One in four graduates will lose financially from going to university, IFS estimates

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimates that one in four UK graduates will be financially worse off after attending university. This analysis, based on the earnings of individuals who graduated in 2008 during the global financial crisis, projects that while most graduates will see a lifetime pay increase of approximately £100,000 due to their degrees, around 25% might have achieved better financial outcomes by not pursuing higher education. The IFS specifically highlights that graduates with creative or performing arts degrees are particularly susceptible to this financial disadvantage. The research considers factors such as potential earnings, student loan repayments, and tax contributions when calculating the net financial impact of a university education.