Why are humanities majors declining?

Many possible reasons for the decline in humanities enrollment are mentioned in these discussions: a general atmosphere in society and politics that considers the humanities useless and discourages students from majoring in them, a push toward STEM fields in both student recruiting and campus investments, and the ...

Are people losing interest in humanities?

In 2020, only 1 in 10 college students graduated with a degree in humanities such as English, philosophy, and history, which is a 25% drop from 2012 according to The Hechinger Report. This steady decline leaves those studying or hoping to study humanities disheartened.

Why are humanities majors looked down on?

Humanities, liberal arts and fine arts majors are typically looked down upon, often due to the fact that careers in these fields are not typically very high paying.

Is enrollment in humanities dropping?

During the past decade, the study of English and history at the collegiate level has fallen by a full third. Humanities enrollment in the United States has declined over all by seventeen per cent, Townsend found.

Are humanities obsolete?

As the perception of the humanities as useless disciplines proliferates, their numbers rapidly decline: The number of history majors has decreased by 45 percent since 2007, and English has plummeted by half since the mid-1990s. But data indicates majoring in the humanities doesn't limit students' future options.

Why I'm Studying A Useless Degree

When did the humanities start to decline?

Humanities as a Share of National Degrees

Between 1966 and 2010, there was a 50 percent decline of humanities degrees, but the bulk of that decline occurred between 1970 and the mid-1980s. The decline of the humanities at Harvard over that same time period was, thankfully, less pronounced.

What is the hardest humanities major?

Philosophy and some foreign languages (including classical) can be challenging but it also depends on your school. Students must engage with abstract concepts and dense texts in philosophy, which can be intellectually demanding.

Are universities losing students?

In the past decade, total college enrollment has dropped by about 1.95 million students, or by about 10%. The undergraduate college enrollment decline has accelerated since the pandemic began, resulting in a loss of nearly 1.4 million students, or almost 9% of total enrollment, between spring 2019 and spring 2023.

Are liberal arts majors declining?

Despite these wonderful trends, however, the pursuit of liberal arts is in a steep decline. From 2012 to 2020, graduates with humanities degrees declined by 29.6 percent.

Why is university enrollment declining?

College enrollment declines have accelerated since pandemic

Undergraduate completion fell for the first time in ten years. There are more “stopped out” students—students who left college with some credits but no degree. Fewer students are transferring from two-year to four-year institutions.

Is it worth it to major in the humanities?

Humanities majors have higher earnings and lower unemployment rates than people without any college degree. Despite growing skepticism about the value of humanities degrees, college graduates who majored in a humanities field outearn people with no degree in every state, a new report has found.

Is it OK to major in humanities?

“There is very little question that humanities majors have more or less the same career opportunities as most other majors,” says Sara Guyer, dean of arts and humanities at Berkeley. When it comes to addressing complex issues such as a pandemic, science alone isn't enough, she says.

Why humanities are better than STEM?

Some benefits of humanities include a more broad knowledge of different subjects, analysis skills, discovering morality and ethics, critical thinking, and understanding and empathy for others.

Are humanities majors happier?

The data reveal that humanities majors' overall job satisfaction is similar to that of graduates with bachelor's degrees in other fields and that majors who earn an advanced degree (in the humanities or another field) are somewhat more likely to be satisfied with their work.

Are humanities degrees declining worldwide except at community colleges?

The Humanities Indicators released updates on recent trends in humanities degrees today, demonstrating continued declines in humanities bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in the years before the pandemic. The notable exception was found at two-year colleges.

What percentage of college students major in humanities?

In 2020, the number of college students earning a bachelor's degree in a humanities field fell for the eighth consecutive year. Over that time, the number of humanities degrees awarded dropped by 25%. By 2020, they constituted less than 10% of all bachelor's degrees awarded, an all-time low figure.

What majors are declining?

The humanities and social sciences face the most significant threat, while physics, engineering, and similar fields have also felt the pinch post-COVID-19. As colleges continue to face enrollment declines and financial stress, many are turning to cutting less-popular majors.

Do employers care about liberal arts degrees?

Four out of five employers prefer new college graduates who have an education grounded in the liberal arts, according to a study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The study also found employers want new grads to possess both a broad knowledge base and skills within a specific field.

Why do employers like liberal arts majors?

“Liberal arts students really are forward thinking, innovative, and creative in these fields.” And with its focus on wide applicability, a liberal arts degree can prepare you to use your skills in myriad ways. Such flexibility may bode well for an evolving job market.

What percentage of UK students drop out?

See what you could study at uni. 6 in every 100 (6.3%) - that's how many students drop out of university in the UK on average. With drop-out rates amongst UK students rising, perhaps there is a need to look closer into the divide - and that's what the team at Debut Careers have done.

What is the dropout rate for university students in the UK?

Across all students receiving funding, the data shows that 2.7 per cent dropped out in 2022-23 – up slightly from the year before, and also the highest since comparable records began.

Is it wrong to drop out of uni?

If leaving is the best decision for you, there's no need to feel embarrassed or as if you've made a mistake - university isn't for everyone, and you won't always find this out until you've given it a go. However, you'll likely have to think about how to get a job with no experience, unless you've worked previously.

Is stem really harder than humanities?

If you lack a strong mathematical foundation, then STEM may be much harder for you. However, if you are an international student from a country where STEM was emphasized in school curriculum, the humanities will be much more difficult for you.

What are the best degrees in humanities?

What is the hardest subject on earth?