Graduate salaries by ethnicity

Equality data is often more complex than some make out. On average BAME people earn slightly less than white people (with some ethnic groups earning more and some less), however proportionally more BAME students go to university and can expect to start on higher salaries on graduation than white students. This of course may change over the course of a career.

In the UK, people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups make up just 16% of the population. However, BAME students represent 22.6% of the population in further education, meaning that proportionally more BAME students than white students attend university. 

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency shows that BAME students can expect to earn higher salaries than white students upon graduation. The chart above shows that a higher proportion of BAME students start on salaries of £27,000 and greater.

On the wider UK level, BAME people have slightly lower incomes than white people. It is therefore interesting to consider how these starting salaries may change over time and career progression.