These Are the 10 Degrees With the Highest Dropout Rates (2024)

Unless you’re the next Bill Gates, dropping out of college can have a devastating impact on your career. 😅

And yet, 40 percent of students leave college before graduation, and half of them do so because they had chosen the wrong area of study.

Don’t want to meet the same fate? Check out the 10 college degrees with the highest dropout rates to make a well-informed course decision.

Get a quick lowdown on these programs before enrolling 👇

1. Computer Science: 9.8 percent 💻

Experts suggest a lack of required skills and misguided perceptions about computer science are to blame for why smart, tech-savvy students suddenly drop out. 🧑‍💻

“People might really want to be a games programmer or something, but there’s a slight disconnect between playing a lot of computer games, and learning the skills needed to create those games,” says Meriel Huggard, who helped build a programming center at Trinity College.

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The high cost of studying this major is another deterrent for most computer science aspirants. At over $25,000 a year in tuition for out-of-state students, a four-year degree could break the bank (or commit to some serious student debt). 😒

However, if you can overcome these barriers, computer science is one of the top college degrees with a high starting salary, and there is a demand for graduates in this field. 📈

2. Business: 8.6 percent 💼

Business is usually the path where people without college degrees become successful (and ridiculously rich) — is that why so many business students drop out of college? 🤔

One reason for the high dropout rate is that more and more often in business, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) is becoming the standard.

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Taking this extra step means five years of studying with an incredibly steep price tag. In just over two years, MBA students can rack up debt and expenses between $100,000 and $200,000! 😮

Finally, business school is a marathon. 🏃 The workload, interview schedule, club activities, networking events, and everything else related to the course can be overwhelming for those who don’t pace themselves, so many students chose to opt out in favor of pursuing a different career.

3. Advertising: 8 percent 🔊

If your idea of advertising comes from American shows (say, Mad Men, Thank You for Smoking, or The Pitch), you’re in for a rude awakening! 😓

Students drawn by these portrayals are surprised to learn the day-to-day work of an advertiser is less about high-stakes pitches and more about strategy, research, and collaboration. 🧠

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4. Journalism: 7.6 percent 📰

If research comes easy to you or you’ve always dreamed of appearing on television, a degree in journalism may sound like the perfect career move. 👩‍💼 But that’s where a lot of students get it wrong!

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Journalism is far more than pitching news stories or reporting a script in front of a camera. As media constantly evolves, students need to be quick on their feet, work on tight deadlines, and build a strong network at the same time. 😅

Journalism is also known for being a competitive field, especially with a growing number of talented individuals entering the industry every year and the constant downsizing and layoffs by media giants. 🏢

5. Art: 7.3 percent 🎨

Here’s the catch: turning your art hobby into a career is entirely different. Art students are expected to put in consistent mental and physical hard work that can sap their enthusiasm for the craft. 😟

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Sierra Deghan, who used to study ceramics at the Kansas City Art Institute, described how the busyness of art school can be exhausting.

“Foundation Year is perfect for someone who ONLY wants to make art; it’s not wrong to say you are living in the studio. That can be enjoyable, up to a point.But what about life, and experiences, and a well-rounded college education? And just sleep? I want to see films, visit museums, spend time with my friends, and the opportunity isn’t there . . . at least not if you want to be successful,” she said.

The price tag on some art schools can be quite expensive and could act as a deterrent to students. In addition, there are legitimate concerns about the future of employment in the arts despite students putting in sleepless nights — leading to dropout rates in the program. 📉

6. Architecture: 7.2 percent 🏢

Completing an architecture degree eats away more time than other four-year programs, which is why some opt to back out. 😟

To give you an idea of what students go through, you need to complete a five-year bachelor’s degree and three years of internships (which can begin during school).

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After all of that, you also need to pass the Architect Registration Exam to get a license. Remember, an expensive architecture degree means nothing unless you become a licensed architect. 📐

One other reason that can scare students away is having to know heavy-duty stuff like calculus, physics, and statistics. Architecture relies on stability, and if you’re not great with numbers, it might not be your jam. 🔢

7. Engineering: 7 percent 🏗️

Wait, didn’t an engineering degree have a promising return on investment (big perks and a high pay packet)? So, why are students ghosting this program for something different? 🤔

The high dropout rate in the field can often be attributed to a lack of readiness for the high-stress program.

In fact, engineering majors spend an average of 20 hours per week in laboratories, completing projects and engaging in long study sessions — almost twice as much compared to communications, marketing, or criminal justice students. 🥵

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Late nights, piles of assignments, and a high level of required technical expertise force them to drop out in favor of a more relaxed field.

Additionally, engineering is seen as a profession with a high likelihood of financial success. 🤑 Even if engineering isn’t their true passion, some pursue it but end up changing their mind later on.

8. Biology: 6.8 percent🔬

Diving into the vast and complex world of nature can be a thrilling experience, but it’s not for everyone.

Laborious hours of research, laboratory work, and even animal dissections are some reasons students choose to drop out of their biology major. 🔬

Money is also a factor because, unfortunately, biology is one of the most expensive majors in terms of tuition fees, textbooks, and lab equipment. 🥽

9. Education: 6.6 percent 👨‍🏫

A mismatch between expectations and reality is one of the key reasons why a lot of students who major in education leave their programs.

While many students enter education programs with a passion for teaching and a desire to change lives, they can quickly become disillusioned with large class sizes, students with behavior and learning difficulties, limited resources and support, and heavy workloads. 😫

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These discrepancies between expectations and reality can lead to frustration, burnout, and in several cases, a decision to leave the field altogether before they’ve even graduated. 😔

It doesn’t help that teaching is one of the lowest-paying professions in the US, with many teachers earning less than a family living wage. 💸

10. Medicine: 1.4 percent 🩺

Aspiring doctors can forget about getting a full night’s sleep (let alone partying) for at least eight years, so it’s no surprise that the rigorous academic path sees so many students drop out. 📚

Let us remind you that conquering four years of pre-med, four years of medical school, and a residency or fellowship isn’t a walk in the park.

Add to that the fact that medical school is an expensive journey that leaves students under significant student debt after graduation that can reach over $300,000! 😮

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Would-be doctors also work in highly competitive environments for notoriously long hours. For example, first-year residents are not entitled to overtime and might work round the clock without additional pay. 😢

If you can burn the midnight oil and battle long hours with caffeine, there is a payoff: the average salary of doctors in the US is $313,000 per year (and has been increasing ever since the pandemic).

Remember, dropping out of college is not the end of the world, and there are many alternative paths to success. 💪🏼

Whether it’s taking a break to reassess your goals or exploring a different career path, the most important thing is to never give up on your dreams. ✨

So, keep your head up, stay motivated, and make the best of every opportunity that comes your way. Good luck! 👍

College Degrees With the Highest Dropout Rates: Frequently Asked Questions

Which college has the highest dropout rate?

At 22.7 percent, Sewanee-University of the South, Tennessee has the highest dropout rate in the country.

What is Harvard’s dropout rate?

Since Harvard has a graduation rate of 98 percent, we can assume that only 2 percent of students drop out.

Is dropping out of college a smart move?

Dropping out of college can negatively impact your career opportunities. On average, individuals without a college degree earn $21,000 less annually compared to those with a degree. 😟

Carefully consider your options and weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision. Seeking advice from trusted mentors or professionals can be helpful.

How many people flunk out of college?

About 30 percent of American students flunk out of a college class every year.

What is the main cause of dropping out of college?

Lack of financial support is the major reason why students dropout of college. Academic struggles, lack of interest in the course of study, and personal or family issues are some of the other main causes.

As an expert in higher education and career development, I can confidently delve into the nuances of the college dropout phenomenon, shedding light on the factors influencing students' decisions to leave their academic pursuits. The evidence-based insights I provide are rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and dynamics within various academic disciplines.

The article highlights 10 college degrees with the highest dropout rates and offers valuable information on each. Let's break down the concepts involved in the article:

Computer Science (9.8 percent):
- Lack of required skills and misconceptions about computer science.
- High cost of studying, with tuition over $25,000 per year.
- Despite challenges, computer science offers high starting salaries and job demand.
Business (8.6 percent):
- Increasingly, an MBA is becoming the standard, requiring an additional five years of study and a high cost (between $100,000 and $200,000).
- Business school entails a marathon of workload, interviews, club activities, and networking, leading some students to opt for a different career.
Advertising (8 percent):
- Mismatch between expectations (influenced by media portrayals) and the reality of day-to-day work.
- Importance of technical skills like graphic design, social media marketing, and data analytics.
- High turnover due to long hours, tight deadlines, and constant pressure to be creative.
Journalism (7.6 percent):
- Journalism requires quick adaptation, tight deadlines, and building a strong network.
- Competitive field with downsizing in media organizations contributing to the challenge.
Art (7.3 percent):
- Transitioning from art hobby to a career involves consistent mental and physical hard work.
- Concerns about the future of employment in the arts and the high cost of art schools contribute to dropout rates.
Architecture (7.2 percent):
- Architecture degree requires a longer commitment (five-year bachelor's degree and three years of internships).
- Heavy-duty subjects like calculus, physics, and statistics can deter some students.
Engineering (7 percent):
- High-stress program with an average of 20 hours per week spent in laboratories.
- Perception of financial success in engineering may attract students who later realize it's not their true passion.
Biology (6.8 percent):
- Laborious hours of research, laboratory work, and expenses contribute to dropout rates.
- Intense competition in biology-related fields and concerns about future employment.
Education (6.6 percent):
- Mismatch between expectations and the reality of teaching, including large class sizes and limited resources.
- Frustration, burnout, and low pay contribute to dropout rates.
Medicine (1.4 percent):
- Rigorous academic path with at least eight years of commitment.
- High costs of medical school and significant student debt.
- Competitive and demanding work environment for aspiring doctors.

The article concludes with a reminder that dropping out is not the end, emphasizing alternative paths to success and encouraging perseverance. Frequently asked questions provide additional context, such as the highest dropout rate college (Sewanee-University of the South), Harvard's low dropout rate (2 percent), the impact of dropping out on career opportunities, the percentage of students failing out of college classes, and the main causes of dropping out (financial support, academic struggles, lack of interest, and personal/family issues).