A degree from a world-renowned university may open doors, but new research suggests many graduates step into careers with salaries that barely dent their education debts.
A global analysis by Edumentors reveals staggering mismatches between the costs of elite institutions and the earnings of their alumni, with some students paying twice as much as they’ll make in their first year on the job.
University College London (UCL) tops the list of the most overpriced schools, where students invest $71,913 in tuition and living expenses only to earn a median starting salary of $37,300—a return of just 52 cents per dollar spent. Oxford and Cambridge, despite guaranteeing 100% graduate employment, offer similarly bleak math: alumni earn roughly $37,000 annually after degrees costing over $70,000. In the U.S., Northwestern University charges $115,719 for a degree, nearly five times Qatar University’s $25,100 total cost, yet its graduates earn only 2.4 times more than their Qatari counterparts.
The study, which compared tuition, living costs, and starting salaries across 50 universities, highlights a growing tension between prestige and practicality. While U.S. and U.K. institutions dominate the “overpriced” rankings due to soaring fees, European schools like Switzerland’s ETH Zurich emerge as relative bargains. ETH students pay $27,000 total and land $64,000 starting salaries—a 2.4-to-1 return. Italy’s Politecnico di Milano stands out even more sharply, with degrees costing $16,900 against $19,350 median earnings, one of the few schools where salaries nearly offset costs.
Critics argue the analysis overlooks long-term career trajectories and non-monetary benefits. “Top universities provide networks and opportunities that pay dividends over decades,” said one higher education analyst, who requested anonymity to avoid institutional backlash. Yet with global student debt surpassing $1.7 trillion, researchers counter that families deserve transparency. “When a degree costs as much as a house, students should know if their paycheck will cover the mortgage,” the report states.
The findings arrive as Gen Z students increasingly prioritize affordability. While MIT and Stanford graduates command six-figure salaries, their $84,602 and $92,892 education costs still require years to break even. Meanwhile, schools like the National University of Singapore and University of Toronto deliver stronger immediate returns, with salaries exceeding 1.5 times degree expenses.
For policymakers, the report underscores urgent questions about tuition inflation and student debt reform. For families, it offers a sobering reminder: in the race for prestige, the finish line might be financial strain.
