ONE in five university students are left poorer by studying for a degree, alarming new statistics reveal.
A whopping 70,000 Brits a year end up forking out more for their degree than they rake back in higher earnings, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said.
Creative arts and social care are the worst degrees to study for wages.
While those who have studied economics or medicine end up with the biggest salaries.
The figures will fuel concerns too many Brits are stumping up £9,000 a year for degrees that aren’t worth the time and cost.
But overall, most uni students do rake in higher earnings than Brits who don’t study a degree.
Women on average earn an extra £100,000 over their lives after tuition fees and loan repayments are deducted.
While men get an extra £130,000 a year.
Blokes who study medicine, or economics on average earn more than £250,000 extra, the figures show.
While the Treasury also rakes in more because graduates cough up more in tax.
Universities minister Michelle Donelan warned vice chancellors they must prove their degrees are worth it.
She said: “This research underlines that our university sector is world leading by setting out the impact higher education can have on someone’s life.
“However, that prestige is built on quality and my role is to work with the regulator to safeguard that, while ensuring students and the taxpayer are getting the value they would expect for their investment.”
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