Is going to university worth it?
It depends on what you want to do, what you would study and what it will cost you. Official earnings data can inform the decision, but it cannot make it for you.
A useful way to decide is to answer three questions. Does the career you want need a degree? What have graduates in your subject typically earned and done? And what will the degree cost you in money and time, compared with realistic alternatives?
Money is not the only return. A degree can be the entry route to a profession, a chance to study something you care about, or time to explore before you choose a career. Only you can weigh those against the cost.
How much do UK graduates earn?
In the 2023–24 tax year, the median first-degree graduate of a GB higher education institution earned £26,400 one year after graduating, £30,000 after three years and £33,700 after five years (DfE LEO).
The three figures are for different graduating years: 2021/22, 2019/20 and 2017/18. So the rise is not one person’s pay growth; it compares different groups measured in the same tax year.
| Years after graduating | Graduating year | Median earnings | Middle half earned | In sustained employment, further study or both |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 2021/22 | £26,400 | £20,500 to £33,300 | 89.5% |
| 3 years | 2019/20 | £30,000 | £23,800 to £38,400 | 89.2% |
| 5 years | 2017/18 | £33,700 | £25,600 to £44,700 | 88.7% |
Do most UK graduates find work?
Most do. In the 2023–24 data, 89.5% of graduates were in sustained employment, further study or both one year after graduating, and 88.7% five years after (DfE LEO).
Sustained employment has a specific meaning: paid employment for at least one day in five of the six months from October to March in the tax year. It does not show whether the job is full-time, whether it needs a degree or whether it relates to the subject studied.
The rest are not all unemployed. They are simply not recorded in sustained employment or further study in the data.
Does the subject you study change whether university is worth it?
Yes, a lot. Five years after graduating, median earnings ranged from £22,000 for creative arts and design (non-specific) to £59,900 for dentistry, among detailed subjects with at least 100 graduates (DfE LEO, 2023–24).
Other examples: psychology graduates had a median of £22,700 one year after graduating and £29,600 after five; computer science graduates had £31,500 after one year; economics graduates had £51,200 after five.
A lower median does not make a subject a bad choice. LEO cannot tell full-time from part-time work, self-employed income is only included where reported, and people choose subjects for many reasons besides pay. It does mean you should plan how you will fund your studies and build experience.
| Subject group | Median earnings after 5 years | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Dentistry | £59,900 | Among the highest |
| Medicine (non-specific) | £56,400 | Among the highest |
| Engineering (non-specific) | £52,300 | Among the highest |
| Economics | £51,200 | Among the highest |
| Building | £49,000 | Among the highest |
| Statistics | £48,300 | Among the highest |
| Music | £25,600 | Among the lowest |
| Drama | £25,600 | Among the lowest |
| Dance | £24,500 | Among the lowest |
| Art | £23,800 | Among the lowest |
| Creative arts and design (non-specific) | £22,000 | Among the lowest |
What does the data not tell you about whether university is worth it?
It does not show what the same people would have earned without a degree, so it cannot measure the value a degree added. It also cannot predict your own outcome.
- No comparison with non-graduates: these LEO figures cover graduates only
- Not adjusted for entry grades, region or background, so subject gaps are not purely the effect of the degree
- Cannot tell full-time from part-time work
- Covers UK-domiciled graduates only
- Describes the past, measured in the 2023–24 tax year
- Small groups are suppressed, so some subjects have no figure
How much does university cost, and how do student loans work?
The main costs are tuition and living expenses for the length of your course. If you are eligible for student finance in England, loans can help with both, and repayments depend on what you earn, not what you owe (GOV.UK).
GOV.UK explains that you do not start repaying until you have left your course and earn over a certain amount, and that interest is charged from the day you take out the loan. Check the current loan amounts and repayment thresholds on GOV.UK before you decide, because the government sets them and they can change.
The cost is also time. A full-time degree usually means several years with limited earnings, which is part of what you weigh against the alternatives. International students pay fees set by each university and should check funding separately.
What are the alternatives to university?
The main alternatives are a degree apprenticeship, another type of apprenticeship, going straight into work, or a shorter course. Which is better depends on the job you want and how you like to learn.
GOV.UK describes apprentices in England as employees who earn a wage and get time for training, and says a degree apprenticeship is equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. You apply for a specific job, so you need a clearer idea of your career than you might for a full-time degree.
For careers with professional registration, such as medicine or nursing, check which routes lead to registration before you rule a degree in or out.
When is university more likely to be worth it for you?
University is more likely to pay off when you have a clear reason to go: a career that needs a degree, a subject you want to study in depth, or a plan to use the time to build skills and experience.
- The career you want needs a degree or an accredited course
- You have looked at your subject’s graduate outcomes and understand their limits
- You know the total cost and how you will fund it
- You have compared at least one alternative route
- The course includes placements, projects or other ways to build experience
- You are interested enough in the subject to study it for several years
How can you get more value from a degree?
Use your time at university to build evidence employers can see, such as work experience, projects and a clear CV. The degree is one part of your application, not all of it.
- Look for placements, a year in industry or internships
- Use the careers service from your first year
- Build a CV as you go, and tailor it to each application
- Research graduate schemes and entry-level roles early
Frequently asked questions
Do graduates earn more than non-graduates in the UK?
The LEO figures CourseToJob uses cover graduates only, so they do not compare graduates with people who did not go to university. They show that the median first-degree graduate earned £26,400 one year and £33,700 five years after graduating, in the 2023–24 tax year.
What percentage of graduates are in work five years after graduating?
In the 2023–24 tax year, 88.7% of first-degree graduates of GB higher education institutions were in sustained employment, further study or both five years after graduating (DfE LEO). The data does not show whether that work is full-time or needs a degree.
Is a creative arts degree worth it?
It can be, but go in with a plan. Five-year median earnings were among the lowest for creative arts and design (non-specific) at £22,000, art at £23,800 and dance at £24,500 (DfE LEO, 2023–24). LEO cannot tell full-time from part-time work and only includes self-employed income where reported, so think early about how you will build experience and income.
Is university worth it if I do not know what career I want?
It can be, if the subject interests you and you use the time to explore. Look for courses with placements or a wide choice of modules, use the careers service early, and compare the cost with alternatives such as working or an apprenticeship.
Do I have to repay my student loan if I earn a low salary?
GOV.UK explains that you only repay once you have left your course and earn over a certain amount, and that monthly repayments depend on your income, not what you owe. Check the current threshold for your repayment plan on GOV.UK.
Can CourseToJob tell me whether university is worth it for me?
No. CourseToJob is independent and explains official data, but it cannot predict your earnings or make the decision for you. Use the data alongside advice from your school, college or a careers adviser.