The 6 worst college studies to choose if you want to make big money in your first job, from psychology to hospitality

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This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

According to an analysis by the Federal Reserve of New York, six college degrees helped graduates earn a median salary of $40,000 or less five years after graduation.

The best salaries usually belong to graduates in technology and science fields. Photograph by Barry Austin

The analysis, released in February, took into account the earnings of recent university graduates and explored the labor market by their university major. Data from the New York Federal Reserve analyzed the median salaries of graduates aged 22 to 27 in 2021.

The New York Federal Reserve found that the six lowest-paying majors were in the social sciences and liberal arts. By comparison, the highest-paying majors were all from STEM industries, which include careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Notably, chemical engineers took the top spot in high salaries, with a median salary of $75,000 five years after graduation.

Find out how much the lowest-paying majors earn, according to data from the New York Fed. Underemployment — defined in the report as working in jobs that don't typically require a college degree — and unemployment rates for each major are also shared.

Applicants are ranked from highest to lowest median salary.

6. Performing arts

Performing arts can include dance, music and drama. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Median salary, beginning of career: $39,000

Unemployment rate: 7.6%

Unemployment rate: 64%

People who majored in the performing arts earned a median salary of $62,000 as a mid-career worker in 2021, according to the New York Federal Reserve.

According to Indeed, a US-based employment website, careers performing arts graduates take up include choreography, which earns a national average salary of $28,289 per year. At the upper end of the market, creative directors earn a national average salary of $75,687 per year.

5. Leisure and Hospitality

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The leisure and hospitality sector includes hotels, restaurants and tourism. Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock

Median salary, beginning of career: $38,000

Unemployment rate: 5.3%

Unemployment rate: 58.6%

Recreation and hospitality graduates can expect to earn $60,000 mid-career, according to the New York Federal Reserve.

Some of the jobs graduates hold include assistant general manager, which pays an average of $43,943 per year, and, at the higher level, regional manager, which pays an average of $52,669 per year, according to Indeed .

4. Psychology

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Psychology can be a broad field, encompassing jobs ranging from psychiatry to business. Getty

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