From Hard Times to Better Times College Majors, Unemployment, and Earnings By: Anthony P. Carnevale and Ban Cheah

February 19, 2015

Overview •  The job market for recent college graduates has

continued to improve, but individual graduates’ chances of finding a job depends on his/her major.

•  College remains very much worth the cost in the post-recession economy for most students.

•  Unemployment rates declined for recent graduates in most majors.

•  Recent college graduates are more likely to find jobs than high school graduates in the middle of their careers.

•  Recent college graduates are more likely to be unemployed than experienced college graduates and graduate degree holders, but unemployment rates vary by major.

Unemployment Rates Vary by Major

•  Many recent college graduates earn less than $36,000—the average earnings for an experienced high school graduate—while experienced graduate degree holders in some majors earn more than $100,000 annually.

•  Among psychology and social work majors, recent college graduates earn less than the average high school graduate while experienced graduate degree holders earn twice as much.

The benefit of a college degree varies by major, work experience, and graduate degree attainment

For more information: See the full report at: cew.georgetown.edu/HardTimes2015  

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