Degree Value Calculator

The calculator uses net lifetime return, the total financial gain after tuition fees and taxes, to measure the value of a degree. It helps us understand how much more a person with a degree might earn over their lifetime compared to someone without one. We calculate this by comparing the extra income someone with a degree earns (after paying tuition fees and taxes) to the income of someone without a degree.

The data for the Lifetime Return Calculator comes from the ONS 'Undergraduate Degrees: Lifetime Labour Market Returns' analysis. We combine the Net Lifetime Returns by Degree Subject (women/men) with the Net Lifetime Returns by HEI Type (women/men) to get a better estimation of the lifetime return for different degrees and university types.

The calculator works by using the following formula:

Lifetime Return = Subject-Specific Lifetime Return + (University Type Lifetime Return - Average Subject Return)     

(Average Subject Return for women is £103.72k, for men £112.24k)

Find the original data source HERE.