Starting salaries of fresh graduates from NUS, NTU, SMU, SUSS & SUTD [Class of 2024]

Fresh graduates from the Singapore University of Technology and Design earned the highest median gross monthly salary in 2024 (S$4,900), followed by National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University (S$4,600 respectively).

In an increasingly competitive job market, fresh graduates are facing a bittersweet reality. While fewer are securing jobs within half a year of graduating, their starting pays are notably higher compared to previous years, as derived from the Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES) 2024.

Here’s a breakdown of what fresh graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), are earning as well as which courses are fetching the highest pay.

National University of Singapore (NUS)

About 88.1% of NUS fresh graduates in the labour force secured employment within six months of completing their final exams, a slight dip from 90.5% in 2023. Of those employed, 80.9% landed full-time permanent positions, while 4.1% were awaiting job commencement or starting businesses. Employment rates were particularly strong for graduates from programs like Accountancy and Dentistry, which achieved 100% employment. In terms of salaries, the mean gross monthly salary for fresh NUS graduates in full-time permanent employment rose to S$5,101 in 2024, up from S$4,875 in 2023, while the median salary increased to S$4,600 from S$4,400. Graduates from a variety of fields, including Arts, Social sciences, Business, and Law, saw either higher or consistent starting salaries compared to the previous year.

Highest-earning courses by median gross monthly salary:

• Bachelor of Laws (Faculty of Law): S$7,000
• Bachelor of Computing, Computer Science (School of Computing): S$6,500
• Bachelor of Computing, Information Security (School of Computing): S$6,110

Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

NTU continues to report strong employment outcomes, with about 90% of graduates securing jobs within six months of completing their final exams. The Class of 2024 saw an increase in starting salaries, with a mean gross monthly salary of S$4,701, up from S$4,511 in 2023, and a median salary of S$4,500, an increase from S$4,250.

Notably, graduates from programmes including Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine, Arts (with Education), and Science (with Education) achieved 100% employment. Other courses with high employment rates include Accountancy and Business (96.3%), Accountancy (96%), Double Degree in Business and Computer Engineering/Computing (94.3%), Maritime Studies (94.3%), and Interdisciplinary Double Major (93.6%).

Highest-earning courses by median gross monthly salary:

• Double Degree in Business and Computer Engineering/Computing (College of Business, Nanyang Business School): S$6,250
• Computer Engineering (College of Computing and Data Science): S$5,500
• Computer Science (College of Computing and Data Science): S$5,500

Singapore Management University (SMU)

SMU continues to report strong employment outcomes, with 89.8% of graduates securing jobs and 83.4% landing full-time permanent positions. SMU graduates are also earning higher salaries, with the average gross monthly salary rising to S$5,057, up 3.4% from last year.

The median salary increased from S$4,500 to S$4,600. In addition to these figures, 98% of graduates credited SMU for positively influencing their personal growth, with high percentages citing improvements in skills such as communication, critical thinking, and collaboration.

SMU graduates remain in high demand across industries such as Finance & Insurance, Legal, Accounting & Auditing, and Information & Communication, with more than 60% securing jobs before graduation.

Highest-earning courses by median gross monthly salary:

• Cum Laude and above (School of Computing & Information Systems): S$7,000
• Law (School of Law): S$7,000
• Cum Laude and above (School of Law): S$7,000

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

Graduates from SUSS’ Social Work and Early Childhood Education programmes saw healthy growth in full-time permanent employment rates, reaching 74.6% and 80.4% respectively. This reflects the ongoing demand for professionals in social services and early childhood education in Singapore, particularly with the Ministry of Social and Family Development's expansion plans for the early childhood sector.

Additionally, SUSS’s Business programmes, including Accountancy and Finance, reported strong results, with employment rates of 90.2% and 83.3% respectively.

SUSS graduates in full-time permanent employment also saw an increase in their salaries, with the mean gross monthly salary rising to S$4,251 and the median salary reaching S$4,000, compared to S$3,986 and S$3,700 respectively in 2023.

Highest-earning courses by median gross monthly salary:

• Bachelor of Public Safety and Security (School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences): S$4,916
• Bachelor of Science in Finance (School of Business): S$4,500
• Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics (School of Business): S$4,458

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

Within six months of completing their final exams, 87.4% of SUTD fresh graduates in the labour force secured employment, with around 35% receiving two or more job offers. This data, based on a survey of nearly 320 graduates from SUTD's 10^th batch, is said to highlight the strong job market for SUTD’s fresh graduates.

About 33% of graduates who secured full-time permanent roles received offers from the companies they interned with, showcasing the effectiveness of SUTD’s mandatory internship programme. Additionally, the median gross monthly salary for SUTD’s fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment rose to S$4,900 in 2024, up from S$4,800 in 2022.

Highest-earning courses by median gross monthly salary:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science and Design): S$5,000
• Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Systems and Design): S$4,730
• Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Product Development): S$4,550