The latest survey work finds a clear pattern: graduates with liberal arts degrees express the highest levels of regret about their chosen majors, while career-focused fields like finance, engineering, and nursing show stronger returns. The research surveyed roughly 3,000 students across recent and upcoming graduates and reports notable differences in regret rates by major and opportunities upon graduation. Data point to a broader trend where marketable, technical, and healthcare skills lead to clearer job prospects and higher starting pay. These contrasts matter for students weighing passion against employability.
The ZipRecruiter survey asked 1,500 members of the class of 2025 and another 1,500 students about to graduate in the spring, and responses clustered around majors tied to future career options. The result that stands out is that liberal arts majors were the most likely to say they regretted their choice. Many of those respondents said they wished they had pursued scientific or quantitative fields instead, pointing to perceived gaps in career preparation.
Degrees in political science, international relations, and public policy also ranked high on the regret scale, with nearly half of those graduates expressing second thoughts. That group reported feeling less confident about a direct path to stable, well-paid work. The numbers suggest a misalignment between expectations and employment realities for certain social science tracks.
Communication, media studies, and public relations majors showed notable regret as well, with about four in ten wishing they’d chosen differently. Those fields can lead to fulfilling roles, but respondents cited concerns about job availability and pay compared with more technical majors. Graduates mentioned the need for additional training or internships to bridge gaps employers expect.
A separate industry snapshot from college recruiters highlights which bachelor’s degrees employers actively seek right now. Finance topped the list for demand, followed by mechanical engineering, computer science, and accounting, with business administration and management, electrical engineering, and information sciences also in strong demand. Employers continue to prioritize majors that deliver concrete, job-ready skills and measurable outcomes.
A short video below highlights student reactions and reporting on majors and career paths.
Nursing emerged as a real bright spot in the employment picture, with almost a third of nursing students landing jobs before graduation. That early placement rate speaks to a tight labor market in healthcare and clear employer pipelines into clinical roles. Nursing majors also reported the highest median salary at graduation, cited around $70,000 a year, which contrasts sharply with many regretful liberal arts responses.
What this data underscores is how market signals and individual goals collide when students pick majors. Some students prioritize intellectual exploration and enrichment, while others focus on immediate employability and higher starting pay. The survey results suggest that students who want quicker paths to employment should weigh majors tied to measurable skills and certifications.
For graduates who already feel stuck, the picture is not fixed: many employers accept targeted credentials, boot camps, and professional certifications as viable pivots. Upskilling in areas like data analysis, coding, financial literacy, or healthcare prerequisites can open doors even after a liberal arts degree. The key is matching effort to opportunity and knowing which skills employers are actively recruiting for right now.
