SINGAPORE – April 26, 2025: Employment prospects for fresh graduates from private education institutions (PEIs) in Singapore dipped significantly in 2024, with less than half securing full-time roles within six months of graduation. This comes even as median salaries saw a slight increase compared to the previous year.
According to the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey 2024, conducted by SkillsFuture Singapore, only 46.4% of fresh PEI graduates found full-time permanent jobs, a sharp drop from 58.7% in 2023.
Key Graduate Employment Statistics for 2024
| Category | 2023 | 2024 |
| Full-time employment (PEIs) | 58.7% | 46.4% |
| Part-time/Temporary work | 18.9% | 24.2% |
| Freelance work | 5.7% | 4.2% |
| Median monthly salary | $3,400 | $3,500 |
Out of the 2,300 PEI graduates in the labour force surveyed, 74.8% found some form of employment (permanent, freelance or part-time), down from 83.2% in 2023.
Which Private Institutions and Courses Performed Best?
Some institutions and study areas yielded stronger employment outcomes than others:
Top Institutions by Salary
- Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health – $4,000
- ERC Institute – $4,000
- Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) – $3,600
Top Fields by Salary
- Information & Digital Technologies – $4,080
- Humanities & Social Sciences – $3,500
Top Courses by Employment Rate
- Engineering – 55.3% in full-time jobs
- Sciences – 51.8% in full-time jobs
Salaries for engineering and arts graduates were not reported due to limited sample sizes.
Comparison With Autonomous Universities and Polytechnic Graduates
To provide context, here’s how autonomous university (AU) and post-national service (post-NS) polytechnic graduates fared in 2024:
Autonomous Universities (e.g., NUS, NTU):
- Full-time employment: 79.5%
- Median monthly salary: $4,500
Post-NS Polytechnic Graduates:
- Full-time employment: ~80%
- Median salary: $3,000 (up from $2,963 in 2023)
This stark contrast underscores the challenges faced by private university graduates in entering the job market.
Why Are Private University Grads Struggling?
The 2024 job market was impacted by slowing economic growth and reduced hiring demand, particularly in industries traditionally open to PEI graduates. Additionally, more PEI graduates are turning to part-time or temporary roles (24.2%) compared to 2023 (18.9%).
Another factor is the increased number of graduates entering the labour force, adding competition in a tight market.
Survey Methodology
The Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey 2024:
- Conducted between: November 2024 – March 2025
- Respondents: ~3,500 out of 9,600 graduates
- Focus: Full-time bachelor’s degree graduates from 27 private institutions
- Key schools: James Cook University, PSB Academy, MDIS, SIM, ERC Institute
FAQs: Private University Graduate Employment in Singapore 2024
did full-time employment for PEI grads drop in 2024?
Slower economic growth and reduced hiring demand contributed to a lower absorption of private university graduates into full-time roles.
Did salaries improve despite the drop in employment?
Yes, the median gross monthly salary rose slightly from $3,400 to $3,500.
Which private institutions had the highest graduate salaries?
Graduates from Parkway College and ERC Institute led with median monthly salaries of $4,000.
How do PEI grads compare to public university grads?
Only 46.4% of PEI grads secured full-time roles vs. 79.5% of public university grads, who also enjoyed higher starting salaries.
What fields had better outcomes for PEI graduates?
Engineering and Information & Digital Technologies led both in employment rates and salary levels among PEI graduates.
Final Thoughts: Navigating the Job Market as a Private Uni Grad
While the outlook may appear challenging for private university graduates in Singapore, there are still promising pathways in tech, engineering, and health sciences. Building relevant industry skills, gaining internships, and networking remain essential tools for improving employability.
Tip for Graduates: Consider upskilling via SkillsFuture-approved courses to stay competitive in evolving job markets.
