Not every major is guaranteed to pay you back.David Ramos/Getty Images
To find the majors that are least likely to pay you back (at least in a financial sense), we looked at this year's College Salary Report from PayScale,which was compiled using data from more than a million college grads who successfully completed PayScale's employee survey.
Here are the 21 college majors that see the lowest salaries for workers with at least 10 years of experience, as well as common jobs associated with each major.
21. Athletic training
Common jobs: Athletic trainer, assistant athletic trainer, physical therapist assistant
Starting median pay: $36,000
Mid-career median pay: $51,900
20. Parks and recreation management
Common jobs: Parks and recreation director, program coordinator of a nonprofit organization, recreation supervisor
Starting median pay: $38,200
Mid-career median pay: $51,700
19. (tie) Health services administration
Common jobs: Medical office manager, office coordinator, administrative coordinator
Starting median pay: $36,300
Mid-career median pay: $51,500
19. (tie) Special education
Common jobs: Elementary school teacher, special education teacher of preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, or secondary school
Starting median pay: $35,000
Mid-career median pay: $51,500
17. Art teacher education
Common jobs: Art teacher, graphic designer, administrative assistant
Starting median pay: $35,300
Mid-career median pay: $51,300
16. Theology
Common jobs: Pastor, youth minister, associate pastor
Starting median pay: $37,600
Mid-career median pay: $51,200
15. (tie) Pastoral ministry
Common jobs: Senior pastor, youth pastor, pastor
Starting median pay: $32,800
Mid-career median pay: $50,500
15. (tie) Culinary arts and food service management
Common jobs: Executive chef, line cook, food service director
Starting median pay: $34,700
Mid-career median pay: $50,500
15. (tie) Horticulture
Common jobs: Horticulturist, landscape designer, landscape manager
Starting median pay: $37,600
Mid-career median pay: $50,500
12. Bible studies and theology
Common jobs: Pastor, senior pastor, youth pastor
Starting median pay: $34,900
Mid-career median pay: $50,400
11. Biblical studies
Common jobs: Youth pastor, associate pastor, program coordinator of a nonprofit organization
Starting median pay: $36,200
Mid-career median pay: $49,400
10. Elementary education
Common jobs: Elementary school teacher, head teacher, preschool teacher
Starting median pay: $34,700
Mid-career median pay: $48,900
9. Youth ministry
Common jobs: Youth pastor, youth minister, youth director of a church
Starting median pay: $32,900
Mid-career median pay: $48,400
8. Human development and family studies
Common jobs: Program coordinator of a nonprofit organization, case manager, daycare teacher
Starting median pay: $34,300
Mid-career median pay: $47,800
7. Therapeutic recreation
Common jobs: Certified therapeutic recreation specialist, recreation therapist, activity director
Starting median pay: $35,200
Mid-career median pay: $47,700
6. Social work
Common jobs: Social worker, case manager, social services director
Starting median pay: $33,800
Mid-career median pay: $46,700
5. Human services
Common jobs: Case manager, social worker, program coordinator of a nonprofit organization
Starting median pay: $34,000
Mid-career median pay: $44,600
4. Child development
Common jobs: Preschool teacher, head teacher, child care center director
Starting median pay: $32,000
Mid-career median pay: $42,500
3. Early childhood and elementary education
Common jobs: Elementary school teacher, head teacher, director of preschool
Starting median pay: $34,800
Mid-career median pay: $41,900
2. Child and family studies
Common jobs: Nanny, preschool teacher, daycare teacher
Starting median pay: $31,400
Mid-career median pay: $40,700
1. Early childhood education
Common jobs: Preschool teacher, head teacher, elementary school teacher
Starting median pay: $30,700
Mid-career median pay: $37,500
