Arts and Sciences | Business and Industry | Health Education and Human SciencesOctober 31, 2025

Recession-Proof Careers: Jobs Designed to Withstand an Economic Downfall

Written By: Meagan Cleveland

Recession is a word that often raises eyebrows and creates financial worry. Though recessions are unavoidable, some careers are built to withstand the downfalls that come with one.  

These “recession-proof” careers often offer services of necessities for people. The concern to find financial stability in a career is understandable. We’ve put together a list of recession-proof industries along with career-specific programs the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith offers.   

Healthcare  

Healthcare houses many careers, including careers that don’t require a degree in healthcare. According to the UAFS website, these programs provide students with the education and hands-on learning needed to find a career in healthcare through:  

• Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene: Prepares students for the written National Board Examination and the clinical dental hygiene examinations required for licensure. The annual median wage for dental hygienists in 2024 is $94,260, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). 

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Qualifies students to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and are prepared for various roles within a multitude of nursing specialties. The annual median wage for nurses is $93,600. 

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Facilitates the development of critical and analytical thinking and research skills. The median annual wage for degree holders working in psychology is $55,000. 

Education 

The Education field provides financial security while creating lasting impacts on students’ lives. According to the UAFS website, these programs set students up for successful careers within the Education industry through: 

• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education: Designed for preschool workers and P-4 teaching assistants which makes it a great choice for lead teachers in Head Start and private centers. 

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (K-6): Combines advanced theory with extensive hands-on public school experience. 

• Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education (4-8): Provides an in-depth curriculum with concentrations in English, math, science, and social studies taught by accomplished education faculty. 

UAFS offers licensure programs in Biology, English, History, Mathematics, and Music Education. To explore these programs, please visit UAFS School of Education.   

The median annual wage for those with an education degree is $52,000, according to the BLS. 

Computer and Information Technology 

The need for Computer and Information Technology careers will continue to grow as the demand for digital discourse grows. According to the UAFS website, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science equips students with knowledge to land a job within the Computer and Information Technology: 

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: prepares you for an occupation in the rapidly changing world of software engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, cloud computing, and analysis of big data. The 2024 annual median salary, according to the BLS, is $105,990. 

Law 

Industries rely on law to create safe and effective procedures, attorneys and judges are sometimes needed to handle disputes, and businesses rely on law within HR departments. The UAFS website states the program equips students for jobs in legal studies:  

• Certificate of Proficiency in Pre-Law Studies: provides students with the writing, argumentation, and analytical reasoning skills necessary for law school while also preparing them for the LSAT or GRE. The 2024 median salary for lawyers is $151,160. 

Social Work  

Social work improves the lives of individuals, families, and communities. The support and advocacy provided by those serving in social work careers enhances the well-being of those in need. According to the UAFS website, the Bachelor of Social Work:  

• Bachelor of Social Work: prepares a professional and ethical generalist social worker to be a critical thinker who is grounded in the liberal arts and advocates for social, economic, and environmental justice using evidence-based strategies to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The average 2024 annual salary for social workers is $61,330, according to the BLS. 

There may be no way to know for certain how and when a recession will affect an industry, but students can take into consideration the pros and cons of “recession-proof” careers.  

Explore other programs offered by UAFS here.  

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• College of Business and Industry
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Health Education and Human Sciences