A street interview on the National University of Singapore (NUS) campus went viral three years ago when undergraduates casually revealed their expected starting salaries upon graduation. Ranging from S$5,000 to a staggering S$10,000 per month, these figures left netizens reeling, sparking heated debates across social media platforms about the gap between ambition and reality in Singapore's competitive job market. The clip, captured by Hong Kong-based YouTuber Torres Pit, highlighted a bold confidence among NUS students, many of whom were pursuing high-demand fields like business administration, computer science, and philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE). But as Singapore's higher education landscape evolves, with recent Graduate Employment Survey (GES) data painting a more nuanced picture, it's time to revisit this phenomenon and examine how expectations stack up against actual outcomes for fresh graduates from NUS and peer institutions like Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU).

The Viral Moment: What NUS Students Actually Said

The video, which amassed millions of views on TikTok and YouTube, featured casual chats with NUS undergraduates. One first-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student double-majoring in economics didn't hesitate: 'S$10,000 per month.' She envisioned a role in investment banking or consulting, fields known for lucrative entry-level positions. Two second-year computer science majors pegged their hopes at S$5,000 to S$6,000, citing prior research into industry averages. Another in the interdisciplinary PPE programme aimed even higher at S$9,000, dreaming of careers in academia, banking, or law.

These weren't outliers; the students represented top performers admitted to NUS, Asia's highest-ranked university per QS World University Rankings. Their optimism stemmed from the institution's reputation for producing employable talent, bolstered by rigorous curricula and global exposure. Yet, the raw ambition—devoid of experience—struck a chord, amplifying discussions on whether Singapore's fresh graduates are setting the bar too high amid rising living costs and economic uncertainties.

Netizen Backlash: 'Unrealistic' or Justified Ambition?

Social media erupted with disbelief. On forums like HardwareZone and Reddit's r/singapore, users lambasted the S$10,000 figure as 'delusional,' pointing out that even top 2021 GES earners averaged S$6,578 monthly. Comments flooded in: 'Fresh grad with zero experience demanding banker pay?' and 'Reality check: median is S$4,500—good luck.' Critics argued such expectations could deter employers, favoring experienced foreign talent on Employment Pass visas.

Not everyone dismissed them outright. Defenders highlighted Singapore's sky-high costs—national housing prices up 5.5% in 2025 per Urban Redevelopment Authority data, with HDB resale flats averaging S$600,000. 'S$3,000-S$4,000 barely covers rent, CPF, and basics,' one user noted. Finance roles at bulge-bracket banks like Goldman Sachs do offer S$8,000-S$12,000 for analysts, but only to the top 1% with stellar internships and GPAs above 4.0. The debate underscored a generational shift: Gen Z NUS students, shaped by inflation and tech booms, view salaries through a lens of survival-plus-growth.

Grounding in Data: NUS GES 2025 Reveals the True Picture

Fast-forward to March 2026, when NUS released its Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES) 2025 results. Out of 7,567 fresh graduates surveyed, 89.8% entered the labour force, with 75.2% securing full-time permanent roles within six months—a resilient figure despite a cautious market influenced by global slowdowns and AI disruptions.

The median gross monthly salary for these full-time permanent NUS hires rose to S$4,746, up from S$4,600 in 2024. Mean salary climbed to S$5,193 from S$5,101. Dentistry and Architecture boasted 100% employment, while Business Administration hit 95% with a median of S$6,000. Computing fields shone brightest: Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) averaged S$6,674 mean. Across 20 programmes spanning Arts, Business, Computing, Dentistry, Design+Engineering, Nursing, and Science, salaries held steady or improved.

Compared to the viral clip's S$5,000-S$10,000 range, reality clusters around S$4,500-S$6,500 for most, with outliers in tech and finance pushing higher. NUS's Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) credits this to skills like adaptability and AI literacy, honed via internships—80% of grads completed at least one.

Benchmarking Peers: NTU, SMU, and Beyond

NUS isn't alone; the joint GES covers all autonomous universities. Overall, 92.2% of 19,887 grads were employed, but full-time permanent dipped to 74.4%. Median across unis held at S$4,500.

• NTU: Strong in double degrees like Business+Computer Engineering (mean S$6,993, top-ranked). Engineering median S$4,600.
• SMU: Business-focused, Computer Science mean S$6,135-S$6,513 for cum laude+. Overall competitive with NUS.
• SIT/SUTD/SUSS: Practical-oriented, Health Sciences median S$3,935-S$4,050; Engineering S$3,900.

Information & Digital Technologies leads with S$5,500 median, reflecting tech demand. NUS edges NTU in most non-computing fields by S$300-S$800, per analysts.

Photo by Chunjiang on Unsplash

Why the High Hopes? Cost of Living, Internships, and Influences

Singapore's cost-of-living index ranks among the world's highest—Numbeo 2026 pegs monthly expenses for a single professional at S$4,000 including rent. National Service (NS) delays male grads by two years, amplifying opportunity costs. Internships pay S$1,500-S$3,000 stipends, skewing perceptions upward.

Global exposure via NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) exposes students to Silicon Valley startups paying USD$100k+. Social media amplifies success stories: LinkedIn posts of S$7,000 offers from FAANG. Yet, Reddit threads reveal 'true median' closer to S$3,750-S$5,000 for general roles.

From the Employer Side: Offers vs Demands

Recruiters from DBS, Google Singapore, and KPMG note top NUS talent secures S$6,000+, but averages hover lower. A 2026 Randstad survey found 35% of grads reject offers below expectations, prolonging searches. Firms prioritize skills over pedigree: AI proficiency, data analytics command premiums.

Foreign talent competition intensifies; EP holders accept S$5,000 for mid-level roles grads shun.

Expert Guidance: Aligning Ambition with Achievability

NUS CFG advises benchmarking via GES data, networking on LinkedIn, and negotiating holistically—base + bonuses + growth. SMU career services emphasize internships: 90% of high-earners had multiple. Economists like NUS's Associate Professor Walter Theseira warn of 'expectation inflation' from survivorship bias.

NUS's JAUGES report stresses versatility amid AI shifts.

Hot Fields and Skills Boosting Pay

Computing (S$5,500+ median), Business Analytics (S$6,375 mean), Medicine lead. Demand surges for cybersecurity, fintech, sustainability. Certifications like Google Data Analytics add S$500-S$1,000.

• AI/ML specialists: S$6,000-S$8,000
• Investment analysts: S$7,000-S$10,000 (top 10%)
• General business: S$4,000-S$5,000

Looking Ahead: 2026 Job Market for Singapore Grads

With GDP growth at 2.5% forecast, tech and green sectors expand. Yet, automation risks 20% routine jobs. NUS invests in upskilling; expect medians to rise 3-5% if inflation cools. Grads holding out risk underemployment—part-time roles up 5%.

Photo by Chunjiang on Unsplash

Practical Steps for NUS Undergrads

1. Track GES annually via MOE site.

• Secure internships early—aim Big 4, MNCs.
• Build portfolio: GitHub for tech, case studies for business.
• Network: CFG events, alumni mentorship.
• Negotiate smart: Focus total comp (AWS, ESOP).
• Diversify: Consider startups for equity upside.

For university jobs or academia, explore AcademicJobs.com listings—lecturer roles start S$5,000+ with PhD.