Not Nursing, Not Chinese Studies! The Most Regretted College Major in 2026: '56% of Students Wouldn't Choose It Again,' Top University Students Lament Low Pay, Overwork, and Constant Overtime

After the release of Taiwan's university subject exam results, hundreds of thousands of students have entered the application phase. 'Employment prospects after graduation and salary competitiveness' have become the top concerns for many students. Recently, an online post asking 'If you could relive your life, would you still choose accounting?' sparked widespread discussion. Many current and former accounting students admitted that, given the chance, they might not choose this path again.

According to a past survey by 104 Job Bank on major satisfaction, accounting ranked second on the 'regret list' for the question 'If you could relive your life, would you choose the same major?', with 56.2% of respondents saying they would not choose accounting again—second only to nursing.

Which college major leads to the most regret? Top university accounting students lament poverty and exhaustion

Recently, a user posted on Dcard: 'Are salaries in accounting or related industries generally low? For those who have worked at one of the Big Four for two years, if you could relive your life, would you still choose accounting?' The post quickly drew numerous responses.

Many accounting students frankly stated: 'If my child dares to choose accounting, I’ll break their hand so they can’t press the calculator'; 'Accounting salaries in Taiwan have never increased, and the audit environment ranks among the worst globally. It will only get harder for future accounting professionals. After four years, I just feel this major is pitiful—no easier than others, yet with lower pay'; 'It’s truly the most demanding major among liberal arts, and just as tough after entering society. Getting NT$50,000–60,000 in overtime pay is already considered high, and many teams cut overtime pay'; 'The cost-performance ratio is extremely low. Those who succeed in accounting would do even better in other fields. If I could relive my life, I’d choose science'; 'I gave up Taipei Medical University’s dentistry program for National Taiwan University’s accounting—still regret it today. My dad is a dentist, and I wanted to forge my own path, but I later realized money is what truly matters'; 'If I were principal, I’d abolish the department'; 'If I could relive my life, I’d choose engineering'; 'From personal experience, you can study accounting, but don’t work in it in Taiwan. Almost all accounting-related jobs start with low pay'; 'I deeply regret listening to my parents and choosing accounting. I should’ve picked finance'; 'Absolutely forbid, absolutely stop, absolutely break their legs.'

What is the salary range for accounting graduates? Entry-level positions mostly range from NT$36,000 to NT$50,000

According to the latest salary statistics from 104 Job Bank, the average monthly salary for university graduates working as accountants or analysts is around NT$42,000. Those with a master’s degree earn between NT$45,000 and NT$49,000.

For general accounting roles—including cashier, chief accountant, financial staff, and auditors—monthly salaries typically range from NT$36,000 to NT$54,000. Only after advancing to managerial roles such as accounting manager, audit manager, or CFO does salary have the potential to exceed NT$60,000, with some senior managers surpassing NT$100,000.

Overall, many small and medium-sized enterprises still offer starting salaries in the NT$30,000–40,000 range, leading many students to feel that, given the high learning costs and certification barriers required for accounting expertise, the salary吸引力 is not particularly strong.

If you could relive your life, would you choose accounting again? 104 survey: 56.2% say no

In addition to salary concerns, major satisfaction is an important reference for many high school students when applying to universities. 104 Job Bank previously surveyed whether respondents would choose their current major if they could relive their lives. The results showed that 56.2% of accounting majors said they would not choose it again—second only to nursing—revealing a significant gap between initial expectations and reality after experiencing coursework and the workplace.