Going to college is a requirement for great career and financial success, right? The answer may no longer be an obvious “yes.” While a college degree can definitely help you find a higher-paying job, there are some complicating factors, including education debt and the fact that it takes college graduates six months on average to find their first job.

Many college graduates today are struggling to find jobs in their area of study while many others are getting jobs that do not require a college diploma. Naturally, the global pandemic has also impacted employment prospects for a lot of people across the globe.

In 2020, the unemployment rate for college graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher was a very low 2 percent. Interestingly, the underemployment rate—those who are underpaid or overqualified—for this group was greater than 50 percent, according to the University of Washington. Nevertheless, the difference in pay for a high school graduate versus a college graduate is nearly 75 percent—meaning that degrees do pay off in the end.

Certain college and trade school degrees are more employable than others: While liberal arts and mass media graduates face higher unemployment rates, the college majors with the lowest unemployment rates include medical technicians, theology and religion majors, and education. Trade school graduates reported an unemployment rate of just over 5 percent in 2018.

While a college degree is still the best way to launch a successful career, this path may not be for everyone, and it is important to take individual circumstances into consideration when it comes making key decisions on employment, careers and college.