New research by the Careers Service Unit has demonstrated how much graduates earn compared to non-graduates.

Britain's twenty-somethings in possession of a degree or equivalent, earn nearly forty per cent (39.8 per cent) more than their age peers who have no formal degree or equivalent qualifications.

This substantial earnings differential increases with age and by the time graduates are aged 31-40, they can expect to earn 63.1 per cent more than their non graduate peers, and by age 41-50, are a staggering 71.4 per cent ahead.

These figures, presented in the latest Graduate Market Trends report from CSU, the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, show that young graduates aged 21-30 have average earnings of £22,302 pa compared to £15,948 for non graduates in the same age bracket, a difference of £6,354 per annum. By age 31-40, graduates earn £12,953 pa more (£33,472 compared to £20,519), and by the time they reach 41-50, they earn on average £14,558 pa more (£34,958 compared to £20,400).