technofatty Questions, awkwardly answered.

Questions, awkwardly answered.

This tool uses UK context. View US version →

Money · University ROI

University ROI Reality Check

For this subject at this institution tier, does a degree pay off? Returns your break-even timeline and the realistic income premium over a non-graduate peer.

Instant result Plain-English why Copyable takeaway
Money Under 1 minute Result card

University ROI

Enter your subject area, institution tier, expected loan amount, and graduate salary. Podge returns your break-even point and income premium over a non-graduate peer.

What this means

This tool compares the graduate income premium against the cost of the degree and the opportunity cost of three years of non-graduate earnings.

Formula used

Graduate premium = grad salary − non-grad peer salary. Break-even = (loan + 3-year opportunity cost) ÷ annual graduate premium.

Worked example

A nursing graduate borrowing £45,000, starting at £28,000 vs a non-grad peer at £22,000, has a £6,000 annual premium. Break-even: roughly 12 years, after which the degree pays positive returns.

Common questions

How is the graduate premium calculated?
It is the difference between the median graduate starting salary for your subject area and the median earnings of a non-graduate peer at the same career stage. Institution tier affects the starting figure.

What counts as break-even?
Break-even is when the cumulative graduate income premium equals the total cost of going to university — your loan plus the three years of non-graduate earnings you forfeited during study.

Does the tool account for loan repayment terms?
It uses a simplified model. Actual repayments depend on your entry year and government policy — the tool shows the economic premium, not the exact repayment schedule.

Plain-English summary

Enter your details to see your break-even timeline and lifetime return estimate.

This section translates the result into a short, direct takeaway rather than leaving the page at a bare number.

Disclaimer: Salary figures are approximations based on published graduate employment data. Loan repayment terms vary by year of entry and are subject to change by government policy.

After this verdict

Try Percentage Change Engine next

Work out the percentage increase or decrease between two values with a clear result and worked explanation.

Open the next verdict

Related instruments

Keep going

Percentage Change Engine

Work out the percentage increase or decrease between two values with a clear result and worked explanation.

Open verdict

VAT Engine

Add or remove VAT from a price with clear totals, tax breakdown, and net versus gross context.

Open verdict

Subscription Shame Index

Find out how much your subscriptions are quietly costing you in money and attention.

Open verdict