What percent of college students regret going to college?

Asked by: Lulu Heidenreich  |  Last update: December 21, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (42 votes)

Despite wide differences in levels of regret when it comes to majors, the vast majority of respondents were glad they went to school. Only 9% of those who attended a public institution wish they had not gone to college, the Federal Reserve survey found.

How many people regret getting a college degree?

10 most-regretted majors: After graduation, 'reality hits'

Still, 44% of all job seekers with college degrees regret their field of study.

What is the most-regretted college degree?

The most-regretted college major is journalism, according to the study. Eighty-seven percent of those graduates sampled said they would choose a different major if they could.

What college majors have the least regrets?

The least regretted college majors, which graduates would choose all over again, are reportedly Computer and Information Sciences, Criminology, Engineering, Nursing, Health, Business Administration and Management, Finance, Psychology, Construction Trades, and Human Resources Management.

How many people think college is a waste of time?

A majority of Americans now say a college degree isn't worth it. A survey from the WSJ and the research organization NORC at the University of Chicago found that 56% of Americans say earning a four-year degree isn't worth the cost.

I Regret Going To College

24 related questions found

What percent of Americans regret college?

Regret is heavily influenced by salary.

The takeaway: Almost half (44%) of job-seeking degree holders regret their college majors. The top three regretted majors, according to ZipRecruiter, are journalism (87%), sociology (72%), and liberal arts and general studies (72%).

How many people actually enjoy college?

They also found that overall student satisfaction among students is pretty much unchanged since last year – 78% reported being satisfied by their college experience in 2018, 74% said they are now.

What is the hardest career in college?

1) Architecture

It's also quite difficult to become a licensed architect: you typically need to complete a 3-5 year internship and pass an exam. During your years of undergraduate study, expect to take courses in computer science, calculus, art history, and studio art.

What is the least stressful major in college?

According to the annual National Survey of Student Engagement, software engineering, computer science and astronomy majors enjoy the least stressful college experience, and spend the most time relaxing and socializing, including hanging out with friends, playing video games and going online.

What are the most stressful college majors?

Engineering and architecture are among the most stressful college majors in the STEM fields. Many people working in the medical and healthcare industries, such as those in nursing and neurology, share this viewpoint. There are also majors in other fields that can be demanding, such as accounting and related fields.

What is the happiest degree?

Perhaps a surprising degree on this list, engineering consistently ranks among the happiest degrees — primarily for the job security and high salary awaiting students after graduation. There are all sorts of engineering disciplines for students to explore to find a field that they feel passionate about and capable in.

What degree has the highest dropout rate?

Students who major in computer science tend to have the highest dropout rate, followed by advertising and agriculture majors. College is a significant investment, and selecting the right major can aid in your success.

What college degree is most worth it?

The Best College Majors
  1. Computer Engineering. Median salary (2020): $93,000. ...
  2. Actuarial Science. Median salary (2020): $72,000. ...
  3. Computer Science. Median salary (2020): $90,000. ...
  4. Management. Median salary (2020): $68,000. ...
  5. Electronics Engineering. ...
  6. Healthcare Administration. ...
  7. Health Informatics. ...
  8. Construction Management.

How common is failing college?

College dropout rates indicate that up to 32.9% of undergraduates do not complete their degree program. First-time undergraduate freshmen have a 12-month dropout rate of 24.1%. Among first-time bachelor's degree seekers, 25.7% ultimately drop out; among all undergraduate students, up to 40% drop out.

What is the average college fail rate?

In four-year institutions, 56% of students tend to drop out after six years (What to Become, 2021). Students aged between 24-29 are most likely to drop out of four-year colleges, as 52.5% of them have already left without a degree (What to Become, 2021).

What percent of people succeed after college?

Report Highlights: In 2019, those who've obtained their bachelor's degree or higher had an employment rate of 87% for both genders, 91% for males, and 83% for females.

What college has the least happiest students?

The top two schools in the 2020 edition of “Least Happy Students” retained their spots from last year. Simmons University in Boston sits at second, while Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans reclaims the unwanted top spot for the second consecutive year as the school where its students are the least happy.

What year is the most stressful in college?

For example, seniors are likely to experience stress about their future career path after school. Junior year is generally considered the most stressful year of college, based on coursework and financial strain.

What is considered the easiest college degree?

Business Major

Business isn't just one of the easiest college majors — it's also the most popular major. You'll study core topics like accounting, management, and organizational behavior. You can specialize your skills with upper-level courses in logistics, training and development, or entrepreneurship.

What is the toughest degree to receive?

The hardest degree subjects are Aerospace Engineering, Law, Chartered Accountancy, Architecture, Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology, Statistics, Nursing, Physics, Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy, and Dentistry. Let's dive right in, and look at why these courses are the hardest degree subjects.

What is typically the hardest year of college?

There is no question that the first semester of the freshman year of college is the most critical. Many studies show that freshman year is the time when students most likely drop out of college – if not permanently, then temporarily.

What are the hardest degree to study?

Even though these degrees may be hard, they can lead to high-paying jobs and help you grow as a person and as a worker. Experts have put medicine, engineering, design, mathematics, law, physics, chemistry, music, biology, and computer science at the top of the list of the hardest degrees in the world.

Is it true that college isn t for everyone?

In fact, college isn't even the best way to get an education and build the skills you need to succeed in your dream job. College isn't for everyone, and that's okay. Everyone's path looks different, and everyone needs to decide for themselves whether college is the right route for them.

What percentage of Americans actually go to college?

The percentage of adults in the U. S. between the ages of 25 to 64 with college degrees, certificates, or industry-recognized certifications, has increased from 37.9% in 2009 to 53.7% in 2021, a gain of nearly 16 percentage points.

What percentage of Americans actually use their college degree?

"In addition to dealing with financial insecurity, only 46% of college grads surveyed say they currently work in their field of study. 29% report working in a different field, while 16% of those under age 54 (and therefore not likely retired) say they are currently unemployed.