GeraLearn / Degree salary comparison
Economics vs Politics: Graduate Salary Compared
Five years after graduating, UK Economics graduates earn more — a median £50,400 vs £35,400 for Politics. That is £15,000 more (42%). Real DfE LEO figures, 2022-23 tax year.
Quick answer
Economics pays more than Politics: a 5-year median of £50,400 versus £35,400 — a £15,000 (42%) gap. Source: DfE LEO, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes).
Earnings compared, side by side
Median gross annual earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates, 2022-23 tax year.
| Measure | Economics | Politics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year after graduation | £29,600 | £25,600 |
| Lower quartile (5yr) | £36,100 | £27,400 |
| Median (5yr) | £50,400 | £35,400 |
| Upper quartile (5yr) | £67,500 | £48,900 |
| Rank (of 34 subjects) | #2 | #12 |
| Graduates in cohort | 5,480 | 5,190 |
Ranks are by 5-year median earnings across all 34 DfE CAH level-1 subject groups.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Economics or Politics pay more after graduation?
- Economics pays more. Five years after graduation, UK graduates of Economics earn a median £50,400 versus £35,400 for Politics — a difference of £15,000 (42% more). Source: DfE LEO, 2022-23 tax year.
- What do Economics graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- Economics graduates earn a median £29,600 one year after graduation and a median £50,400 five years after — with most earning between £36,100 and £67,500 (lower–upper quartile). That is £19,000 (61%) above the all-subject median of £31,400.
- What do Politics graduates earn one and five years after graduating?
- Politics graduates earn a median £25,600 one year after graduation and a median £35,400 five years after — with most earning between £27,400 and £48,900 (lower–upper quartile). That is £4,000 (13%) above the all-subject median of £31,400.
- Where do these graduate-salary figures come from?
- From the Department for Education's LEO (Longitudinal Education Outcomes) release, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes). They are median gross annual earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates in sustained employment, measured in the 2022-23 tax year, published under the Open Government Licence. These are medians — half of graduates earned less and half more; subject choice does not guarantee any individual salary.
Related comparisons
Data: DfE LEO Graduate Outcomes, 2022-23 UK tax year (DfE LEO graduate outcomes). Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are medians for graduates in sustained employment and do not guarantee individual earnings. A Gera Systems product.