Low ROI Degrees: Choosing a college degree is the biggest and most important decision for Indian students these days. We have always heard that a good degree can change our life. It is true that education has its own value. But not every degree always gives as much return (ROI) as we think. In simple words, ROI (Return in Investment) means that you do not get as much benefit from your career in return for the money you have invested during your studies.

Unfortunately, there are many such degrees in India which take a lot of time and money, but after that it is very difficult to get a job and a good salary. Yes, if someone does all this out of their own interest then it is worth it. But if a student wants quick financial stability then many times these degrees disappoint.

Below I have mentioned some low ROI degrees along with my experience and observation.

1. Hotel Management (except from top institutes like IHM)

Investment: 3–4 years + fees of ₹3–6 lakhs in private colleges.

Reality Check: Unless you graduate from prestigious institutes like IHM, the starting salary in hotels is often around ₹12,000–₹18,000 per month. Even after years of work, growth is slow compared to IT or finance sectors.

Experience Insight: A friend who studied hotel management from a mid-tier college ended up working long shifts in a restaurant with very little pay. He eventually switched to a digital marketing job for better income.

2. Fashion Design (from lesser-known colleges)

Investment: ₹4–10 lakhs, depending on the institute.

Reality Check: Fashion is glamorous on the outside, but jobs are limited. Without a strong personal brand, internship experience, or a degree from top schools like NIFT, most students end up underpaid in boutiques or small export houses.

Experience Insight: Many fashion graduates I met during internships were freelancing on Instagram just to make ends meet. Only a handful with strong networking managed to break into good labels.

3. Law (from non-NLU colleges)

Investment: 5 years + fees of ₹5–15 lakhs.

Reality Check: Unless you get into a top National Law University (NLU), legal jobs don’t pay well in the beginning. Many fresh graduates work under senior lawyers for stipends as low as ₹3,000–₹5,000 per month. Big law firm packages are reserved for top-tier college students.

Experience Insight: A cousin who studied law outside NLU struggled for years, doing unpaid internships. Eventually, he had to prepare for government exams to find financial stability.

4. Pharmacy (B.Pharm)

Investment: 4 years + ₹3–6 lakhs in fees.

Reality Check: Despite being a healthcare-related field, salaries are surprisingly low. A B.Pharm graduate often starts at ₹12,000–₹20,000 monthly in medical stores or as a sales rep. To earn decently, most students go for M.Pharm or MBA in Pharmaceutical Management.

Experience Insight: One of my classmates did B.Pharm and ended up working as a medical representative with hectic targets and long hours, but his pay was barely enough to cover his education loan.

5. Journalism and Mass Communication

Investment: 3 years + ₹3–8 lakhs.

Reality Check: Media sounds exciting, but freshers often earn less than ₹20,000 a month while working in stressful environments. Unless you climb the ladder or shift to PR/advertising, financial growth is slow.

Experience Insight: A college senior got into a regional news channel. Despite her passion, she had to leave because the pay couldn’t even cover rent in a metro city.

6. Fine Arts & Performing Arts

Investment: 3–5 years of study.

Reality Check: These courses are deeply fulfilling for those passionate about arts, but financially they rarely guarantee stability. Many graduates turn to teaching, freelancing, or side businesses to survive.

Experience Insight: An artist friend from my neighborhood spent four years studying fine arts but now earns more by conducting weekend art classes for children than from professional exhibitions.

7. General Science Degrees (B.Sc. without specialization)

Investment: 3 years + fees of ₹1–3 lakhs.

Reality Check: A plain B.Sc. (like B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics) has very limited job opportunities unless followed by M.Sc., Ph.D., or government exams. Otherwise, most students end up in teaching or low-paying private jobs.

Experience Insight: Many of my B.Sc. batchmates eventually shifted to preparing for banking or UPSC exams because job options after graduation were very limited.

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Why Do These Degrees Have Low ROI?

1. Mismatch of supply and demand: Too many graduates, fewer jobs.

2. Industry preference: Companies value practical skills, not just degrees.

3. Dependence on reputation: Only students from top-tier colleges in these fields get good salaries.

4. Slow career progression: Fields like law, hotel management, or journalism may pay later, but require years of struggle initially.

Conclusion

Education should never be judged only by money, but let’s be honest, in India, where students and families invest huge amounts into degrees, financial return matters. If you’re passionate about any of the fields above, you should still pursue them, but with realistic expectations. At the same time, students should explore alternative or parallel skills like digital marketing, coding, graphic design, or entrepreneurship that can provide quicker income.

Low ROI Degrees in India: Courses That Don’t Pay Back Well