SMU Class of 2025 Achieves Highest Graduate Employment Rate and Salary Growth Amid Job Market Uncertainty

In a job market marked by caution and economic headwinds, graduates from Singapore Management University (SMU)'s Class of 2025 have demonstrated remarkable resilience. The latest Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES) 2025 reveals that 91.4 percent of these fresh graduates secured employment within six months of completing their final exams, the highest rate among Singapore's six public universities. This achievement stands out especially as overall full-time permanent employment across all institutions dipped to 74.4 percent from 79.4 percent the previous year.

The survey, conducted in November 2025 by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the autonomous universities—National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), SMU, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)—captured responses from 73.4 percent of SMU's 2,331 graduates, totaling 1,710 respondents. This robust participation underscores the reliability of the findings, painting a picture of sustained demand for SMU talent despite global uncertainties like geopolitical tensions and AI-driven disruptions.

Breakdown of Employment Metrics: Outperforming Peers

SMU's secured employment rate of 91.4 percent—encompassing accepted job offers and entrepreneurial ventures—surpassed the university average and highlighted its edge in preparing market-ready professionals. Of those in the labor force, 87.1 percent were overall employed, including full-time, part-time, temporary, or freelance roles. Notably, 79.8 percent landed full-time permanent positions, defined as at least 35 hours per week with contracts of one year or more, again leading the pack.

Compared to national trends, where secured employment fell to 83.9 percent across course clusters, SMU's results buck the trend. For instance, while business clusters saw full-time permanent rates drop to 77.8 percent university-wide, SMU's business management graduates achieved 75.9 percent in such roles. This resilience is attributed to the university's emphasis on practical skills amid a hiring slowdown influenced by reduced job vacancies post-pandemic and a preference for experienced hires.

• Secured employment: 91.4% (top among unis)
• Overall employment: 87.1%
• Full-time permanent: 79.8% (top among unis)
• Pre-graduation offers: 61.4% of full-time hires (up 1.3% YoY)

Salary Growth: Mean and Median Surges Signal Strong Value

Financial rewards matched the employment success, with the mean gross monthly salary for full-time permanent SMU graduates climbing to S$5,116, a 1.2 percent increase from S$5,057 in 2024. The median rose more impressively to S$4,747 from S$4,600, reflecting broad-based gains even in a steady national median of S$4,500. These figures exclude employer Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions and bonuses, focusing on base and fixed allowances.

Percentile data further illustrates the distribution: the 25th percentile stood at around S$4,000-S$5,000 across programs, while the 75th reached S$5,000-S$7,083, indicating competitive entry points with upside potential. Nationally, while salaries held firm, sectors like information and digital technologies maintained S$5,500 medians, aligning with SMU's strengths.MOE Joint GES Report

Standout Programmes: Computing Leads the Way

SMU's computing disciplines dominated both employment and pay. Computer Science graduates boasted a 88.3 percent employment rate and S$6,000 median gross salary, rising to 91.4 percent and S$6,250 for Cum Laude and above holders. Information Systems followed closely at 94.3 percent employment and S$5,400 median, with perfect 100 percent for top honors recipients earning S$5,785.

Business-oriented degrees like Accountancy (97 percent secured employment, S$4,350 median) and Business Management (88.9 percent, S$4,600) also shone, particularly for high achievers. Even Social Sciences achieved 91.5 percent employment, underscoring broad appeal. Cum Laude graduates across the board earned S$300-S$500 more monthly and higher employment rates, highlighting the premium on academic excellence.

• Computer Science (Cum Laude+): S$6,250 median, 91.4% employment
• Information Systems: S$5,400 median, 94.3% employment
• Accountancy: 97% secured employment

These outcomes reflect surging demand for tech-savvy talent in Singapore's digital economy. For aspiring students, explore higher-ed jobs in computing via platforms like AcademicJobs.com.

The Power of Internships: Bridging Academia and Industry

A cornerstone of SMU's success is its mandatory internship program. Nearly 47 percent of full-time permanent hires stemmed from penultimate-year internships, with 30.9 percent transitioning directly and 16.4 percent receiving but declining offers. Examples abound: an Accountancy student at Grant Thornton Singapore credited real workloads and questioning culture for their full-time role, while a Business Management grad moved from SMU-X at Angsana Molecular to strategic contributions.

SMU's experiential model, including SMU-X co-curriculars and Work Study Electives, fosters adaptability, cross-cultural fluency, and social responsibility—skills prized in uncertain times. This approach not only boosts employability but also prepares graduates for AI-augmented workplaces. As Prof. Alan Chan, SMU Provost, notes, "Our learning model proves its strength... We will further enhance experiential and interactive learning."

Demanding Industries and Top Employers

Finance and Insurance led hiring, followed by Legal, Accounting & Auditing, and Information & Communication—mirroring Singapore's role as a financial and tech hub. Employers like Visa offered global leadership roles post-multiple internships, while diagnostics firms valued SMU-X experience. These sectors value SMU's blend of technical prowess and soft skills.

For career seekers, Singapore higher-ed opportunities abound in these fields. Check tips for academic CVs to stand out.

Navigating National Trends and Challenges

While SMU excelled, Singapore's broader landscape showed caution: part-time/temporary roles rose to 7.2 percent, unfilled applications hit 8.5 percent, and sectors like communications slowed due to AI and capex cuts. OCBC's Selena Ling called the full-time drop "not insignificant," citing cyclical caution and structural shifts.

Yet, salary stability signals employer confidence in quality talent. SMU's outperformance validates its model amid these headwinds.

Strategies for Future Success: Lessons from Class of 2025

Graduates like Kylie Oh (Social Sciences) praised SMU's dynamic environment for critical thinking. Key takeaways: leverage internships early, build AI fluency alongside human skills, and pursue global exposure. SMU plans more such opportunities via its Career Centre's 24/7 portal.

• Prioritize experiential learning
• Develop adaptability and tech skills
• Network via industry partnerships

Prospective students can rate professors at Rate My Professor for informed choices.

Implications for Singapore's Higher Education Landscape

SMU's results affirm the value of innovative pedagogy in autonomous universities. As Singapore pushes for a future-ready workforce, such outcomes inspire reforms. For parents and students, they highlight SMU's ROI in a competitive market. Explore university jobs or faculty positions to join this ecosystem.

Photo by Dave Kim on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Preparing for Evolving Markets

Looking ahead, SMU commits to intensifying human-centered competencies amid AI and uncertainty. With sustained demand in tech and finance, Class of 2026 and beyond can build on this foundation. Actionable advice: upskill via higher-ed career advice, intern strategically, and stay adaptable. In summary, SMU Class of 2025 exemplifies triumph over uncertainty—find your higher-ed job, rate your professors, and advance your career today.