In India’s competitive education landscape, higher education isn’t just about earning a degree — it’s about return on investment (ROI). With rising tuition fees across private universities, professional colleges, and specialized institutes, students and parents invest large sums of money with the hope of securing good jobs and comfortable futures.
However, not all degrees deliver this promise. Some programs charge high fees but have weak placement records, low industry demand, and poor salary outcomes, resulting in disappointing ROI.
This article breaks down the major Indian degrees that currently offer high costs but low placement outcomes, explains why they struggle, and offers guidance on how to avoid common pitfalls.
What Do We Mean by “Worst ROI” Degrees?
A degree with poor ROI typically has one or more of the following traits:
- High tuition fees relative to expected salary
- Limited job opportunities after graduation
- Low placement rates or under-employment
- Small employer demand in the industry
- High competition for limited roles
In other words, students pay a lot but get comparatively little career benefit.
1. Private MBA (Without Strong Industry Tie-ups)
MBA programs in India vary dramatically in quality and outcomes. Top B-schools deliver strong placements and salaries, but many private MBA programs do not.
Why ROI Sinks
- Tuition fees are high, especially in private institutes
- Recruiters often prefer graduates from premier B-schools
- MBA grads without practical skills (like analytics, digital strategy, finance tools) struggle to match market demands
- Average placements and starting salaries are low compared to the fee investment
Who It Affects
- Students who pick MBA for prestige rather than skill development
- Graduates with no internships or real business exposure
2. Fashion Designing (From Private Institutes With Weak Placement Support)
Fashion design degrees are often expensive, with high infrastructure and faculty costs. But many institutes fail to provide strong career pathways.
Why ROI Sinks
- Few structured placements or hiring pipelines
- Most jobs are freelance, contract, or portfolio-based
- Students compete with self-taught designers and social media creators
- Salary entry points are often modest despite high fee investments
Who It Affects
- Students without a strong creative portfolio
- Graduates who do not build industry networks
3. Mass Communication and Journalism (Private Colleges With Weak Recruiter Connections)
Mass communication degrees appeal to aspirants who want media, advertising, or film careers. However, many private colleges offer attractive campuses but weak placement ecosystems.
Why ROI Sinks
- Media and journalism jobs are shrinking in traditional outlets
- Recruiters seek experience over academic degrees
- Many graduates take internships without pay before landing low-paid roles
- Average placement numbers are low compared to fees
Who It Affects
- Students relying on campus placements only
- Graduates without portfolio work
4. Air Hostess / Cabin Crew Training (Institutes With High Tuition and Low Job Absorption)
Cabin crew training programs have surged in popularity, often with high course costs for uniforms, grooming, and airport procedures. But the job market is narrow.
Why ROI Sinks
- Airlines hire limited batches each year
- Courses charge high up-front fees
- Placement support is inconsistent
- Many graduates remain unemployed or take unrelated jobs
Who It Affects
- Students without strong communication and interpersonal skill portfolios
- Graduates in regions without airline hubs
5. Interior Designing (Expensive Programs With Limited Direct Hiring)
Interior design is a creative and rewarding discipline, but several institutions charge high fees while offering weak placement outcomes.
Why ROI Sinks
- Limited structured placements
- Many designers start as freelancers or unpaid assistants
- Salary bands are often modest initially
- Strong portfolios matter more than degrees
Who It Affects
- Students awaiting campus placements without portfolios
- Graduates with little real project experience
6. Hospitality & Hotel Management (From Lower-Tier Colleges)
Hospitality management is often marketed as a high-growth field, but outcomes vary by college reputation and industry tie-ups.
Why ROI Sinks
- Lower-tier institutes over-promise placements
- Recruiters prefer established hotels or branded chains
- Entry roles have long hours and low initial pay
- Salary does not match expensive course investment
Who It Affects
- Students focusing only on placements rather than skills
- Graduates without internships in premium hospitality chains
Worst Engineering Branches in India to Choose in 2025
Why These Degrees Often Deliver Poor ROI
Understanding why these programs struggle helps students avoid value traps:
1. Over-Emphasis on Branding, Not Skills
Many institutes rely on flashy campuses and marketing, not industry-aligned curriculum and real business exposure.
2. Weak Industry Linkages
Without consistent recruiter partnerships, campus placements remain limited.
3. Lack of Practical Training
Theoretical learning without internships, live projects, and exposure to current tools reduces employability.
4. Market Shifts Favoring Skills
Employers emphasize work portfolios, digital competency, and relevant certifications more than degree titles.
5. Supply-Demand Mismatch
Too many graduates in certain fields dilute opportunities and depress salaries.
How to Protect Your Career ROI
If you are considering one of these degrees, here’s how to improve your ROI:
1. Evaluate Placement Transparency
Ask colleges for detailed placement statistics, including average salary, number of recruiters, and job profiles.
2. Ask for Industry Partnerships
Strong ties with companies and internship pipelines can improve job outcomes significantly.
3. Build Practical Experience Early
Internships, freelancing, live projects, and portfolios matter more than mere academic performance.
4. Add Job-Relevant Certifications
Digital marketing, data analytics, software tools, business strategy modules, and communication workshops add measurable value.
5. Create a Career Roadmap
Identify a 3-year plan with milestones — internships, portfolio building, skill acquisition — to reduce risk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does a high fee always mean poor placement outcomes?
Not always. Some expensive programs have strong placement cells, industry collaborations, and valuable alumni networks. The issue arises when high fees are not matched by credible outcomes.
2. Are these degrees useless if they have low placement rates?
No. A degree is not useless. But without skills, exposure, and real industry experience, many graduates struggle to convert academic credentials into career opportunities.
3. Should students avoid these courses entirely?
Not necessarily. Students should avoid blindly enrolling without researching placement records, salary statistics, internships, and industry connections. A strategic approach is key.
4. Can upskilling overcome weak placements?
Yes. Skills in digital tools, communication, data analysis, creative portfolios, or software expertise can significantly enhance employability even for courses with low placement histories.
5. What should students focus on to improve ROI?
Focus on three things: skills, experience, and real work outcomes. Degrees matter less when students can demonstrate impact through portfolios and practical capabilities.
1 thought on “Indian Degrees With High Fees but Low Placement – Worst ROI Courses in 2025”