New analysis reveals graduates in every region earn at least a third more

Universities UK’s (UUK) new analysis of government LEO (Longitudinal Education Outcomes) data demonstrates those who chose to attend university earn significantly more than those who didn’t – irrespective of the region they are from.

This data provides a new perspective on opportunities for graduates in the North West and for students considering study at LJMU.

The UUK analysis found that:

By age 31 graduates from the North West earn 36% more than non-graduates from the same region
This money benefits graduates’ wider communities, and the country as a whole - based on recent analysis, graduate skills are estimated to have had an economic impact of £95 billion nationwide in 2021/22 – and £2.08 billion in the North West
There is also a clear trend across the country that those regions with more graduates are more productive, driving economic growth
The industries of the future, those that the government has set out as driving growth over the next decade, are heavily dependent on graduate skills including the creative sector (76%), professional and business services (74%) and life sciences sector (73%)

This analysis shows that a degree allows graduates from all regions to earn more. These graduates are driving growth for the country and will be the backbone of those areas the government has set out as delivering growth and opportunity to local economies.

At LJMU we are dedicated to delivering a positive university experience for our students, providing them with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to enhance their graduate employability outcomes.

It’s encouraging to see that this new analysis highlights the economic impact of higher education, not just on the individual graduate, but also on the region in which they study and work. LJMU is by far the biggest supplier of new graduate talent to the Liverpool City Region every year and we’re incredibly proud of the impact that our LJMU graduates have.

Professor Phil Vickerman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience at LJMU

LJMU’s Student Employability and Graduate Outcomes Plan commits to embedding the development of employability skills in all programmes and ensuring that all undergraduate students engage in work-based learning.

The university’s careers and employability team, Student Futures, organises a diverse range of services and opportunities in and beyond the curriculum, including 1:1 careers advice and guidance, start-up and self employment support, funded Discovery Internships and paid work opportunities through Unitemps – an award winning on-campus recruitment agency.

Those of us who work in universities witness the transformative power of higher education every day, and it is compelling to see this borne out so strongly in this analysis. But this data shows something new – universities are anchors for growth right across the UK.

As well as contributing to their local area through the money they spend while studying, graduates go on to meet the needs of local industries and to earn more. This new analysis gives a clear message to government, local and mayoral authorities that thriving universities in every part of the country are central to the prospects for individuals and communities.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, FRSE, President of Universities UK