These UK Degrees Pay Back Their Cost in Under 10 Years

   

The study ranked university degrees by the time required for study to pay for itself using 2023-24 DfE/LEO data for 33 UK subject fields. It calculates missed income with a £26,200 non-graduate baseline salary through standard course lengths. After each graduation year, the data measures progress by subtracting the non-graduate income from the graduate's salary, and deducting loans. The payback year shows the point where accumulated earnings offset the deficit.

Here's a list of 10 degrees that provide the fastest payback in the UK: 

Field of Study	Years Until the Degree Pays for Itself	Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduating	In Work or Further Study 10 Years After Graduating
Economics	5.6	£71.4K	83.5%
Medicine and dentistry	5.7	£64.8K	88.8%
Engineering	6.4	£53.1K	86.3%
Mathematical sciences	6.7	£53.8K	86.1%
Physics and astronomy	6.7	£54.2K	85.6%
Architecture, building and planning	7.6	£48.7K	85.6%
Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy	7.8	£43.6K	87.9%
Computing	7.8	£46.8K	84.4%
Medical sciences	8.2	£45.8K	90.4%
Nursing and midwifery	8.4	£38.4K	91.2%

You can access the complete research findings here.

Economics leads the list of degrees with the shortest payback, with 5.6 years for cumulative earnings to offset lost study income. The field beats contenders in post-graduation revenue, with median earnings reaching £71.4K ten years after graduating. 83.5% of graduates remain in work or further study a decade post-graduation, and this rate displays the lowest percentage among the leading five. Quick financial recovery pairs with top-line salary.

Medicine and dentistry rank second, capping a 5.7-year payback period to recover initial study expenses. Extended course length constitutes a larger earnings deficit at first, making the fast recovery noticeable. Median earnings hit £64.8K ten years after study. The field excels for long-term career stability, recording 88.8% of graduates in work or further education. 

Engineering comes third with a break-even point at 6.4 years. This figure marks a three-quarters-of-a-year extra compared to the top two degree subjects. Median earnings sit at £53.1K ten years following graduation. 86.3% of alumni stay active in the labour market or higher education a decade later. 

Mathematical sciences secure fourth spot, demanding 6.7 years for graduates to make up for education costs. Ten-year median earnings score £53.8K, topping engineering by around £700. Higher salary does not automatically provide faster payback timelines for this one. 86.1% of students stay employed or enrolled in further study ten years out. 

Physics and astronomy claims fifth place, registering an identical recovery duration at 6.7. Median earnings ten years after reach £54.2K, listing the highest salary outside the top two. Up to 85.6% stay engaged in employment or additional degree studies a decade later. The subject benefits from a shorter study duration than those down the list.  

An expert from Edumentors commented on the study: 

“The figures show that choosing a degree is not only about financial benefit. Students should understand how well a subject fits their strengths, interests and long-term goals as well as its possible monetary return. Personalised guidance can help students make that decision once they have a clearer awareness of the available options”.