Dave Talks About Useless Degrees 

Got my degree in western towel washing with a minor in advanced breathing. Cant seem to find a job though

College is a business, wake up people

At a university in my state (Bowling Green State University in Ohio), you can major in Pop Culture. I wish I was joking, but I am not.

I'm currently 900 thousand dollars in debt ever since I got my degree in Advanced Blinking. No jobs in my field...

What irritates me about modern day. If you do not have a college degree. You are label as stupid and unsuccessful.

...aaaaaaaaand he never mentions which degrees are worthless, and which aren't.

I'm a philosophy major that makes a lot of money. I used my philosophy major to get into law school.

In college I majored in "Finding a Parking Spot Studies." This is a valuable skill in downtown Nashville. I'm still working out the details on how to market this skill.

Any degree can be worthless if it's not paired with focus and determination. There are millions of degree holders that don't understand the human condition, and that is what sets most people back in the pursuit of career excellence.

throwing shade since 1744 lol

As a young male getting my Nursing degree was the best thing I ever did. I make good money. I get to help people. I can support my wife and myself while owning two cars and have enough for us to have fun every month and put into our savings. Nursing is where it’s at.

hate when students get useless degrees and whine about having to pay back student loans.

Acquire SKILLS, not pieces of paper. If your degree does not provide you with the skills and knowledge demanded by the society in which you live, you may as well not have that degree.

No degree cannot compare to the most useless degree of all.. my school (University of Arizona) offers a degree in hip-hop.. I wish I was joking.

Going to college or university takes patience, discipline, growth and maturity. That’s if you really put in the work and have a passion for what you do. I have a lot of respect for people that went to college/ university because to me it shows responsibility and discipline, irrespective of what their degree is of course.

Worked, received several scholarships, lived in cheapest dorm, then moved 20min away to a duplex with rent at $215/month, went to cheapest in state university, did 21 credit hours at a community college in one summer, did not have car payments or credit card payments and still needed fafsa loans. Thankfully I never needed any private loans. I love dave ramsey but, I just don't see how everyone can go to college debt free.

i think its more about the individual than the degree. my fiance got her degree in film, something i kind of thought was a bad joke, but now she landed a job straight out of school editing and compiling marketing videos for a company. a driven person will be able to make use of any degree

I have a degree in an area of computer engineering and I still can't find a job. I need 5 years experience they say. Companies are deluded with wanting a skilled worker handed to them on a silver plate.

I tell people jusy because youre interested in something doesnt mean it will pay the bills

Every time Dave talks about education I know he'll mention German polkahistory. Makes me laugh every time because I'm minoring in German!

Just putting this out there.. I make 55k a year working in manufacturing plant. On top of that we get anywhere from %10-%20 bonus depending on output for the year. Also, the benefits are top notch and the 401k match is great too. Just wanna say it’s okay to get degrees but it’s also okay to work manufacturing,construction or warehouse jobs. I struggled because I thought I needed a degree when I was younger until I found this job and I love it.

If they really cared about the student's education, they wouldn't have filler classes that make them stay longer and pay more.

Degrees don't meant anything. If u don't have no hustle, u can get the most "useful" degree in the world - u won't be successful

I once heard someone say major in something that can pay the bills minor in something you love

Business, medical and engineering are some of the best and most practical field to get a degree in

My path is very unconventional but I couldn't afford to go to college straight out of high school (my single mom couldn't afford to save money and raise a family at the same time) and couldn't qualify for *any* loans. So I started working and saving up. By the time I was 20 I opened a small business. I actively looked for opportunities and found one. Mind you, I didn't make millions or even hundreds of thousands. But with hard work and patience here I am 5 years later with enough money to pay for college debt free. Now I'll be able to study what was always of interest to me and it's also useful. I'll still be working part time so I don't run out of all my money but in my opinion if there's a will, there's a way.

Received my degree -majored in 12th Century Norwegian Literature-and here I am saying to people "did you wanna supersize that"? What's with that?!

I started working after high school. My father had owned a roofing company, and I helped him in the summers growing up. So, I started working for contractors. Then, I decided to become an insurance adjuster and got my license and certifications. I can't tell you how many companies I interviewed with that were quite happy with my knowledge level and experience. However, all the major insurance companies said the same thing of "sorry, I'd love to hire you because you're more knowledgeable than most people I hire, but we have a company policy that requires a 4 year degree." So, I got a job at a smaller independent firm that didn't have stupid company policies and never looked back. So ya, the whole college degree thing is out of hand also from the hiring perspective. Why would an insurance adjuster need a degree? No reason at all. Just some people and companies lack common sense.

I’d be shocked if that Indian letter wasn’t fabricated centuries later for satire.

Business, engineering, medical field, computer science. These are the 4 majors that are actually worth going to college for

No college degree is useless, and at the same time, all college degrees are useless. It's up to you to devise a long term plan. If you're studying philosophy, and you are not planning to get a ph.D or already have another college degree to supplement yourself, what are you doing with your life? If you're studying anything business-related, but not networking or taking internships, what are you doing with your life? If you are studying pre-med, computer science, or engineering, but failing your classes or getting Cs without trying to get assistance or investing more time to dig yourself out of the hole, again, what are you doing with your life?

Got my degree in Silly Walking, now making over 100k at the Ministry.

I graduated from a two year technical school with electro-mechanical technology in 1980 debt free by working at night and going to school during that day. The courses were designed to provide a well rounded exposure to optics, mechanical, and electronic disciplines. Xerox helped develop the curriculum so that one person could work on their copy machines since they contained mechanical, electronic, and optical components. I worked for a well known defense contractor for 35 years and rose from a technician to a high level nondegreed engineer during that time. I published numerous papers and some won company awards. I retired at 57 with very little debt, a nice pension, respectable IRAs and five rental properties providing excellent additional income. I tell young adults to skip college and find a trade to avoid debt and listen to you and Robert Kiokoski (sp?).

This is why I majored in business with a minor in Human Resources. I was able to get a job paying over $40k while still in college

These degrees are completely useless in Europe where Universities are mainly free or only have very low fees. I can't imagine someone taking a debt to have a "Romance literature" degree

If you put down that you went to San Jose State University and got a degree in Fine Arts, the employer looking at your application not only won't question whether you actually have that degree, he won't care either.

They were even shady back then lol.

I’m 32 and I have a PhD in microbiology. The Australian government paid for my tuition fee as it did for all postgraduate degree in research. I did some casual teaching at uni for USD$30-$33 per hour which is not enough to survive due to low contact hour but I’m so grateful for the fact that I don’t have student debt. Thank you, Australia! I’m currently working full time in different uni and I’m saving to buy a house.

how dare he insult my PHD in polka history

I’m doing cyber security cuz I see a lot of potential. I’m really good with computers like I wow my programming professor at community college on occasion. And cyber security growing so much I find this degree to be super useful

awesome material glad I've found your channel!

My college offers an A.A in Basketweaving and a B.S. in Underwater Basketweaving. They provide daycare, meal card, boarding and a stipend. I am so privileged to study there... Simply outstanding!

Its not that I can't find a job its that I slowly lose the will to live at the job

My degree is in "Underwater Basket Weaving", I graduated first in my class and I am now working on my masters in "Motionless Dance Studies".

It's not just about useless degrees. Be prepared before you go to college. If you have a "C's get degrees" mentality, plan on partying when you can, have no set plan to pay tuition, and/or have absolutely no idea about what to do with your major, then you're wasting your time and money. I know so many people who got their degrees, then never did anything with them. Most of these people still have loans to pay off as well. Honestly, I wish high schools would stress this more.

forget college..skilled trades is where the money is at. a licensed plumber can make just as mush as anyone with a 4 year degree and there is never a shortage of work.

German Polka History LOL

One of my friends girlfriend graduated with a BA in Russian literature. She was complaining about how hard it was to find an engineering job (only jobs where we lived ) with a nontechnical degree. I had no words. I am an engineer and the gulf in understanding of what it entailed and how little she knew was jaw dropping. Worse yet, I suggested working for the intelligence community reading Russian intel. Except I found out she didn’t bother to learn Russian. She just studied the English translation.

It should be borne in mind that many make the decision to specialize in a young age (18-19) and many students do not have the nerve to change the major after years

Got my degree in computer engineering. 70K in loans to do it but I'm paying it off fast!

when he laughs its contagious

No degrees are a waste if you have a goal in mind. I hate people that make others feel their degree is a waste.

Watching this as a liberal studies major, I dont regret it though. Success is doing what you want when you want. I am not in debt. I made sure whatever college career I entered with I would have a plan. The attitude where we call things useless can be detrimental. I feel we are all different with different interest and we should be free to make those choice. For example it's based on what you value. If you value money? Good for you! If you value travel? Good for you! If you value teaching good for you! Someone has to fill these occupations. Just make sure it's something YOU want to do.

I have an associates in science in Nursing best decision I've ever made. I'm now a registered nurse and because I went to community college not some fancy expensive university. I barely owe anything in student loans and have the income to pay it off.

I have been reading a lot of comments here about the fact that it matters about the individual whether they are driven or not for the degree to matter. This is true, I totally believe this because there are so many people I know who have advanced degrees but work in a different field then they originally intended. Several I know didn’t use their degree at all and decided to work in lower paying jobs, for some odd reason.

I agree that the cost of college degrees in America is absurd and that, as things stand, it's probably not a good financial decision to go into significant amounts of debt unless you can guarantee that your degree is going to provide you with a return on your investment. But there is still something profoundly depressing and almost inhuman about this modern tendency to view education purely as a means of getting a job.

No question there are a lot of questionable degree programs out there and prospective students should use projected data regarding career growth to determine if a program is worth the expense. However, with that said I think it is an easy cop out to just blame pieces of paper called degrees. I know plenty of people that went to school for these so called "useless" degrees and by every measure, finances included, they are highly successful. Conversely I know others that went for these same degrees that are working retail or some sort of job not related to their degree. I think the takeaway here is the ones that are successful worked a bit harder, sacrificed a little more, took more chances, and yes caught some luck to break their way. All degrees are not created equal. Some programs have enough job demand that if you satisfactorily complete the program and show a modest amount of work ethic you can walk into a financially rewarding career. Other careers have much more competition or just lack the demand so if you want to succeed you will have to work a bit harder and go through more blood, sweat, and tears than others.

“Useless” degrees don’t exist. It’s all about marketing yourself. Usually most degrees that people bag on like sociology have some business application.

I’d be careful what I call mundane. What one person values can be completely different to what another values. Creating meaning is unique to each and every person. Now what society values, and tries to implement meaning too is very different. But I feel every person going to college or at least most, know which degrees society rewards. Going against that shows your uniqueness, and doesn’t let outside forces pressure them into something they do not want to study or get into for the sake of a well paid job. Creativity and passion should take precedent in your decision, I think should be valued more. But too each his own I suppose.

The degree isn't useless, you are. Someone with a engineering degree can be underemployed if they don't put in the effort and market/build their skillset.

Not everyone wants to major in a STEM field. Some people want to study what they are interested in, and some people just hate (or aren't good at) math.

I am 1 semester away from graduating in accounting and I have 37k debt and im scared and want to cry and it keeps me awake at night

I spent a decade in my career field before I completed college. Looking back at the maturity level between then and now, I'm glad I did. Would've been a HUGE mistake!!

They are not useless, my mom majored in economics and has two degrees in it but she never ever used them, my brother is majoring in philosophy (a degree considered useless) always says "I study to become more intelligent not to become richer"

i might get heat for this but what about the idea of learning something that really interest you regardless of money. Not everyone is driven by money. The problem is how people learn. We no longer have to spend a fortune in expensive colleges to learn. Not in the internet age. But the idea that we should get a degree in subjects that are no interest to us is torture. Does money really control our actions that much? What happened to freedom?

My degree at the end probably doesn't look as prestigious as it could have been (dropped Law, finished Media & Comm) but thankfully I did a minor in Integrated Marketing Comms and decided Digital Marketing was for me! Honestly a lot of my learning has happened on the job (the degree touched on some of it) so for areas like mine it comes down to being willing to change and learn. To think that's what I get paid to do full time isn't bad 😏

Typical US Even the college degrees get commercialised

I never quit! I will get my degree in bag piping I don't care that I'm in 300,000$ in student loan debt.

Yes my daughter, against my advice took a student loan and is living in debt. College is a scam

Useless is only a valid description of a major if education is a means to an end. If I want to understand how to address poverty in low-income communities, a master’s degree in material engineering is useless. If I want to sway a judge’s decision on a major legislative issue, a degree in astrophysics is useless. So what exactly is a useful degree? A university has traditionally been an institution associated with class. It is not until after industrialization that we started to perceive education as a means to an end? Again, so what is useless? A degree in advanced microbiology might make bank, but they’re nor precocious thinkers. In fact, a lot of voters hold degrees in STEM and are just as uninformed and ignorant as someone living below the poverty line. So.. useless for what?

Lmao the sass in that letter. They basically laughed in their face.

Great video! I never knew this was offered back in the 1700s. I love their reply!

The value of knowledge isn’t determined by how much money you can gain from it. The value of knowledge is determined by whoever values it. Materialism and Profits aren’t the only reasons people seek education.

Got my Masters at Dave University, can't seem to find a job

It all depends on your ultimate goal.I also have a law degree from Stanford. If you have a B.A. degree in Frog reproduction and plan on going to graduate school, why not?

Should I go with Marketing and Communications or Public Relations and Event Planning?

I don't think I'd enjoy Dave Ramsey as a friend. But... he's right about a lot of stuff.

the story isn't really relevant. Someone with a degree in astrophysics cant run or will not do well in native American societies either but we still need more of them in our society

love this guy

Great information Dave.

The most useful programs are on the job training with actual work experience

I paid 250k for the three big useless ones: philosophy, theology, history. At 18, I just decided to study the things I could concentrate on/did well at/really cared about. I'll write back again in 10 years to tell y'all if I regret it or not. So far, I'm indifferent- I did what I did based on what I knew about myself at the time.

This may be a repeat, but years ago they used to advertise jobs in the newspapers, and called them want ads. A former co-worker's husband told his children they could go to college if they majored in a degree that was highlighted in the want ads. That what they did.

The Indian Chief didn't come to play..his response is hilarious!!!!

I AM GOING BOWLING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE AND I AM GOING TO HAVE FUN

I was all geared up to take on a 9k/year debt for a Music Education degree with no guarantees of a job the summer after high school. Two weeks before I was set to go, I pulled out of the program. I went on to spend about 15k total on a 3yr associates in Computer Programming (with actual job prospects) and am currently in my 5th year of my career as a QA Analyst making upwards of 65k/year. I hope Dave thinks I made the right choice because I know I did. 🤣

I got a BA in psychology thinking I'm going to go into counseling. After graduating college and starting to work, I realized I don't want to deal with people and that the money is not enough. I now make websites for a living instead

Off with my cap and off with my gown. Time has come to leave this hometown. Seventeen and 3/4 old was my age that first year. So, clearly I was prepared to pick a career. Shall I go with the heart, or go with the head? Or just pick whichever fills me with less dread. Oh, too many choices, and words unfamiliar. Maybe I should’ve just been a realtor.... And for those who may wonder about my degree, a bachelors in Fine Arts - concentration in Poetry. If given the chance to rewind and start over, I’d be showing you houses from my Range Rover.

In my opinion, college-education doesn't necessarily guarantee career success, but it is definitely an advantage compared to those who don't have an education. Education is like a long-term, relative conservative investment: the more years you spend time studying(accumulated invest), the high return you can possibly get compare to no school at all (especially for those who major in-laws, medicine). However, there are still lots of other factors comes to play at whether this "investment" can yield a good return. For example, the major you choose needs to fit your expected time frame you wanna spend in school (society expects more than a bachelor degree in art/science to get a good job), the major you choose might not necessarily have many jobs at where you live, and you might need to move around for an opportunities ect. Put academic aside, a personal characteristic also plays an important role in finding a job after school, for example, a person is not good at networking but want to stand out in acting/film industry(which is a field that basically depends on your connection), might have a hard time getting the result he/she wants in a certain period of time; opportunity and lucks involves as well; But one thing I will say, study more and learn more will always beneficial for anyone in a long run, no matter if it is coming from an institution or self-learning. Learning not only helps us broaden our views, think critically, but also grant us more opportunities (choices) in general.

That Native American clap back was masterful 😂😂

The goal of a Ph.D isn't learning that's only part of it. It's mostly about creating new knowledge and becoming a scholar that can create more knowledge.

The more I watch this show the more I realize how weird you school system is . .

I have a Phb degree in cleaning floors PINE HANDLE BROOM. Lol

I got a degree in recreation therapy and hardly made any money but I went to school for free through grants , etc..but that was ions ago....Now Im 65 and Im not feeling the golden years LOL

Thank God I followed my own intuition. I just graduated high school and didn't attend college. One of my teacher's there spent a 100k in getting his master's for the the study of earth and couldn't get a job in any high schools!

a degree relys alot on you as a person. if you want to add to your field, you make your voice heard. say and do nothing nothing will happen.

It’s hard finding a job with my degree in left-handed puppetry

I found this video while googling videos about the major I plan to switch to. Glad to see that Dave didn't manage to get around to calling out the degrees he thinks are useless for fear that mine would be near the top. "Anthropology" does start with "a" after all.

Love it Dave! That is a hoot!

College is a waste of time and money