STEM Degree Earnings Premium Calculator
See exactly how much more you could earn with a STEM degree
Your Estimated Salary
Your mate with a Computer Science degree earned £30,998 in their first role.
Your creative arts graduate friend? £17,900.
That’s £13,098 less per year. Over 10 years? £130,980 gone. But nobody told you this before you picked your A-levels.
Behind the Numbers
This calculator pulls from official UK government data and trusted research bodies. Here’s what feeds these numbers.
The salary figures come from the Department for Education’s Graduate Outcomes Statistics and the Institute for Fiscal Studies research using the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset. This tracks actual tax records and student loan data for UK graduates—not surveys or estimates.
Entry-level salaries reflect median earnings 15 months after graduation. The 5-year and 10-year projections use cohort data from graduates tracked through their 20s and 30s. Location adjustments apply multipliers based on Office for National Statistics regional earnings data.
Two things this doesn’t account for: your personal drive and career choices. A motivated humanities graduate can absolutely out-earn an average STEM graduate. These are averages across thousands of people. Your mileage will differ based on your degree class, university reputation, work experience, and whether you land in high-paying sectors like finance or consulting.
The premium percentages show how much more STEM graduates earn compared to non-graduates with similar backgrounds. When we say “19% premium,” that means after controlling for family income, prior grades, and region, STEM degrees still boost earnings by nearly one-fifth.
Why This Gap Exists
The UK economy pays a premium for technical skills. Software developers, data analysts, and engineers are in short supply. The digital sector alone makes up 10% of UK GDP, and demand keeps rising.
Medicine and dentistry graduates top the charts at £43,900 within 15 months. Electrical engineers follow at £36,115. Meanwhile, creative arts graduates average £17,900—less than half. That’s not a judgment on creativity’s value. It’s supply meeting demand in a market that desperately needs people who can code, build infrastructure, and design algorithms.
Graduate earnings have stagnated for many. In 2024, young graduates earned £1.43 for every pound earned by minimum-wage workers. The graduate premium is shrinking—but it still exists, and it varies wildly by subject. A 2023 government report found that after controlling for background and prior attainment, attending university still boosts earnings by 19% for men and 24% for women. But that average hides the real story: STEM subjects and economics drive most of that gain.
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds disproportionately choose lower-earning subjects and less selective universities. This isn’t about ability—research shows pupils with identical A-level grades make different university and subject choices based on family income. The cycle continues: lower earnings, less mobility, fewer role models in high-paying fields.
Real People, Real Numbers
James, 23, Manchester
Background: Graduated with a Computer Science degree from University of Manchester
Reality: James paid £27,750 in tuition fees. His loans accumulate interest at 7.6%. But his salary jumped £12,000 in year two after switching to a fintech startup. He’ll clear his debt by 35 if he stays on track.
Amara, 25, Birmingham
Background: Fine Arts graduate from Birmingham City University
Reality: Amara loves her work as a gallery assistant but supplements income with freelance design. She’s never earned above the £25,000 student loan repayment threshold, so her debt just grows. She’s considering a UX design bootcamp to pivot into tech.
Priya, 27, London
Background: Engineering graduate from Imperial College, now in civil engineering
Reality: London living costs eat 40% of Priya’s salary. She shares a flat in Zone 3. But she’s saved £30,000 for a deposit—something her psychology graduate sister can’t dream of yet. The premium bought her options.
The Salary Breakdown
| Degree Subject | Entry Median (15 months) | 5-Year Median | 10-Year Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine & Dentistry | £43,900 | £55,000+ | £68,800 (women) / £84,700 (men) |
| Electrical Engineering | £36,115 | £48,000 | £58,400 |
| Economics | £36,000 | £46,500 | £42,000 (median varies widely) |
| Mathematics | £31,450 | £50,000 | £26,800 (median, wide range) |
| Computer Science | £30,998 | £52,000 | £26,800 (varies significantly) |
| Engineering & Technology | £30,370 | £45,000 | £31,200 |
| Physical Sciences | £28,781 | £42,000 | £29,800 |
| Social Sciences | £28,000 | £38,000 | £26,200 |
| Biological Sciences | £24,917 | £38,000 | £25,200 |
| History & Philosophy | £23,981 | £40,000 | £26,500 |
| Media & Journalism | £23,975 | £35,000 | £19,300 |
| Creative Arts | £17,900 | £28,000 | £17,900 (men) / £14,500 (women) |
These figures come from HESA Graduate Outcomes Data, IFS research, and Department for Education statistics. The 10-year figures show median earnings for the 1999 cohort tracked to 2012-13. Creative arts shows the starkest gender gap, with women earning £3,400 less than men at the median level a decade out.
FAQs
Do STEM graduates always earn more than humanities graduates?
Not always, but usually. The median STEM graduate at 15 months earns £30,000-£36,000 compared to £18,000-£24,000 for most humanities subjects. Economics and law graduates can match or exceed STEM salaries. Individual outcomes vary wildly—a top-performing history graduate at Oxbridge can out-earn a mediocre engineering graduate from a less selective university. But on average, STEM creates a higher earnings floor.
How much is the STEM premium worth over a lifetime?
IFS research estimates the average graduate earns £100,000 more (women) to £130,000 more (men) over a lifetime compared to non-graduates. STEM subjects drive most of this gain. An engineering graduate earning £8,000 more per year than a humanities peer accumulates £320,000 extra over a 40-year career before accounting for career progression differences.
Does university reputation matter as much as subject choice?
Both matter, but subject choice often matters more for earnings. A STEM degree from a mid-tier university typically yields better salary outcomes than a humanities degree from a top university. However, graduates from Russell Group universities earn 10-20% more on average than those from less selective institutions when comparing the same subjects. The combination of STEM subject at a selective university produces the highest returns.
Are these salaries before or after student loan repayments?
These are gross salaries before deductions. Student loan repayments start at £25,000 per year and take 9% of everything earned above that threshold. A STEM graduate earning £35,000 pays £900 annually toward loans. A humanities graduate earning £22,000 pays nothing—but their loan grows with interest. The STEM premium helps clear debt faster despite higher repayments.
Do women see the same STEM premium as men?
Women actually see a larger overall graduate premium—24% earnings boost versus 19% for men—but this varies by subject. In STEM fields, women often earn less than men in the same roles. Female engineering graduates earn a median £23,200 at age 30 compared to £31,200 for men. However, female STEM graduates still significantly out-earn female humanities graduates. The premium exists but the gender pay gap persists within it.
What if I want a career in a creative field?
Then chase it. These numbers measure financial returns, not life satisfaction or societal value. Creative arts graduates report high job satisfaction despite lower pay. If you’re going in knowing the salary reality and have a financial plan—family support, part-time income, or acceptance of a modest lifestyle—then make the informed choice. Just don’t pick it assuming the money will magically appear later.
Can I boost my humanities degree earnings?
Absolutely. Target high-paying sectors like finance, consulting, or tech companies that hire for transferable skills. Economics, philosophy, and mathematics graduates often break into banking and strategy roles. Build technical skills—learn SQL, Python, or data analysis. Network aggressively. Attend a top university if possible. History graduates from Oxford earn a median £26,500 compared to £19,000 from less selective institutions. The premium is about maximizing every advantage.
Is the graduate premium shrinking?
Yes, but unevenly. In 2024, the average graduate earned only £1.43 for every £1 earned by minimum-wage workers, down from higher ratios in previous decades. However, STEM graduates and those from selective universities have maintained their premiums. The decline hits humanities graduates from less selective universities hardest. The graduate premium isn’t disappearing—it’s concentrating in specific subjects and institutions.