Here are the undergraduate programs that pay off (and some that don’t)

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A major new study tracking nearly one million students found that higher education still delivers strong financial returns for most people, but outcomes vary dramatically depending on the degree, major and institution

🔭 The context: The report, produced by the Postsecondary Commission with research support from Mathematica, analyzed students enrolled at 86 public colleges in Texas between 2008 and 2009 and tracked earnings over 15 years
• Engineering, architecture, business and economics delivered the strongest returns, while liberal arts, recreation and some social sciences ranked among the weakest financially

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The findings intensify global debates around education affordability, workforce development and the future of skills in an AI-driven economy
• They also reinforce the growing importance of aligning higher education with labor market realities, particularly in sectors tied to infrastructure, climate, technology and industrial transition

⏭️ What’s next: The study may influence future U.S. education policy as regulators consider cutting off federal student aid to programs with poor earnings outcomes
• Researchers also plan to expand the analysis to additional states and longer time horizons

💬 One quote: “There’s enormous variation.” — Stig Leschly, President of the Postsecondary Commission

📈 One stat: Only 4 out of 11 certificate program categories generated positive financial returns within five years.

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