With so many degree courses currently on offer, prospective university students are overwhelmed with choice. Over 500,000 UK university students are expected to graduate this year alone, with most competing for the best jobs. However, which degrees give you the best chance of getting the highest salary?
We analysed the CVs of around 120,000 jobseekers who used ValueMyCV between 2019 and 2023. Using text mining and machine learning technology, our data nerds tracked students’ career pathways to reveal the jobs they are working in 5 years after graduation. We cross referenced this with our live jobs market data on advertised salaries to provide an average ‘market value’ for different degree courses five years post-graduation. Here’s our run-down of the top 10 most valuable degrees based on what graduates of these subjects can expect to be earning, five years into their careers.
1. Business Analytics
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £51,265
The graduates earning the highest salaries after five years are business analytics graduates. Students with these degrees earn over £51,000 on average five years after finishing uni. With the UK average salary being £37,530 in March 2023, this is a really impressive salary!
The most common job for business analytics graduates is unsurprisingly business analyst. However, as the degree focuses on using data to help organisations make better decisions, it has many applications in the working world. Some grads with this degree go into finance or logistics, while other popular routes include product managers and consultants.
Check out roles for business analysts here.
2. Electronics & Communication Engineering
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £49,255
Number 2 follows a similar pattern to business analytics. Electronics & communication engineering graduates earn £49,255 on average five years after the end of their degree.
As communications technology gets ever more complex, engineers with knowledge of this specialism are in hot demand. The most common roles for graduates include communication engineers, network planning engineers, service engineers, R&D software engineers, and more. Others go into defence, satellite communication, or robotics. The course has a reputation for being tough, but outcomes are lucrative.
Explore electronics engineer vacancies.
3. Computer Science
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £47,243
You may not be surprised to hear that computer science is high on the list of most valuable degrees. Graduates from the course earn just over £47,000 on average five years after uni.
Some of the UK’s most prestigious institutions offer the course, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London, and unsurprisingly it’s highly competitive. Most graduates enter the tech sector and may go into roles in big data, AI and machine learning, or software development, but others choose pathways such as manufacturing, or banking & finance.
View all available computer engineer roles.
4. Petroleum Engineering
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £45,647
If you’re engineering obsessed, great news! Another engineering degree has snuck into the top 5. With grads earning £45,647 on average five years after uni, petroleum engineering is one of the most valuable degrees.
Graduates with petroleum engineering degrees generally go on to work in the oil & gas industry. Roles range from drilling engineers, to petroleum geologists and reservoir engineers. Many jobs are based overseas, or off-shore.
Why not check out petroleum engineer vacancies?
5. Industrial Engineering
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £44,841
Industrial engineering is next on the list of most valuable degrees. Graduates with these degrees can expect to earn just shy of £45,000 five years into their careers.
Unsurprisingly, graduates tend to enter a career in engineering. Roles including engineer and project engineer tend to be popular among graduates in the field, as well as jobs focusing on improving efficiencies within factories or other industrial settings. Project manager roles also tend to be popular. Following graduation, engineers tend to specialise. This leads to an increase in salaries for those choosing to get chartered.
Explore engineering roles.
6. Project Management
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £44,267
A degree commonly in project management is the sixth most valuable. Project management graduates typically go on to earn £44,267 five years after graduation.
Some examples of the careers that graduates pursue are analyst, operations manager, and project manager. Project management graduates are a natural fit for these roles due to the skills in report writing, data presentation, and problem-solving skills gained through the degree.
Want to become an analyst? Check out roles here.
7. Information Technology
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £44,193
Another tech degree is featured in the top ten most valuable degrees. Information technology graduates earn £44,193 on average five years after uni.
Some specialisms that graduates enter include cyber security, data analytics, game development, web design, technical support or IT consultancy. An eye for detail, and strong problem solving skills, are a must.
IT roles can be found here.
8. Entrepreneurship
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £44,087
Entrepreneurship graduates earn just over £44,000 on average five years post graduation, making it the eighth-most valuable degree.
The degree is designed to equip grads with the skills they need to launch and run a business. Leavers commonly choose to launch their own ventures, or join a consultancy and use their skills and knowledge to advise other businesses.
View all consultancy vacancies.
9. Software Engineering
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £42,946
The average salary for software engineering graduates five years after uni is £42,946. This makes it the ninth most valuable degree. Unsurprisingly, a popular route for graduates is taking a job as a software engineer. Due to high demand for talent, salaries for these roles are high, topping £60,000 in March 2023.
Explore vacancies for software engineers.
10. Automotive Engineering
Average salary, 5 years after graduation: £42,024
You read it right, taking the final spot on our list for most valuable degrees is another engineering discipline, this time automotive engineering. Graduates with this degree earn £42,024 on average five years after uni.
If you’re a petrol head, this could be the degree for you! Grads focus on improving the technology within cars and other vehicles, and typically go on to work for manufacturers like Rolls Royce.
Automotive vacancies can be found here.
The least valuable degrees
Looking at the most valuable degrees is really useful, but have you ever wondered what the least valuable degrees are? Photography students tend to earn the lowest salaries, with average salaries for graduates coming in at just £24,242 five years after graduation.
Other subjects which feature in the least valuable degrees include translation, criminology, fine art, public administration, and music.
| University course | Average salary, 5 years after graduation |
|---|---|
| Business Analytics | £51,265 |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | £49,255 |
| Computer Engineering | £47,243 |
| Petroleum Engineering | £45,647 |
| Industrial Engineering | £44,841 |
| Project Management | £44,267 |
| Information Technology | £44,193 |
| Entrepreneurship | £44,087 |
| Information Systems | £43,992 |
| Software Engineering | £42,946 |
| Automotive Engineering | £42,024 |
| Data Science | £41,736 |
| Finance | £40,711 |
| Statistics | £40,417 |
| Electrical Engineering | £38,957 |
| Computer Science | £38,032 |
| Geology | £36,797 |
| International Management | £36,729 |
| Mechanical Engineering | £35,925 |
| Cyber Security | £35,922 |
| Physics | £35,705 |
| Chemical Engineering | £35,131 |
| Anthropology | £35,108 |
| Artificial Intelligence | £35,092 |
| Construction Management | £34,865 |
| Advertising | £34,803 |
| Aerospace Engineering | £34,722 |
| International Business | £34,515 |
| Education | £34,330 |
| Commerce | £34,158 |
| Economics | £34,125 |
| Biotechnology | £34,048 |
| Civil Engineering | £33,578 |
| Quantity Surveying | £33,477 |
| Management | £33,193 |
| Pharmacy | £33,008 |
| Banking & Finance | £32,677 |
| Microbiology | £31,525 |
| Marketing | £31,443 |
| Chemistry | £31,384 |
| Business | £31,216 |
| Pharmacology | £31,024 |
| Mathematics | £30,995 |
| Politics | £30,880 |
| Digital Marketing | £30,870 |
| Communication | £30,681 |
| Law | £30,256 |
| Structural Engineering | £30,235 |
| Accounting & Finance | £30,115 |
| Human Resources Management | £30,083 |
| Design | £29,922 |
| Environmental Engineering | £29,726 |
| History | £29,626 |
| Geography | £29,461 |
| Biochemistry | £28,947 |
| Biology | £28,772 |
| International Relations | £28,761 |
| Graphic Design | £28,427 |
| English | £28,380 |
| Social Work | £28,218 |
| Journalism | £28,018 |
| Media | £28,005 |
| Nursing | £27,849 |
| Interior Design | £27,731 |
| Philosophy | £27,660 |
| Public Health | £27,599 |
| Biomedical Science | £27,435 |
| Sociology | £27,391 |
| Legal Practice | £27,345 |
| Hospitality Management | £27,314 |
| Psychology | £27,002 |
| Architecture | £26,693 |
| Events Management | £26,598 |
| Tourism Management | £26,555 |
| Fashion | £26,253 |
| English Literature | £26,171 |
| Film | £25,769 |
| Music | £25,667 |
| Public Administration | £25,640 |
| Fine Art | £25,014 |
| Criminology | £24,636 |
| Translation | £24,580 |
| Photography | £24,242 |
It’s definitely interesting to explore how much a degree subject can affect earnings post-graduation. Although degrees generally bring graduates plenty of skills, the difference in earning potential is huge! Before applying to any degree, it’s worth noting that some careers require certain degrees. Be sure to check this before spending £9,250 per year on a degree, especially if you have a dream career in mind!
Read more: The 10 most sexist cities with the biggest gender pay gaps
Looking for a graduate role? Check out our website for all of the latest vacancies. Take a look at our ValueMyCV tool to see your market value.