University of Bolton graduates were earning less on average than those from other North West universities five years after graduation, new figures suggest. However, the President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton said "a university education should never be undertaken with the sole purpose of having a higher salary". Department for Education figures show first degree graduates from University of Bolton had a median annual salary of £23,400 in 2021-22, five years after leaving their course.
University of Bolton graduates who did courses in engineering were earning the most – £36,500 on average. At the opposite end of the spectrum were their peers graduating with a degree in creative arts and design, taking home around £19,500 a year. This was the joint-lowest average salary from all universities in the North West, which had average earnings of £27,900.
For most providers and subjects, graduate earnings have increased at or above the rate of inflation since 2015-16. Graduates from almost three quarters of universities had median earnings at least 13 per cent higher in 2021-22 than in 2015-16. The figures also show female graduates from the University of Bolton were earning a median salary of £21,900 five years into their career, while men were paid £25,600.
It meant men earned 15 per cent more than women. Professor George E Holmes DL Dsc, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said: “The persuasive power of statistics to bolster weak .