respective unemployment percentages.
1. Library Sciences
Unemployment Rate: 11.78%
With the rise of digital information sources, the need for traditional librarians has diminished significantly. This has resulted in a concerning unemployment rate for library science graduates.
However, if you secure a position as a librarian, the average annual salary is around $54,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2. Metallurgical Engineering
Unemployment Rate: 10.53%
Metallurgical engineering involves the study of metals, including their extraction and processing. Despite its importance, graduates in this field face significant challenges in securing employment, likely due to automation and technological advancements.
3. Nuclear Engineering
Unemployment Rate: 10.11%
Nuclear engineering is vital in the transition to sustainable energy sources. Nevertheless, graduates experience high unemployment rates, suggesting a disconnect between educational training and job market needs.
4. Industrial Production Technologies
Unemployment Rate: 8.24%
Graduates in this field aim to optimize resource utilization. However, a notable percentage are unemployed, reflecting broader economic trends and job market shifts.
5. General Social Sciences
Unemployment Rate: 7.66%
This broad field encompasses various disciplines, providing a well-rounded education but often leading to difficulties in securing focused employment opportunities.
6. Geological and Geophysical Engineering
Unemployment Rate: 7.26%
Specializing in resource extraction, graduates face a challenging job market despite the ongoing importance of natural resource management.
7. Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Unemployment Rate: 6.88%
While this degree aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of various social science fields, it often falls short in job market appeal.
8. Foreign Languages
Unemployment Rate: 6.23%
Graduates in foreign languages typically excel when combined with another major. However, those solely focused on language studies may struggle to find employment.
9. Cosmetology Services and Culinary Arts
Unemployment Rate: 5.91%
These fields are part of the professional services sector, yet job prospects remain limited, with nearly 6% of graduates unemployed.
10. Studio Arts
Unemployment Rate: 5.88%
While pursuing a degree in the arts can be fulfilling, studio arts graduates still face significant unemployment challenges, highlighting the competitive nature of the creative field.
Conclusion: Navigating the Job Market After Graduation
These are the top 10 majors associated with the highest unemployment rates. If you’re considering a degree, it’s wise to explore fields with better job prospects, such as pharmacology, military technology, teacher education, and transportation engineering.
However, passion should not be overlooked. Pursuing a degree in art or social sciences can still be rewarding. A double major or complementary minor may enhance your employability while allowing you to follow your interests.
Detailed Ranking of the Hardest Majors to Get a Job After College
| Rank | Major | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Library Science | 11.78% |
| 2 | Metallurgical Engineering | 10.53% |
| 3 | Nuclear Engineering | 10.11% |
| 4 | Industrial Production Technologies | 8.24% |
| 5 | General Social Sciences | 7.66% |
| 6 | Geological and Geophysical Engineering | 7.26% |
| 7 | Interdisciplinary Social Sciences | 6.88% |
| 8 | Other Foreign Languages | 6.23% |
| 9 | Cosmetology Services and Culinary Arts | 5.91% |
| 10 | Studio Arts | 5.88% |
| 11 | Visual and Performing Arts | 5.36% |
| 12 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 5.32% |
| 13 | Electrical, Mechanical, and Precision Technologies | 5.17% |
| 14 | Miscellaneous Social Sciences | 5.14% |
| 15 | Environmental Science | 5.09% |
| 16 | Science and Computer Teacher Education | 4.9% |
| 17 | Fine Arts | 4.87% |
| 18 | Public Policy | 4.6% |
| 19 | Miscellaneous Fine Arts | 4.52% |
| 20 | Public Administration | 4.5% |
| 21 | Petroleum Engineering | 4.29% |
| 22 | Area Ethnic and Civilization Studies | 4.21% |
| 23 | Applied Mathematics | 4.14% |
| 24 | Criminology | 4.09% |
| 25 | Food Science | 4.01% |
| 26 | Miscellaneous Engineering Technologies | 3.97% |
| 27 | Oceanography | 3.88% |
| 28 | Neuroscience | 3.88% |
| 29 | Advertising and Public Relations | 3.87% |
| 30 | Philosophy and Religious Studies | 3.87% |
| 31 | Sociology | 3.85% |
| 32 | Molecular Biology | 3.81% |
| 33 | Social Psychology | 3.8% |
| 34 | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 3.74% |
| 35 | Drama and Theater Arts | 3.69% |
| 36 | Miscellaneous Biology | 3.65% |
| 37 | Health and Medical Preparatory Programs | 3.57% |
| 38 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3.56% |
| 39 | Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.53% |
| 40 | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | 3.52% |
| 41 | Art and Music Education | 3.46% |
| 42 | Ecology | 3.44% |
| 43 | Actuarial Science | 3.44% |
| 44 | History | 3.43% |
| 45 | Geology and Earth Science | 3.38% |
| 46 | Intercultural and International Studies | 3.36% |
| 47 | General Medical and Health Services | 3.35% |
| 48 | Political Science and Government | 3.31% |
| 49 | Commercial Art and Graphic Design | 3.28% |
| 50 | International Relations | 3.27% |
| 51 | Liberal Arts | 3.2% |
| 52 | Mass Media | 3.2% |
| 53 | Film Video and Photographic Arts | 3.19% |
| 54 | Nutrition Sciences | 3.16% |
| 55 | Chemical Engineering | 3.15% |
| 56 | Engineering Mechanics Physics and Science | 3.12% |
| 57 | Information Sciences | 3.09% |
| 58 | Computer Networking and Telecommunications | 3.04% |
| 59 | Humanities | 3.01% |
| 60 | English Language and Literature | 2.99% |
| 61 | Anthropology and Archeology | 2.98% |
| 62 | Linguistics and Comparative Language and Literature | 2.95% |
| 63 | Journalism | 2.94% |
| 64 | Secondary Teacher Education | 2.89% |
| 65 | Soil Science | 2.85% |
| 66 | Community and Public Health | 2.84% |
| 67 | Communications | 2.8% |
| 68 | Business Economics | 2.74% |
| 69 | Architecture | 2.73% |
| 70 | Microbiology | 2.72% |
| 71 | Economics | 2.7% |
| 72 | Art History and Criticism | 2.66% |
| 73 | Psychology | 2.65% |
| 74 | Electrical Engineering | 2.64% |
| 75 | Hospitality Management | 2.63% |
| 76 | Physical and Health Education Teaching | 2.61% |
| 77 | Cognitive Science and Biopsychology | 2.61% |
| 78 | International Business | 2.6% |
| 79 | Materials Engineering and Materials Science | 2.56% |
| 80 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 2.56% |
| 81 | Physical Fitness Parks Recreation and Leisure | 2.55% |
| 82 | French German Latin and Other Common Foreign Language Studies | 2.53% |
| 83 | Business Management and Administration | 2.52% |
| 84 | Miscellaneous Business & Medical Administration | 2.49% |
| 85 | Criminal Justice and Fire Protection | 2.38% |
| 86 | Finance | 2.37% |
| 87 | Family and Consumer Sciences | 2.37% |
| 88 | Biology | 2.35% |
| 89 | Theology and Religious Vocations | 2.33% |
| 90 | Communication Technologies | 2.33% |
| 91 | Miscellaneous Health Medical Professions | 2.27% |
| 92 | Early Childhood Education | 2.26% |
| 93 | Music | 2.26% |
| 94 | Physiology | 2.22% |
| 95 | Marketing and Marketing Research | 2.22% |
| 96 | Biochemical Sciences | 2.21% |
| 97 | Social Work | 2.2% |
| 98 | Plant Science and Agronomy | 2.16% |
| 99 | Statistics and Decision Science | 2.15% |
| 100 | Forestry | 2.11% |
Image Courtesy of CareerEmployer
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
