What to do with your degree · 6 min read
Which degrees are worth it?
Which degrees pay off, using official earnings and employment data, why the course and university matter as much as the subject, and how to decide.
The short answer
On average, degrees still pay off: US data shows bachelor's degree holders earn much more and face lower unemployment than people with only a high school diploma. But returns vary hugely by subject, institution and student. Degrees with the strongest earnings in UK and US data include medicine, dentistry, economics, maths, engineering, computer science, pharmacy and nursing. Some creative arts and humanities degrees have lower average earnings, though many graduates still do well and value them for other reasons. Before choosing, check official data for the specific course, such as LEO in England or the College Scorecard in the US, and weigh cost, interest and career plans.
Key takeaways
- Degrees pay off on average, but returns vary widely by subject and course.
- Medicine, economics, maths, engineering, computing and nursing show strong returns.
- Check course-level data: LEO in England, College Scorecard in the US.
- Interest and career fit matter: a degree you finish beats one you drop.
On this pageWhat the data shows
What the data shows
| Subject group | Typical earnings pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and dentistry | Very high | Long training, regulated |
| Economics | High | Strong across finance and policy |
| Maths and computer science | High | Demand in data and tech |
| Engineering | High | Strong employment |
| Nursing and pharmacy | Good, stable | Strong employment rates |
| Business and law | Varies widely | Depends on institution |
| Social sciences | Moderate | Depends on skills and sector |
| Humanities | Moderate to lower | Wide variation |
| Creative arts | Lower on average | Portfolio careers, self-employment |
How to check a specific course
- In England, use Discover Uni or LEO data for graduate earnings by course and university.
- In the US, use the College Scorecard for earnings and debt by programme.
- Look at employment rates and the kinds of jobs graduates get.
- Compare total cost, including living costs and loans.
- Talk to recent graduates of the course.
Beyond earnings
A degree also gives time to explore, a network, and access to graduate schemes and professions. It can matter for visas and some careers. Subjects with lower average earnings can still lead to good careers, especially when students build skills and experience alongside.
Underemployment
New York Fed data shows that a significant share of recent US graduates work in jobs that don't typically need a degree, with rates varying by major. Majors with clear career paths, such as nursing, engineering and computer science, tend to have lower underemployment than general humanities and social sciences.
What makes a degree worth it for you
- You're interested enough in the subject to finish and do well.
- It leads to careers you'd want, or keeps options open you value.
- The cost, including debt and lost earnings, makes sense for those careers.
- The specific course has good outcomes, not just the subject in general.
- You'll use the time to build experience, not just study.
Illustrative example: two friends choose between an expensive general business degree and a cheaper accounting degree apprenticeship. One takes the apprenticeship, qualifies with no debt and a salary. The other takes a history degree she loves at a university with strong outcomes, builds experience through internships and joins a civil service graduate scheme. Both choices worked because each fitted the person.
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Questions people ask
- Is going to university still worth it?
- For most people, yes, on average. Graduates earn more over a lifetime and have lower unemployment. The value depends on what you study, where, the cost and whether you finish. Apprenticeships and other routes can be better for some careers.
- Which degrees have the lowest returns?
- Official data shows lower average earnings for some creative arts, some humanities and some social care-related subjects. Averages hide wide variation, and many people choose these subjects for reasons beyond pay.
- Does the university matter?
- Often as much as the subject. Earnings data varies a lot between institutions for the same subject. Look at course-level outcomes, not just rankings.
- Should I choose a degree for money or interest?
- Ideally both. Interest helps you complete the degree and do well; earnings matter for debt and options. Look for subjects you enjoy that lead to growing fields.
- Are apprenticeships better than degrees?
- For some careers, yes: degree apprenticeships and trade apprenticeships offer pay and qualifications without debt. For regulated professions like medicine, a degree is required.
- How much more do graduates earn?
- In the US, BLS data shows bachelor's degree holders have substantially higher median weekly earnings and lower unemployment than people with only a high school diploma. In the UK, graduates also earn more on average. Averages hide big variation by subject and university.
- Is it worth doing a degree if I don't know what career I want?
- It can be, if you choose a subject you enjoy at a course with good outcomes, and use university to explore through placements, societies and part-time work. If cost is a big concern, a year working or an apprenticeship can help you choose first.
Exercises are practice, not evidence of career fit or a qualification. How to read our guides and report a correction.
Sources
- LEO graduate outcomes by provider and subject · Department for Education, GOV.UK
- College Scorecard · US Department of Education
- Education pays · US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career Outlook
- The labor market for recent college graduates · Federal Reserve Bank of New York
How this page is written
Sources support the factual background, not a guarantee that an exercise predicts career fit. Fictional practice material is labelled. Dates record content updates; no independent expert review is implied. More about OffLadder.