Resilient NUS Graduates Secure High Starting Salaries Despite Tight 2025 Job Market

The Evolving Singapore Job Market in 2025

Singapore's job market in 2025 presented a mixed picture for fresh university graduates. While overall employment growth continued, with significant job additions in sectors like finance and technology during the third quarter, a cautious hiring stance prevailed amid economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. 46 68 Employers moderated vacancies from post-pandemic highs, preferring experienced hires or temporary roles over permanent entry-level positions. This shift contributed to a dip in full-time permanent employment rates across local autonomous universities, dropping to 74.4% from 79.4% in 2024, as per the Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES) 2025. 47 Despite this, median gross monthly salaries held steady at S$4,500, signaling sustained demand for skilled talent. 42

The survey, covering 19,887 fresh graduates from NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, and SUSS with a 72.4% response rate, highlighted increased labour force participation at 92.2%, up from 90.7% the prior year. However, 8.5% of graduates received no full-time offers after applying, up from 5.7%, reflecting heightened competition particularly for younger workers under 30. 46 Experts like OCBC Bank's chief economist Selena Ling noted this as a sign of cyclical caution, compounded by AI automating routine tasks and slower capital spending. 46

NUS Stands Out in the JAUGES 2025 Results

Amid the broader slowdown, National University of Singapore (NUS) graduates showcased remarkable resilience. The JAUGES 2025 revealed that 89.8% of NUS fresh graduates in the labour force secured employment within six months of final exams, surpassing the joint average of 88.9%. 43 Full-time permanent employment stood at 75.2%, with over 90% success rates in 18 degree programmes, including 100% for Dentistry and Architecture, 96.2% for Civil Engineering, and 95% for Business Administration. 45

NUS surveyed 7,567 fresh graduates in November 2025, achieving a 68.2% response rate. This performance underscores NUS's reputation for producing employable talent, even as outward-oriented sectors like information and communications subdued hiring. 48 Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, emphasized, “Our graduates continue to demonstrate exceptional resilience and secure strong career starts, even amidst today's cautious job market.” 43

Robust Starting Salaries for NUS Graduates

NUS fresh graduates in full-time permanent roles commanded a mean gross monthly salary of S$5,193 in 2025, up from S$5,101 in 2024, with the median rising to S$4,746 from S$4,600. 43 This upward trajectory spanned multiple faculties, with continuous median increases over three years in Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Design and Engineering, and Nursing. Computing and business programmes led the pack, reflecting demand for tech-savvy professionals.

These figures position NUS ahead of peers, with computing courses like Information Security at S$6,071 mean. 44 For context, joint median across unis remained S$4,500, with information technologies at S$5,500. 47 Crafting a strong academic CV can help graduates highlight such high-value skills.

Top-Performing NUS Programmes in Employment and Pay

Computing dominated NUS's top ranks, with Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) achieving 84.1% employment and S$6,674 mean salary. Business Analytics followed at 85.7% and S$6,375, while Medicine hit 100% employment at S$6,344 mean. 44 Engineering courses like Computer Engineering posted S$5,988 mean, reflecting tech sector resilience.

• Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems): 92.1% employment, ideal for digital transformation roles.
• Yale-NUS programmes: Strong outcomes at S$5,974 mean for sciences.
• Health-related: Near-perfect employment due to sector shortages.

These programmes align with Singapore's push for AI, data science, and healthcare, where demand outpaces supply despite market caution.Explore higher-ed jobs in Singapore.

Photo by Albert Vincent Wu on Unsplash

Key Factors Driving NUS Graduates' Success

NUS's holistic curriculum fosters adaptability, critical thinking, and future-ready skills essential in an AI-driven landscape. Graduates excel through interdisciplinary projects, internships, and global exposure, enabling them to navigate transformations in finance, healthcare, and public service. 45 The NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) plays a pivotal role, offering personalised coaching, workshops on resume building, mock interviews, and industry networking via NUS TalentConnect. 58

Prof Thean highlighted the importance of “incisive sense-making, critical judgement, and astute decision-making” alongside technical prowess. 43 This preparation equips alumni to secure competitive roles, even as employers prioritise versatile hires.

Real-World Stories of NUS Alumni Triumphs

Yong Wei Ning, a Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems) graduate, leveraged hands-on projects like developing a digital learning tool for the Dyslexia Association to land an AI-focused role at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Her ability to bridge technical and business needs exemplifies NUS training. 45

Candice Yeo (Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences) transitioned from a NalaGenetics internship to coordinating clinical research at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, applying data management and teamwork skills. Mohamed Irfan Farid (Bachelor of Business Administration) used BIZCareers guidance for a Management Associate position at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), thriving in rotations. 45

These cases illustrate how NUS experiential learning translates to real impact, boosting employability in diverse sectors.

Sector Insights and Employer Demand

NUS graduates gravitate towards high-growth areas: computing (tech giants, fintech), business (banking, consulting), and medicine (hospitals, research). While specific top employers aren't detailed in the survey, public sector roles at MAS and IRAS, alongside private firms, value NUS talent. 45 Information and digital technologies saw stable high salaries at S$5,500 median joint-wide, underscoring tech resilience. 47

Employers seek adaptable profiles amid AI shifts; NUS's emphasis on human-AI synergy meets this need. Browse higher education career opportunities aligned with these trends.

Navigating Challenges: Advice from Experts

Despite positives, 11.1% of joint graduates faced hurdles, with no offers after applications. Reasons include mismatched expectations, AI displacing entry roles, and prolonged searches. Graduates are advised to upskill in AI ethics, data analytics, and soft skills via platforms like SkillsFuture. 42

• Apply early and broadly, tailoring applications.
• Leverage internships and networks.
• Consider traineeships under government schemes.
• Use free resume templates for standout applications.

Government initiatives support over 400 graduates with traineeships, bridging to permanent roles.

Photo by Stephen H on Unsplash

NUS Career Support Ecosystem

The CFG offers Career Catalyst modules (CFG1002) for resume writing, personal branding, and pitching. Paired group coaching and alumni advisory extend support post-graduation. Email careers@nus.edu.sg for consultations. 67 These resources, combined with faculty career centres like BIZCareers, empower proactive planning.

Future Outlook for Singapore Graduates

Looking to 2026, experts anticipate gradual recovery with tech and green economy growth, but sustained caution. NUS's focus on AI integration and lifelong learning positions its graduates advantageously. Continuous upskilling will be key in this dynamic market.

For those eyeing NUS pathways, career advice on academic roles or rate professors can inform choices. Explore university jobs and higher-ed jobs today.