A Degree : Worth Just £150k
New research shows graduates earn £150k more over their careers, much less than previous estimates
2nd June 2005
A study by the University of Swansea has estimated that a graduate would earn just £150,000 more over their careers than if they hadn't completed a degree. On a 35 year career, this works out at under £4,300 a year.
That's still worth earning, of course, but figures recently quoted by the government to justify university top-up fees estimated the difference at £400,000 or nearly £11,5k a year. A spokeswoman for the government, however, said that the two figures were calculated in different ways, so a direct comparison was misleading.
The fall in the lifetime value of a degree is put down in part to the large increase of graduates in the job market.
Read More: Guardian Unlimited
Home - General Finance - Student Finance
