Choosing a college degree has always been a high-stakes decision, shaping the trajectory of a student’s career. But in today’s era of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the choice has become
far more complex. No single degree can now guarantee success or long-term job stability.
Take computer science and engineering as an example. In the 1990s and early 2000s, such degrees were almost a sure ticket to high-paying jobs. Fast forward to 2025, and several software giants have announced mass layoffs, highlighting the shrinking security even in traditionally lucrative fields.
AI is also transforming creative industries. Filmmaking, for instance, has become more automated, reducing the demand for many once essential roles. While AI hasn’t erased every job, it has replaced a significant number across sectors—from technology and finance to media and beyond.
In this rapidly evolving market, where AI can perform multiple tasks, students need more than a single-discipline degree. Classic business programs or traditional STEM fields no longer offer the guaranteed career returns they once did, making adaptability, interdisciplinary skills, and continuous learning essential for future success.
Degrees Losing Their Market Edge
Harvard labour economist David J. Deming, along with Kadeem Noray, revealed in a 2020 study that certain applied degrees like computer science, engineering, and business lose their earnings advantage relatively quickly.
Their research highlights a key issue: fast-changing job requirements. As Deming notes, “The earnings premium for graduates majoring in technology-intensive subjects declines rapidly over time as workers sort out of faster-changing occupations.”
Simply put, entering a hot field doesn’t guarantee sustained value unless graduates continually update their skills.
Even prestigious programs like MBAs have begun to face hurdles. Reports from Harvard Business School and other Ivy League career centres in early 2025 indicate that landing top-tier positions has become more competitive, signalling a broader erosion in the returns of traditional business degrees.
Humanities and social sciences, long viewed as less career-focused but intellectually enriching, are also experiencing declining interest. Surveys documented by The Harvard Crimson show a sharp drop in humanities concentrators.
This trend reflects both students’ and employers’ preference for STEM and applied fields that offer clearer, more immediate career pathways. Harvard’s 2022 report on “degree reset” trends further emphasises that employers increasingly prioritise specific skills over generic degrees.
10 Degrees Losing Value
Based on Harvard research and labour market trends, the following degrees are losing their long-term market advantage:
General Business Administration (MBA included) – Oversaturated market and shifting hiring preferences.
Computer Science – High initial earnings, but skill obsolescence is rapid.
Mechanical Engineering – Affected by automation and offshore manufacturing.
Accounting – AI and automation are reducing long-term demand.
Biochemistry – Narrow focus with limited direct applications.
Psychology (undergraduate) – Career pathways are limited without graduate study.
English and Humanities – Enrollment declines reflect uncertain career prospects.
Sociology and Social Sciences – Less direct job alignment and demand.
History – Lower mid-career wage premiums.
Philosophy – Critical thinking is valued but less marketable directly.
What Students Should Consider Instead
Harvard’s research emphasises that degrees alone no longer guarantee success. Students need to cultivate adaptable, hybrid skill sets. They need to learn to combine their technical expertise with creativity, problem-solving, and social intelligence. Here are some emerging areas which promise stronger returns:
Interdisciplinary STEM fields – Encourage continuous learning and adaptability.
Data Science and Analytics – Fast-growing, high-demand, and versatile.
Health Sciences and Allied Health Professions – Strong labour market demand.
Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies – Crucial for urgent global challenges.
Digital Marketing and Media – Creative-technical hybrid roles are on the rise.
AI and Machine Learning – Cutting-edge, technology-driven career paths.
Entrepreneurship with Tech Focus – Combines business acumen with innovation.
Harvard’s insights underline a key point: legacy degrees are no longer foolproof. Success increasingly depends on supplementing foundational education with new skills, adaptability, and interdisciplinary knowledge.
For students navigating major choices, programs that integrate technical expertise with socially relevant competencies offer the best chance for sustained employment and career growth.
A 2025 Student Choice report reinforces this guidance, noting that majors like engineering, computer science, and nursing deliver strong ROI, while creative fields augmented with emotional intelligence and critical thinking remain valuable.
Having a degree no longer guarantees a successful career. In the AI era, students must embrace continual learning, adapt to change, and blend technical and human-centred skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market. For students ready to adapt, the future holds opportunity and for those relying solely on traditional paths, the returns may be diminishing.
