College Majors
That May
Lose Funding

There's a quiet shift happening in higher education right now.

And almost no one is talking about it.

Soon, some college majors may lose access to federal student loans entirely.

Not because they're unpopular.
Not because they're “easy.”

But because…
their graduates don't earn enough money.

The New Rule (Simple Version)

Congress has introduced an earnings test:

If graduates of a program don't earn more than a typical high school graduate, that program can lose federal loan eligibility.

And this isn't theoretical.

About 5% of programs are expected to fail
Programs must fail 2 out of 3 years to be cut off
Earliest impact: late 2020s rollout

Translation:

👉 Some degrees are about to become financially radioactive ☢️

What This Actually Means for Families

🤫 This is the part no one says out loud:

💰 Colleges can keep offering these majors.

But:

Students may not be able to borrow for them
Families will have to pay out of pocket
Or… students will quietly switch majors midstream

This is a massive signal from the government:

“Some degrees are not producing enough economic value.”

High-Risk Majors (Where to Be Careful)

If you're paying close attention, these are the categories that most often show up on the wrong side of earnings data:

Performing Arts & Fine Arts
Psychology (Bachelor's only)
Social Work / Social Services
Education (especially early childhood)
Theology / Religious Studies
Liberal Arts / General Studies
Communications / Journalism / Media

Important: This Is NOT “Never Choose These”

Let's be clear:

Some students thrive in these fields.

But the risk profile is different.

👉 These majors often require:

strategic internships
graduate school planning
or low-cost education paths

The Safer Pattern (What Tends to Pass)

Programs most likely to pass the earnings test:

Engineering
Computer science
Finance / accounting
Healthcare fields

Most programs, especially STEM, will pass easily.

What I Tell Families

Before choosing a major, ask:

1. What do graduates earn 4 years out?
2. What % are underemployed?
3. Does this require grad school to work?
4. What happens if my student changes their mind?

Because one mistake here isn't just academic.

It's financial.

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of programs at risk:

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/27212889/