Leaving university as an accountancy student and finding that first full-time job can be a difficult task in this economic climate, but the average graduate should remember they will earn ??100,000 more over their working life than a student whose highest qualification is two or more A-Levels.
The figure has been suggested in a report from Lord Browne, the head of the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance.
The news will come as a welcome reminder to students, after the Higher Education Careers Services Unit revealed the number of unemployed 2009 graduates is likely to reach 30,000, six months after graduation.
Chris Morrall, Talent Transitions director, explained that even those whose careers failed to earn them as much as their peers would still reap many benefits from being at university.
Mr Morall said graduates leave not only with their degree but also with skills, knowledge and maturity.
He said there were a multitude of various societies and clubs open to students, and added: "You don't just have the academia but you broaden people's experience - and that's the benefit of university."??
