Top 10 College Majors with Highest Unemployment Rates

New York Fed analysis shows surprising results, with computer science and engineering among the highest jobless rates for recent grads

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A new analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reveals the 10 college majors with the highest unemployment rates for recent graduates in 2024. While fields like anthropology, fine arts, and performing arts topped the list, the findings also showed unexpectedly high jobless rates for computer engineering and computer science graduates, complicating the once-popular advice to "learn to code" for job security.

Why it matters

The data provides important insights into the job market and employment prospects for college graduates, challenging assumptions about which majors lead to the best career opportunities. It also raises questions about the value of a college degree, as public confidence in higher education has waned in recent years.

The details

The New York Fed analysis, based on Census Bureau data, looked at unemployment and underemployment rates across 73 different college majors for recent graduates aged 22-27. Anthropology had the highest unemployment at 7.9%, nearly double the overall rate of 4.2% across all majors. Fine arts (7.7%) and performing arts (7.0%) also ranked near the top. More surprisingly, computer engineering (7.5%) and computer science (7.0%) - majors long considered safe bets - also had elevated jobless rates. The findings complicate the once-popular "learn to code" advice, as separate data shows a decline in software development job postings since the hiring boom of 2022.

  • The New York Fed analysis looked at employment data for recent college graduates in 2024.

The players

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

The regional Federal Reserve bank that conducted the analysis of college major unemployment and underemployment rates.

Census Bureau

The government agency that provided the underlying data used in the New York Fed's analysis.

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The takeaway

The New York Fed's findings challenge conventional wisdom about which college majors lead to the best job prospects, highlighting the need for prospective students to carefully consider employment outcomes when choosing a field of study. The data also underscores the evolving nature of the job market, as even once-reliable tech fields like computer science and engineering are facing higher-than-expected unemployment rates for recent graduates.