Up to a quarter of students in England are doing degrees that will not give them sufficient earnings to justify the cost of their loans, a think tank says.
The centre-right group urges ministers to cut places on those courses offering little financial return and increase those in post-18 technical education.
Its study also says tax breaks of up to 50p in every pound owed should be offered to graduates repaying loans.
The government is carrying out a review of post-18 education and funding.
The Onward report acknowledges that “education has a value in its own right” and that “earning a living is not the only reason people study” but says too many young people “are being sold a false promise”.
“Too many are facing hefty repayments for degrees that won’t help them financially and too few are being offered quality technical and apprenticeship options instead,” it says. Read more.