Subject, not cost of fees, determines salary premium, study finds

Research by Ian Walker, professor of economics at Lancaster University Management School, suggests that although wage growth is stronger for graduates than for non-graduates, there are significant differences related to subject studied, result obtained and the sex of the degree holder.

For example, male graduates who achieve at least a 2:1 degree in law, economics or management can expect a return on their investment of almost 30 per cent, but a man with a science degree of a similar level may see only a 7 per cent return.

Women, meanwhile, do well in all subjects, with an “internal rate of return (IRR)” close to 17 per cent, according Professor Walker’s report in Research in Public Policy.

The IRR is calculated by projecting lifetime earnings excluding tuition fees, tax and other costs while taking on board loans and grants that are on offer, and then estimating the rate of return that would yield an equivalent sum.

“The overwhelming conclusion is that higher fees would not have made much difference – the dominant determinant of the returns to your investment is the subject you study and how hard you study it,” Professor Walker said.

According to the research, the returns gap between graduates and non-graduates is large for most men, except for those who study arts, humanities and social sciences other than economics.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com