The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) released data revealing that the field of study can dramatically affect a graduate’s lifetime earnings.
Graduates in medicine can earn up to £400,000 more, while those in economics also see strong returns. Conversely, degrees in creative arts, philosophy or languages can offer little or even negative financial benefit compared to a comparable non‑graduate.
Key insights:
- Average graduate lifetime earnings are about £100,000 higher than non‑graduates, even after taxes and student loan repayments.
- About a quarter of graduates are financially worse off over their lifetime.
- For men from low GCSE grades, some lower‑attainment graduates may still see a £53,000 lift, but around 40% of them are likely to be worse off.
The Department for Education (DfE) plans to cap enrolments in courses with the poorest returns and will introduce a consultation on minimum English requirements for student finance eligibility.
Industry voices reiterate that while some degrees do not promise significant financial upside, higher education remains "the most reliable route to upward mobility" for many, especially those from lower‑income backgrounds.
University leaders stress the value of non‑profit motives in fields like the arts, which feed creative industries that deliver economic growth and demand for understanding human behaviour in the age of AI.
For more detailed findings and how to estimate your own subject’s return, use the interactive tool embedded in the original article.
