A degree from one of B.C.'s research universities can yield significantly higher earnings in the future.

A new report called "Putting Degrees to Work" reveals that 83 percent of graduates between 2008 and 2012 "found their university degree either useful or very useful to their job". And 92 percent "were satisfied or very satisfied with their education".

Perhaps of most interest to many students, the median annual salary for the Class of 2012 was $50,000 This exceeds the average income of $30,400 for young people between 15 and 24 years of age.

Graduates in the health sector earned an average of $66,560 per year and those with engineering and applied sciences degrees were paid, on average, $62,000.

Arts and sciences grads earned $42,000 per year, whereas those with education degrees were paid $46,000. Business and management grads collected $50,000.

The lowest-paid grads were those who studied visual and performing arts, earning $36,000 per year.

B.C.'s research universities are UBC, SFU, University of Victoria, University of Northern British Columbia, Royal Roads University, and Thompson Rivers University. The report relied on data from B.C. Stats.

"Two years after graduation, the majority of degree holders are working in their chosen profession, they are earning good wages and they are living in the communities where they were educated," the report states. "These findings even held true for graduates of the Class of 2008, who entered the workforce during the global economic meltdown."