The unemployment rate for recent college graduates has been on the rise since spiking during the pandemic, reaching 5.6% at the end of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.But unemployment rates vary by college major. Education majors, such as special education and elementary education, had some of the lowest unemployment rates in 2024. That’s the most recent data available on college major unemployment, released earlier this year, from the FRBNY’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.Among the 73 majors analyzed by the FRBNY, anthropology had the highest unemployment rate at 7.9%. That’s up from 6.5% in 2021 among recent college graduates ages 22 to 27 with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Computer engineering had the second-highest unemployment rate at 7.8%. It’s a stark contrast from just a few years ago. In 2021, graduates who majored in computer engineering had one of the lowest unemployment rates among the top five majors, at 3.2%.Computer science had the second lowest at 4.8% in 2021, but has since risen to 7%, tied with performing arts. The higher unemployment rate comes as some companies are hesitant to hire inexperienced, entry-level workers during periods of economic uncertainty. Another factor: Older workers are staying in their jobs longer, according to research from Georgetown University.Recent graduates are also facing underemployment, meaning some college graduates have more education or skills than their jobs require. At the end of last year, about 43% of recent college graduates said they were working in jobs that typically don’t require a college degree, according to an FRBNY survey. Underemployment has also been steadily increasing since the start of last year.Still, having a college degree is more advantageous for young workers. Young workers between the ages of 22 and 27 without a college degree had an unemployment rate of 7.8% at the end of last year, 2.2% higher than that of those with a college degree. In general, workers without a college degree tend to have higher unemployment rates than those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.Workers with college degrees also earn higher median salaries. Last year, the median salary for those with a bachelor’s degree was $60,000 compared to $40,000 for those with a high school diploma.Among the majors in the analysis, computer engineering had the highest early-career median salary at $90,000, followed by computer science at $87,000.Pharmacy had the lowest early-career median wage at $40,000. Theology and religion majors were the second-lowest at $41,600.Search the table below to see unemployment rates, underemployment and median early-career wages for all 73 college majors FRBNY analyzed.PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
The unemployment rate for recent college graduates has been on the rise since spiking during the pandemic, reaching 5.6% at the end of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
But unemployment rates vary by college major. Education majors, such as special education and elementary education, had some of the lowest unemployment rates in 2024. That’s the most recent data available on college major unemployment, released earlier this year, from the FRBNY’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
Among the 73 majors analyzed by the FRBNY, anthropology had the highest unemployment rate at 7.9%. That’s up from 6.5% in 2021 among recent college graduates ages 22 to 27 with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Computer engineering had the second-highest unemployment rate at 7.8%. It’s a stark contrast from just a few years ago. In 2021, graduates who majored in computer engineering had one of the lowest unemployment rates among the top five majors, at 3.2%.
Computer science had the second lowest at 4.8% in 2021, but has since risen to 7%, tied with performing arts.
The higher unemployment rate comes as some companies are hesitant to hire inexperienced, entry-level workers during periods of economic uncertainty. Another factor: Older workers are staying in their jobs longer, according to research from Georgetown University.
Recent graduates are also facing underemployment, meaning some college graduates have more education or skills than their jobs require.
At the end of last year, about 43% of recent college graduates said they were working in jobs that typically don’t require a college degree, according to an FRBNY survey. Underemployment has also been steadily increasing since the start of last year.
Still, having a college degree is more advantageous for young workers. Young workers between the ages of 22 and 27 without a college degree had an unemployment rate of 7.8% at the end of last year, 2.2% higher than that of those with a college degree.
In general, workers without a college degree tend to have higher unemployment rates than those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Workers with college degrees also earn higher median salaries. Last year, the median salary for those with a bachelor’s degree was $60,000 compared to $40,000 for those with a high school diploma.
Among the majors in the analysis, computer engineering had the highest early-career median salary at $90,000, followed by computer science at $87,000.
Pharmacy had the lowest early-career median wage at $40,000. Theology and religion majors were the second-lowest at $41,600.
Search the table below to see unemployment rates, underemployment and median early-career wages for all 73 college majors FRBNY analyzed.
