Find out which university degrees could earn you most across your lifetime
Lifetime earnings from a degree now hinge on subject choice—not just the degree itself
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The brief
New research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) shows that university graduates in the UK earn **£100,000 more** over their lifetimes than peers without degrees, on average. However, coverage highlights a sharp divide: **one in four graduates** may still end up financially worse off than if they had not attended university, depending on their field of study.
While traditional high-earning fields remain dominant, the IFS warns that rising tuition fees and stagnant wage growth for some professions could erode the financial benefits of a degree. Watch for follow-up reports on **specific degree rankings** and regional wage disparities, as well as potential policy responses—such as loan reforms or targeted scholarships—to address the earnings gap.
Coverage may also explore how automation and labor market shifts could further alter the value of certain qualifications in the coming years.
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Quick answers
Do all graduates earn more than non-graduates?
No. According to the IFS, **one in four graduates** may still be financially worse off over their lifetime than peers without degrees, depending on their field of study.
Which degrees are most likely to yield high earnings?
Coverage suggests **medicine, engineering, and computer science** consistently rank among the highest-earning fields, though exact rankings have not yet been released.
Is this data specific to the UK?
Yes. The IFS research and associated reports focus exclusively on **UK graduates and lifetime earnings within the UK labor market**.
Coverage (5)
- IFS: university graduates £100k better off than peers without degrees Times Higher Education · 13h ago
- Revealed: the university degrees that will make you richer (or poorer) The Times · 13h ago
- One in four graduates will lose financially from going to university, IFS estimates The Guardian · 13h ago
- One in four graduates worse off after going to university The Telegraph · 13h ago
- Find out which university degrees could earn you most across your lifetime BBC · 13h ago
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