Drop Out Or Stick With It
The path to a diploma can be smooth or feel like a treadmill set to max incline. Every college degree has its own rhythm—while some degrees don’t hold students for long, others are practically dropout-proof. If you’re planning your future or just curious about where students stick around (or bail), read on. Before we cover those that are winning in the retention game, let’s start with those where the lecture hall is gradually emptying.
1. Art
Studio fees and material costs make art degrees financially taxing, especially for students with limited resources. Mental health challenges are also common and are linked to subjective grading and creative pressure. Without a strong support system, many students disengage before completing their degrees.
2. Architecture
Architecture programs are notorious for burnout. According to College Dropout Statistics, architecture programs have a 7.2% dropout rate, largely due to intense workload and long studio hours. Additionally, the subjective nature of design critiques can affect student confidence and persistence.
3. Advertising
Many advertising students vanish mid-degree when they realize their career goals are shifting faster than the industry itself. Between balancing creativity, business, and the pressure of staying relevant, dropping out becomes a quiet exit strategy.
Mikael Blomkvist on Pexels4. Communications
As the media world evolves, communications students frequently feel uncertain about their career paths. Many opt for specialized majors, such as media production, instead. Online distractions, like social media, don’t help retention rates either.
Ivan Samkov on Pexels5. Psychology
Heavy reading loads and dense research requirements can overwhelm psychology majors. Mental health struggles are also more common among students in this field, complicating academic persistence. For those seeking immediate career clarity, this one feels too long-term.
6. Sociology
Sociology’s abstract content catches some students off guard. Many start out interested in social issues but transfer to other majors like social work, which feel more action-oriented. Persistence also varies based on students’ financial and personal circumstances.
7. Health Sciences
You'd think a career helping others stay healthy would be, well, healthier. But health science students continually burn themselves out trying to juggle coursework and clinicals. Many reroute to nursing or allied health before stress takes over.
8. Business (Certain Specializations)
The ROI may not be worth it when you’re buried in finance formulas. Quant-heavy specializations in business like accounting and economics see higher dropout rates, especially when students doubt the payoff. Without strong internship support or clear direction, many simply check out.
9. Computer Science
According to Education Data, computer science has one of the highest dropout rates among STEM majors. Complex coding and fast-paced course changes make it hard to keep up. Male students, in particular, drop out at higher rates.
10. Engineering
Engineering students struggle with intensive STEM content, especially calculus and physics. Retention is lower among women, despite growing enrollment. The high rates are due to rigid accreditation standards and time management challenges in a demanding discipline.
Not every major is a dropout minefield. The next 10 programs seem to have the code to keep students engaged and on track.
1. Nursing
Thanks to the promise of a stable, purposeful career, nursing students keep going when the hours are long and the stakes are high. With hands-on clinicals and solid financial aid, many students stay the course all the way to licensure.
2. Pharmacy
Pharmacy majors rarely drop out, mainly because the degree is a must-have for licensure. Strong academic support and tutoring reinforce student confidence. Add in reliable job prospects, and sticking around starts to feel more worth it.
3. Dental Hygiene
Scholars in dental hygiene don’t just study—they practice. Early hands-on training boosts engagement, while flexible part-time formats help working students keep up. Also, financial aid targeted at dental programs helps keep dropouts in check.
Duy Tân Đại học on Pexels4. Law (Pre-Law)
Pre-law students are typically highly motivated from the start, due to selective admissions and a precise end goal. Most law schools also offer academic and mental health support systems. Prestige and structured career paths reduce uncertainty, making this one of the most persistent academic tracks.
5. Physical Therapy
Clinical internships aren’t just part of the physical therapy curriculum—they’re the glue. These experiences help students visualize their future and stay engaged. When paired with scholarships and a clear career track, dropping out becomes unlikely.
Funkcinės Terapijos Centras on Pexels
6. Education
Education majors don’t walk alone. Faculty mentorship and a clear career path make this one of the most supported academic journeys. That strong foundation helps students graduate ready to lead their own classrooms.
7. Allied Health
A proven way to keep students enrolled is to connect them directly to employers. Allied health programs pair skill-building with job pipelines, and this makes it easier for students to see the finish line.
8. Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary students tend to stick around—and it’s not just because they love animals. Programs are built around small cohort models that encourage strong peer support from day one. With a stable job outlook, students stay engaged. Many even enter the program with long-standing career goals.
9. Accounting
In accounting, students understand that becoming a CPA requires completing their degree, which instills strong motivation from the outset. Consistent internship pipelines and a reliable job market help keep momentum going. BestColleges (2024) also points to academic counseling as a key factor in helping students finish strong.
10. Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy programs have one of the lowest dropout rates at 5%, according to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Short program lengths and defined job outcomes make pharmacy tech training especially completion-friendly.
