College Majors Should Come with Warning Labels

The Surgeon General has a warning label on cigarettes. I think the Department of Education should put the same warning labels on students taking out loans for majors with low earnings outcomes.

Should Low-Earning College Degrees Come With Warning Labels?

Imagine this: you’re a high school senior excited to start your college journey. You decide to major in a subject you’re passionate about but also borrow tens of thousands of dollars to fund your education. Four years later, you graduate, only to discover that your degree doesn’t open the doors you hoped for—and your student loan payments feel like an insurmountable weight. The stress, anxiety, and financial strain that follow can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Debt, like smoking, is hazardous to your well-being. So, should certain college degrees come with warning labels?

Seriously, Debt Can Affect Your Health and Mental Well-Being

Debt may not come with the same immediate physical consequences as smoking, but its long-term effects can be just as harmful. Studies have linked high levels of student debt to chronic stress, depression, and even physical health problems like high blood pressure. Carrying large amounts of debt can delay major life milestones such as buying a home, starting a family, or saving for retirement, which in turn exacerbates stress and feelings of inadequacy.

In many ways, debt can feel like a slow-burning cigarette: you may not notice the damage at first, but the compounding effects can be devastating over time. If we warn people about the risks of smoking, shouldn’t we also warn them about the risks of taking on debt for degrees that may not offer a financial return?

Some Degrees Really Need Warning Labels If You're Taking a Loan to Pay for Them

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