In the months leading to graduation, many college students all experience similar fears—what to do, where to go, which job is best, etc. However, a new, frightening trend called “underemployment” may make your preconceived anxieties about leaving college for the “real world” even worse.
Underemployment is “the condition in which people in a labor force are employed at less than full-time or regular jobs or at jobs inadequate with respect to their training or economic needs.” In other words, college graduates often land jobs that don’t match their educational qualifications, pushing them into amateur roles for which they may be overqualified for.
What This Means for People Completing Their Degrees
As of February 2026, about 42% of recent college graduates are underemployed, working in jobs that typically don’t require a college degree according to Forbes. This can have detrimental impacts on students’ career trajectory, financial strain, skill mismatch, and mental health.
Starting a career in a role that doesn’t require a college degree can hinder long-term career growth. Graduates who start their careers underemployed often remain underemployed even a decade later. In addition, underemployment often results in lower wages, leading to financial instability.
Working in a job that doesn’t utilize your top skills and education can caused skill atrophy, making it harder for recent graduates to transition into roles that match their qualifications. These factors, in addition to the stress and frustration of being underemployed, negatively impact mental health and career success.
Despite these possible strains, certain degrees have lower rates of underemployment, and being aware of this issue already sets you up for greater success. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York recently provided a roundup of the underemployment degrees list as well as the most employed majors.
Based on the latest release, the fields with the lowest underemployment rates are nursing, education, and engineering.
SDSU Online Programs to Avoid Underemployment
SDSU Online offers several online degree programs with lower rates of underemployment for graduates. Let’s dive into the fields of nursing, computer engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and how these paths set you up to avoid the possibility of underemployment:
Nursing
The New York Fed reported that nursing has a low underemployment rate of only 12.8%. It’s additionally noted that nursing has both low underemployment and above-average pay — a rare combination in the market.
SDSU Online recently announced a new Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. This hybrid programs allows degree-holders to transition into the stable field of nursing in just 18 months. The curriculum combines online coursework, in-person training labs, and clinical placements across San Diego County.
You’re able to leverage your existing undergraduate education into a rewarding career in doctors offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. This program gives you knowledge, hands-on experience, and most importantly, a clear path to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Computer Engineering
Engineering majors also had some of the lowest unemployment rates, all falling below 20%.
The online Master’s in Computer Engineering program focuses on emerging technologies and provides a research-intensive environment. The curriculum includes courses on machine learning, computer networks, and embedded systems.
With a growing reliance on mobile technology and tech start-ups, graduates from this program are in high demand. Our program prepares students for roles in both hardware and software engineering, with numerous job openings projected annually.
Civil Engineering
Our online Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering degree completion program is designed to fast-track students into successful engineering careers. The program includes hands-on surveying experience and courses developed by expert instructors.
Graduates work in various fields such as construction, urban development, and public policy. The program boasts a high employment rate, and graduates find roles in both the public and private sectors.
Electrical Engineering
The online Master’s in Electrical Engineering program is designed for working professionals, offering flexibility and a curriculum that covers advanced topics in communications, digital signal processing, and energy systems.
Graduates from this program are well-prepared for high-demand roles in various industries, with a median annual salary of $106,950 and a projected industry growth of 9% over the next ten years.
Make the Right Choice!
Underemployment is a significant concern for recent college graduates, but choosing the right degree can help mitigate this risk. Our programs in nursing, computer engineering, civil engineering, and electrical engineering prepare students for successful careers with lower rates of underemployment. Explore these programs to set yourself up for a bright and stable future!
