College is often sold as a golden ticket: you graduate, land a dream job, and watch your bank account grow. But sometimes that ticket comes with a surprise student loan debt. On average, US students owe about $39,075 in federal loans by the time they toss their graduation caps in the air. While a bachelor’s degree can boost your earning potential, certain majors are more likely to leave graduates under a mountain of debt.According to the Education Data Initiative, some degrees are especially notorious for saddling students with heavy loans. Here’s a look at the 15 majors that tend to leave students paying off debt long after graduation—and what careers they actually lead to.
Communications and journalism
Students pursuing communications or journalism often graduate with average student debt of $25,925. While traditional journalism roles are one option, graduates can also branch into copywriting, social media management, public relations, and human resources. It’s a versatile degree—but the loan repayment is a reality check.
Health professions and clinical sciences
Degrees in health professions or related clinical sciences can lead to careers in healthcare administration, clinical research, or education. Students in this field carry an average debt of $25,952, meaning the work of caring for others can start alongside a hefty repayment plan.
Visual and performing arts
Visual and performing arts graduates face significant financial risk, with average debt around $26,468. Careers may range from painting and design to acting or dance, but the unpredictability of the arts market means balancing creativity with finances is a must.
Arts, entertainment, and media management
A degree in arts, entertainment, or media management opens doors in music, sports, TV, and film. Graduates share an average debt of $26,468, showing that even behind-the-scenes roles in glamorous industries come with a hefty price tag.
Architecture
Architecture combines creativity and engineering, preparing graduates for work in building design, urban planning, or interior design. Yet, the cost of this preparation is high: students leave school with an average of $26,468 in loans.
Music
Whether dreaming of the stage, studio, or classroom, music majors face significant debt. Students leave school with an average of $26,600, even as their career paths span teaching, sound engineering, or studio management.
Physical sciences
Degrees in physics, chemistry, or other physical sciences provide a foundation for engineering, environmental science, and related fields. Students graduate with an average debt of $26,635, reflecting the cost of preparing for technically demanding careers.
Natural sciences
Natural science students—covering biology, chemistry, and foundational sciences—graduate with average loans of $26,912. While these degrees can be a stepping stone to medicine, pharmacy, or research, the financial burden is substantial.
Literature
English literature graduates may enter teaching, writing, journalism, or public relations, but they also carry an average student debt of $26,987, making early career paychecks feel surprisingly small.
Clinical, counselling, and applied psychology
Psychology undergraduates leave school with an average of $27,439 in debt. Many pursue careers as school counselors, social workers, or behavior technicians, though higher-paying roles typically require graduate study.
Education
Graduates with education degrees have noble goals—teaching, tutoring, or career counseling—but often carry an average debt of $28,001. With median teacher salaries around $64,390, budgeting and careful financial planning are key.
Human services
Human services is a broad field covering social work, community outreach, and counseling. Students graduate with average debt of $28,586, highlighting the financial challenges of entering helping professions.
Culinary arts
Culinary arts graduates dream of becoming chefs or restaurateurs, yet their average student debt of $28,586 shows that cooking up a career comes at a cost. Starting salaries often lag behind the loans incurred, making smart financial planning essential.
Religious education
Religious education graduates can pursue teaching, nonprofit work, or positions within religious institutions. Average student debt in this field is $31,984, showing that even spiritually rewarding careers often come with a financial weight.
Behavioral sciences
Behavioral sciences students study human behavior and organizational systems. Graduates carry the heaviest debt on this list, averaging $42,822, reflecting the broad applicability of the degree and the cost of preparation.
Bottom line
The Education Data Initiative reports that total student loan debt in the US reached $1.81 trillion in the second quarter of 2025. While these figures may be intimidating, choosing a degree you are passionate about can still pay off—if you plan wisely. Scholarships, side hustles, and smart loan repayment strategies can help graduates chase their dreams without letting debt become a lifelong shadow.Because the truth is: you can pursue your passion—and survive your student loans.
