Half of UK graduates earn below the average salary
A report shows half of UK graduates earn less than the average salary five years after finishing their studies. Is the same happening in Spain?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Half of graduates earn less than the average salary five years on
Is it worth spending four years and going into debt for a university degree? A report published on 8 June 2026 by journalist Eleanor Harding reveals that half of UK graduates earn less than the national average salary five years after finishing their studies. That's more than 150,000 graduates a year who fail to reach the pay of a full-time worker. Although the data is British, it resonates across Western Europe: university no longer guarantees an economic return.
The Spanish case: degrees with dubious returns
In Spain, the debate is even harsher. While degrees like Food Engineering or Agricultural Chemistry have high employability, others such as Nutrition and Dietetics are saturated. The paradox is that fields directly tied to food production —farming and livestock— rank at the bottom of the salary scale, below Philology or Philosophy. An agronomic engineer trained in canned foods and food audits insists his speciality has excellent job prospects, but admits you need to "keep your head on straight" to choose wisely.
The way out: civil service exams or emigrating
Faced with this wage flattening, many see civil service exams (oposiciones) or emigration as the only way out. One telling case: an aerospace engineer who moved to Germany has seen her salary rise to €74,000 a year before even completing her six-month probation period, while in Spain she was offered €55,000. The net difference, however, is reduced by German taxation. Others point out that to sit the A1 category civil service exams, a university degree remains essential, even if you can opt for an easier one.
The dilemma: investment or bubble?
Some argue that university is overrated and that, with overcrowding and immigration, wages are being compressed towards the minimum wage. On the other side, it is argued that those who complement their degree with a master's and master foreign languages still have an edge. The reality is that, five years after graduating, half of degree holders have not recouped the effort. As one analysis puts it, "the problem is the initial phase, and some degrees never pay off".
So if your child dreams of Philosophy, they'd better prepare for a life of rich reflections... and a rather thin wallet.
Related forum debates
Is it worth spending four years and going into debt for a university degree? A report published on 8 June 2026 by journalist Eleanor Harding reveals that half of UK graduates earn less than the national average salary five years after finishing their studies. That's more than 150,000 graduates a year who fail to reach the pay of a full-time worker. Although the data is British, it resonates across Western Europe: university no longer guarantees an economic return.
The Spanish case: degrees with dubious returns
In Spain, the debate is even harsher. While degrees like Food Engineering or Agricultural Chemistry have high employability, others such as Nutrition and Dietetics are saturated. The paradox is that fields directly tied to food production —farming and livestock— rank at the bottom of the salary scale, below Philology or Philosophy. An agronomic engineer trained in canned foods and food audits insists his speciality has excellent job prospects, but admits you need to "keep your head on straight" to choose wisely.
The way out: civil service exams or emigrating
Faced with this wage flattening, many see civil service exams (oposiciones) or emigration as the only way out. One telling case: an aerospace engineer who moved to Germany has seen her salary rise to €74,000 a year before even completing her six-month probation period, while in Spain she was offered €55,000. The net difference, however, is reduced by German taxation. Others point out that to sit the A1 category civil service exams, a university degree remains essential, even if you can opt for an easier one.
The dilemma: investment or bubble?
Some argue that university is overrated and that, with overcrowding and immigration, wages are being compressed towards the minimum wage. On the other side, it is argued that those who complement their degree with a master's and master foreign languages still have an edge. The reality is that, five years after graduating, half of degree holders have not recouped the effort. As one analysis puts it, "the problem is the initial phase, and some degrees never pay off".
So if your child dreams of Philosophy, they'd better prepare for a life of rich reflections... and a rather thin wallet.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (60 replies).
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