Liberal arts and education majors tend to earn some of the lowest salaries right after college, according to a February report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Based on 2024 U.S. Census data, the most recent available, the analysis shows that full-time workers ages 22 to 27 who majored in theology, performing arts, social services and education report some of the lowest median earnings early in their careers.
Graduates with these degrees all earn a median of $45,000 a year or less — below the individual U.S median income of $45,140, according to Census Bureau data.
Teachers and other education professionals are typically paid by state and local governments, where wage growth tends to lag the private sector. While those roles often offer job stability, defined pensions and summer breaks, a 2025 report from the Economic Policy Institute finds teachers earn less than other college-educated workers with comparable levels of education and experience.
And generally speaking, liberal arts and social service majors often enter nonprofit, public-sector or service-oriented roles, which historically offer lower pay than technical fields tied to high-demand industries such as engineering or computer science.
