In this third installment of Hard Times, we update our previous analyses of college majors, unemployment, and earnings over the Great Recession. While there is wide variation by college majors, hard times have become better times for most college graduates, but the recovery is far from complete.

1. From Hard Times to Better
Times
College Majors, Unemployment, and Earnings
By: Anthony P. Carnevale and Ban Cheah
February 19, 2015

2. 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.

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

4. • 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

5. • 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.

6. • 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

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