Recent findings from the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey 2023/2024 reveal that graduates from Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health and ERC Institute boast the highest median monthly pay, hitting S$4,000. They are closely followed by graduates from the Singapore Institute of Management who earn an average of S$3,600, according to The Business Times.
When dissecting salaries by field of study, information and digital technologies emerge as the frontrunners with a median salary of S$4,080. In contrast, humanities and social sciences graduates are not far behind, averaging S$3,500. Sadly, data for engineering and arts graduates are unavailable due to small sample sizes.
The survey, conducted from November 2024 to March 2025, gathered insights from approximately 3,500 recent graduates of 27 private institutions, including reputable names like James Cook University, PSB Academy, and the Management Development Institute of Singapore.
Notably, of those surveyed, about 2,300 were actively engaged in the labor force. SkillsFuture Singapore, the body behind the survey, aims to foster lifelong learning and skills development across the nation.
For a broader context, fresh graduates from autonomous universities such as Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore launched their careers with a median monthly salary of S$4,500 in 2024. Meanwhile, post-national service polytechnic graduates began at S$3,000, as reported by an earlier joint survey highlighted by The Straits Times.
Despite a slight increase in median salaries, job prospects for fresh graduates from private institutions stiffened in 2024, reflecting the challenges of a decelerating economy and muted hiring demand, according to insights from Mothership. Only 46.4% managed to secure full-time roles, a drop from 58.7% in 2023. Part-time or temporary jobs rose to 24.2%, up from 18.9%, while the freelance segment shrank from 5.7% to 4.2%.
Among the various course clusters, engineering led the way in full-time employment, boasting a rate of 55.3%, followed by sciences at 51.8%. Conversely, graduates from autonomous universities enjoyed significantly higher full-time employment rates at 79.5% compared to 65.2% for their polytechnic peers.
Angela Tan, director general for private education at SkillsFuture Singapore, stated that this survey offers essential insights to help prospective students navigate their educational and career choices. She acknowledged the backdrop of global economic uncertainty but highlighted an array of resources and learning opportunities that SkillsFuture provides to empower Singaporeans in achieving their career goals.
“In today’s complex job environment, informed choices based on industry-relevant skills can make all the difference,” she said, adding a splash of hope amidst the uncertainty.
What was the median salary for graduates from Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health and ERC Institute?
Those graduates earned a median monthly salary of S$4,000, the highest among private institutions.
What percentage of graduates from private institutions secured full-time employment in 2024?
Only 46.4% of these graduates landed full-time roles, a notable decrease from the previous year’s 58.7%.
Why is the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey important?
The survey provides valuable insights that can guide prospective students in making informed decisions about their educational and career trajectories, particularly in light of current economic challenges.
