How much do Irish graduates earn?
There's no denying that going to college costs money. A lot money, especially if you don't have a grant or you're paying rent because you're living out of home. And at the risk of sounding patronising, if you are struggling with third-level education, hang in there 'cos it will all be worth it in the end.
Wondering whether you would have been better off finding full-time employment after the Leaving Cert and giving college a swerve altogether? Apparently, those who do are missing out big time.
According to the Sunday Independent, Jan 28, research shows that an Irish male graduate earns on average €330,000 more over their lifetime than a male who finishes his education with the Leaving Cert or equivalent.
The publication goes on to say, "The personal financial benefits of a degree to an Irish male are among the highest in the world, the figures suggest."
Unsurprisingly, given the pay gap between men and women in some job sectors, the overall earnings of a female graduate is notably lower. Overall, women will earn €250,000 more in her lifetime from having a degree, compared to those who don't.
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And there's other significant benefits to having third-level education. According to the publication, international research shows that those with higher education also enjoy improved health, tend to be happier, live longer and are less likely to be unemployed than those with lower levels of education.
It's also noted that not everybody with a degree if going to walk into a well-paid job. Arts and humanities graduates find it particularly difficult to secure employment and can start off earning less than €13,000 a year.
The Sunday Independent also published the school leagues table, an analysis of 9 years of results from over 700 schools nationwide.
H/T: the Sunday Independent
