Study finds degrees still 'worthwhile investment'

Most employed university leavers are in graduate-level jobs four years after graduation, a research study into the early careers of graduates revealed today.

The Class of '99 study, led jointly by Professor Peter Elias at the University of Warwick's Institute of Employment Research and Professor Kate Purcell at the Employment Studies Research Unit at Bristol Business School, followed 8,600 graduates from course completion to four years after leaving university.

Professor Peter Elias said: "There has been considerable interest in our finding that the earnings of these graduates have not grown as rapidly as those of previous graduates. However, it remains the case that most graduates will earn significantly more over their lifetimes than non-graduates. A degree remains a worthwhile investment."

Professor Kate Purcell said: "This research should give prospective students encouragement. Nearly all the students we spoke to had good things to say about the value of their higher education. However, our analysis also shows that there remains a significant gender gap in pay - 5% of the average difference between male and female earnings remains unaccounted for by any other factor than gender. More than a quarter of a century after the introduction of equal opportunities legislation, we find that graduate women's skills and knowledge are still more likely than men's to be undervalued and under-utilised."

Job outcomes, earnings, debt, training and further learning have been investigated, as well as general satisfaction with the higher education experience.

It also explored issues such as the impact of debt on the career choices made by graduates and whether studying for a degree still represented a good investment.

Key findings four years after graduation were:

• nearly 85% of employed leavers were in graduate-level jobs;
• two-thirds of graduates were in jobs relating to their long-term career plans;
• only 2-3% of graduates were unemployed;

The study also reported that employers were continuing to value graduates' skills and continue to pay well for them with graduates earning on average over £23,800, four years after completing their courses.

The recent growth in numbers entering higher education was reflected in the report which assessed whether the labour market had absorbed the extra graduates. It found that the market for graduates remained strong, with 85% of employed graduates in graduate-level jobs four years after leaving university.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said: "This research provides compelling evidence that graduates are benefiting from the skills, knowledge and experiences that they have obtained through higher education. What is more, graduates continue to earn a substantial return from their degrees".

There was some tentative evidence of a narrowing in the pay gap between graduates and non-graduates, a finding consistent with the view that the increase in graduates is easing high levels skills shortages in some areas.

The overwhelming majority of graduates were "satisfied" with their decision to go into higher education.

(SP/KMcA)