Fresh graduates from private education institutions in Singapore are navigating a challenging transition into the professional world, as the job market tightens for fresh grads from private institutions. According to the latest data from SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), fewer than half of these graduates secured full-time employment in 2025, highlighting a persistent gap in immediate permanent placement compared to their counterparts in the public sector.
The Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey, released on April 8, reveals that 46.9 per cent of fresh graduates found full-time work. Even as this represents a marginal increase from the 46.4 per cent recorded in 2024, the figure underscores a difficult environment for those entering the workforce via private degree pathways.
Despite the struggle to secure permanent roles, the financial floor has remained stable. The median gross monthly salary for those who did land full-time positions held steady at $3,500, matching the 2024 figure. This suggests that while the number of available seats is limited, the value assigned to those who are hired has not diminished.
The survey focused on a cohort that graduated between May 2024 and April 2025, drawing responses from approximately 3,800 of the 6,150 graduates from full-time bachelor’s degree programs across 26 private institutions, including the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) and PSB Academy.
Comparing the Graduate Landscape
The disparity in employment outcomes becomes evident when comparing private institutions with autonomous universities and polytechnics. For the six autonomous universities, including the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, 74.4 per cent of graduates secured full-time permanent roles within six months of graduating, with a significantly higher median starting salary of $4,500.
Post-national service polytechnic graduates also saw higher full-time placement rates than their private degree counterparts, with 66.2 per cent securing permanent employment and a median monthly salary of $3,137.
To provide a clearer picture of the current graduate landscape, the following table compares the 2025 outcomes across the three main educational pathways:
| Institution Type | Full-Time Employment Rate | Median Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous Universities | 74.4% | $4,500 |
| Polytechnics (Post-NS) | 66.2% | $3,137 |
| Private Institutions | 46.9% | $3,500 |
Sector-Specific Strengths and Institutional Leaders
Not all disciplines are facing the same headwinds. Health sciences emerged as the most resilient sector within private education, with 76.5 per cent of graduates securing full-time permanent roles. This sector also commanded the highest median gross monthly salary at $3,935.
Other high-performing areas included the sciences, where 57.5 per cent found full-time work, and engineering, at 49.4 per cent. Notably, graduates in information and digital technologies and engineering shared the second-highest median salary of $3,900.
At the institutional level, James Cook University (JCU) led the sector in pay, with graduates earning a median of $3,700. The Management Development Institute of Singapore followed with a median of $3,580.
Professor Carole-Anne Upton, deputy vice-chancellor of JCU’s Singapore campus, attributed these results to a focus on professional accreditations and industry-relevant programming. She noted that the university prepares students for a global workforce by equipping them with adaptability and cross-cultural competencies.
The Rise of Non-Traditional Employment
As permanent roles remain elusive for many, a significant portion of the 2025 cohort is turning to alternative work arrangements. About 24 per cent of graduates found part-time or temporary work, a figure consistent with the previous year. There is also a growing trend toward the gig economy, with freelance work rising to 5.1 per cent, up from 4.2 per cent in 2024.
78.9 per cent of the 2,600 surveyed graduates who were either working or searching for jobs managed to secure some form of employment within six months of graduation. However, 21.1 per cent had not secured any employment, while a small fraction—0.6 per cent—were taking active steps to launch their own businesses.
The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), which reported a 47 per cent full-time employment rate and a $3,565 median salary, has leaned into “AI-ready” pedagogy and proprietary job-matching tools to help students navigate a volatile geopolitical and economic climate.
A Shift in How Success is Measured
We see important to note a significant change in how these figures are calculated. For the first time, the survey results reflect whether graduates have secured employment, rather than a simple employed-unemployed split. So graduates who have accepted an offer but have not yet started their role, or those starting a business, are now counted as having secured employment.
In previous years, these individuals were categorized as unemployed. This alignment with the methodology used for polytechnic and autonomous university surveys provides a more accurate reflection of the job market’s actual absorption rate, though it does not erase the gap in permanent full-time placements.
Ms Angela Tan, director-general (private education) at SSG, stated: “The employment outcomes for private education institution graduates have remained steady, reflecting their adaptability and readiness for the workforce in today’s swift-changing job market.”
Looking ahead, SSG has indicated it will continue to collaborate with educational partners to provide enhanced skills and career guidance to bridge the gap between graduation and full-time employment. The next major set of employment data will likely emerge following the next annual survey cycle, which will track whether the shift toward AI-integrated curricula continues to impact placement rates.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advisory services.
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