Graduating with a degree doesn't always guarantee a smooth transition into the workforce, and some fields are proving to be tougher job markets than others.
It's a common dream: toss the graduation cap, celebrate with loved ones, and then step confidently into your first professional role. For many recent college graduates, this is the hopeful reality. However, for a surprising number, the path to that first post-graduation job is proving to be a bit more challenging. This is especially true for those who pursued certain academic disciplines.
The New York Federal Reserve Bank recently dove into the data, analyzing a vast array of 73 college majors. They looked at information from the Census Bureau, focusing on recent graduates aged 22 to 27 who hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The goal? To get a clearer picture of unemployment rates among this demographic.
And here's where it gets interesting: several majors, particularly those in the arts and humanities, are showing higher-than-average unemployment figures. Anthropology, for instance, topped the list with an unemployment rate hovering near 8%. Early childhood education also appeared among the majors with significant unemployment, though it's worth noting that other educational fields actually boasted some of the lowest unemployment rates.
The chart below highlights college majors with unemployment rates exceeding 6.0%.
Daniel Zhao, the chief economist at Glassdoor, finds this trend particularly noteworthy because the majors with the highest unemployment don't neatly fall into a single category. "You have some majors that have very restrictive job markets, like fine arts or performing arts," Zhao explained, "but then you also have other majors that have been very attractive and that offer high-paying jobs, like computer engineering or computer science."
And this is the part most people miss: underemployment. Zhao pointed out that while unemployment is one metric, underemployment – meaning graduates taking jobs that don't typically require a degree – is also a significant factor. For computer engineering and computer science majors, underemployment rates were below 20%. However, for those in anthropology, fine arts, and performing arts, this figure soared above 50%.
This suggests a strategic patience among some graduates. As Zhao put it, "Say a computer science grad is having a hard time finding a job in tech in the current market, but they know that if they can land one, it'll be worth their while because the pay in tech is so much higher than other industries. So they're willing to sit it out and wait until a good role comes along."
But here's where it could spark differing opinions: Graduates in fields like anthropology or fine arts may not have the same financial flexibility. "Zhao said grads with anthropology or fine arts degrees 'don't necessarily have the financial cushion to not look for a job right now' because these roles typically don't pay as much as a tech role."
Adding to the challenge, the US recently experienced its lowest year of job growth since 2003 (excluding recessionary periods). While layoffs haven't surged dramatically and overall unemployment remains low, the pace of hiring has slowed considerably compared to a few years ago. This makes it a particularly tough environment for those just starting their careers. The unemployment rate for recent college graduates in December was 5.6%, an increase from 4.8% at the beginning of 2025.
A research note from Goldman Sachs observed that this "low-hire, low-fire trend has likely contributed to the rise in the unemployment rates of young workers," and it "raises the risk that these workers might be increasingly locked out of the labor market."
So, what's a job seeker to do in this slower market? Zhao suggests focusing on networking. This includes tapping into the career services offered by your alma mater and connecting with former students. He also advises broadening your job search, as there might be opportunities that utilize your skills that you haven't even considered yet.
And this is the part most people miss: The definition of a "good job" might need re-evaluation. Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, previously shared his insights, suggesting that prime opportunities for computer science graduates aren't always at the most obvious tech giants. "I have always contended that the most exciting applications of computer science are not at Facebook, Google, and Amazon, but at the intersection of computing and other fields," Farid stated.
This could mean exploring roles in areas like computational drug discovery, financial technology, digital humanities, and other interdisciplinary fields.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree that majors with traditionally lower starting salaries face a tougher job market? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
