10 “Useless” Degrees That Can Actually Land You a Lucrative Job

Putting in the time to get a college degree can be tedious. It takes years of hard work to finally get your diploma, and even then, many people have thousands of dollars in student loans to pay.

You're not alone if you wonder whether your degree has the power to land you a job that will help you build wealth. The good news is that many seemingly "useless" degrees can still get you an incredible occupation.

Here are 10 degrees people usually say are useless that can actually pay off.

1. English

English majors sometimes get a bad reputation for struggling to get hired after college. But if you think outside the box, you could land a lucrative occupation. These professionals might consider entering the world of writing and editing.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), editors can bring home a pretty penny, with a median annual salary of $75,260 a year. Writing follows closely behind, making $72,270 annually.

2. Psychology

With a degree in psychology, it might seem like you have endless possibilities — or none at all. Many grads don't know where to begin to put their psychology degree to use. But this degree can come in handy for a few occupations in particular.

You could apply your knowledge in an office setting as a human resources specialist and make an average of $72,910 a year. Work your way up to a manager in the human resources department, and you could make an average of $140,030 annually.

Or, you could use your degree to help adolescents as a school psychologist. According to the BLS, these workers make $94,310 annually.

3. Ornithology

Ornithology is a lesser-known degree that focuses on the study of birds. This diploma might seem less applicable than others, but ornithologists can go on to become wildlife conservationists, with the possibility of making up to $105,460 per year.

Someone with this degree might also look for a job as a zoologist or wildlife biologist, with the potential to bring in a median of $72,860 annually.

4. Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human societies. There are many routes you could take with a degree in this field, including archaeology, teaching, or even human resources. But some pay more than others.

One of the most lucrative paths for anthropologists lies in forensic science. Forensic anthropologists study human remains from crime scenes to assist law enforcement. These experts make up to $80,910 per year, according to Indeed.

5. Communications

Although people usually dismiss communications degrees, these majors graduate with a plethora of skills relevant to many occupations. Sometimes this makes it hard to choose which route to take.

One option to consider is becoming a public relations specialist, with the main job function of managing a person or organization's public image. The top 10% of these strategists make an average of $115,430 per year. Demand for this type of professional is currently rising, and it's only expected to continue growing.

6. Cinematography

Many people say that with such a competitive field, a cinematography degree doesn't guarantee much success. But these grads can go the traditional route or choose a more non-traditional way to use their degree.

You could pursue a career as a director of photography. This type of professional essentially runs the show when it comes to production. These directors make an average of $107,150.

You could also focus on advertising with a career in media planning. Media planners use many methods of media to convey a cohesive advertising strategy, and they make anywhere from $100,000 to $181,000 per year.

7. History

As another lesser-known pathway to a great salary, a degree in history could open up doors for you. Most of us think of professors or museum curators when we think of a degree in history, but these aren't the only opportunities for history majors. Demand for historical researchers is growing rapidly, and these experts make a median of $74,050 annually.

With a background in history, some professionals also choose to enter the world of journalism. Top earners in the field make up to $160,360.

8. Fine Arts

Some say that a degree in Fine Arts means limited jobs and skills anyone can learn — it's not viewed as a typical way to financial success. But there are a few jobs that use this education that could help you pay back your student loans while living comfortably.

If you have an eye for creating, you could try illustrating. According to ZipRecruiter, some illustrators make up to $101,840 annually. In a similar vein, you could look for a job as an animator. These digital illustrators make a median annual salary of $99,060, according to the BLS.

9. Marine Biology

Marine biology might seem like a laser-focused major, but the BLS cites that those in this field of degree earn $71,000 annually. And these graduates have plenty of career options.

Becoming a marine scientist tasked with the job of studying ocean life could provide you with a great salary. Some of these researchers make up to $155,500.

Choosing to pursue a career as an environmental planner could also prove to be lucrative – these experts attempt to mitigate the negative effects of urban planning on the wildlife population in a sustainable way. In this field, expect to make an average of $79,834 annually.

10. Graphic Design

While it might seem like graphic design is becoming an irrelevant skill with so many online tools offering graphic creation, this degree is still in demand.

The most obvious occupation for this degree is a graphic designer. Senior graphic designers make around $77,090 per year, but other jobs use this degree as well. Advertising art directors, for example, make a median of $106,500 annually. This type of director orchestrates a visual experience through various forms of media, like print or video.

Bottom line

Maybe you're about to graduate with a degree you're not thrilled about, or you're currently on the job hunt and worried about your prospects and ability to pay off student loans. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average federal student loan debt balance is $38,375.

While these degrees might seem underwhelming, they could lead you to a job you're proud of and help you achieve financial health along the way.

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Author Details

Brenna Major

Brenna, a writer for FinanceBuzz, enjoys making lofty personal finance concepts more digestible, believing that finances can be a powerful tool if they're wielded well. When she's not nerding out on finance topics, she's hanging with her two toddlers at the park or grabbing coffee from a local spot with a friend.