Harvard economists highlight that the value of some traditional degrees, like computer science, engineering, and business, declines over time due to fast-changing job skills. Continuous upskilling is essential, as not all degrees guarantee long-term career returns.

In an era when the promise of higher education is being redefined, new research from Harvard economists suggests that not all college degrees deliver lasting financial returns.

Once considered a guaranteed path to success, traditional majors, ranging from business to engineering, are now showing signs of "degree fatigue," as rapidly changing job markets and automation reshape the value of academic credentials.

Harvard labour economist David J Deming and researcher Kadeem Noray revealed in their 2020 study that the returns on traditional applied degrees, such as computer science, engineering, and business, tend to diminish quickly over time.

Their findings reveal that degrees once considered gold standards are now losing their shine, as rapid industry changes make continual upskilling essential to preserve their market value.

Even elite business degrees aren't immune. Reports from Harvard Business School and other Ivy League career centres in early 2025 observed that top MBA graduates are struggling to secure high-tier roles, a sign that even prestige no longer guarantees placement or pay.

HUMANITIES IN RETREAT

While applied sciences are facing their own form of instability, the humanities and social sciences continue to experience a slow fade in student interest. Data from The Harvard Crimson show a steady drop in humanities concentrators since 2013, as students increasingly opt for STEM and career-focused programs that promise clearer job outcomes.

This trend, experts say, reflects not just shifting student priorities but also employer preferences. Harvard's 2022 report on "degree reset" highlighted that companies are increasingly dropping generic degree requirements in favour of specific, demonstrable skills, from data analytics to digital literacy.

DEGREES LOSING MARKET VALUE

According to Harvard research and 2025 market reports, the following ten degrees are seeing a significant decline in long-term value and career returns:

1. General Business Administration (MBA included) ? Oversaturation and evolving hiring preferences have reduced returns.

2. Computer Science ? High starting pay but rapid skill decay without constant upskilling.

3. Mechanical Engineering ? Impacted by automation and offshore production.

4. Accounting ? AI and automation reducing human roles.

5. Biochemistry ? Limited real-world applications outside academia.

6. Psychology (Undergraduate) ? Few direct job pathways without advanced degrees.

7. English and Humanities ? Declining enrolments and uncertain career value.

8. Sociology and Social Sciences ? Weak job-market alignment.

9. History ? Lower mid-career wage premiums.

10. Philosophy ? Skills valued, but not directly marketable.

A SHIFT TOWARD SKILLS AND ADAPTABILITY

A 2025 Student Choice report further confirms the trend, ranking engineering, computer science, and nursing as the most resilient majors with strong return on investment (ROI). However, it also emphasizes that creative and emotionally intelligent graduates, those who can think critically and adapt, will continue to thrive in hybrid career spaces.

Harvard researchers argue that the future of education lies in flexibility and inter-disciplinarity. Degrees that blend technology, human-centred thinking, and continual learning are expected to outperform narrow, legacy disciplines.

Harvard's findings make one thing clear: the college degree isn't dead, but its definition of value is changing. The future belongs to students who treat education not as a one-time credential, but as a continuum of learning. As the economy transforms, the winners will be those who combine technical expertise with adaptability, creativity, and social intelligence, skills that no degree alone can guarantee. (India Today)

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