Unveiling the Stars of Singapore's 2025 Graduate Employment Survey
In the latest Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES) 2025, conducted across NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, and SUSS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has emerged as a leader with its Double Degree in Business and Computer Engineering/Computing achieving the highest starting salaries among all programs. This four-year rigorous program, offered jointly by NTU's Nanyang Business School (NBS) and College of Computing and Data Science (CCDS), blends core business acumen with cutting-edge computing skills, preparing graduates for high-demand roles at the intersection of technology and commerce. The survey, polling nearly 20,000 fresh graduates six months post-graduation in November 2025, reveals a cautious job market where full-time permanent employment dipped to 74.4% overall, yet salaries held steady at a median of S$4,500.
NTU's Class of 2025 demonstrated resilience, with nine in ten graduates securing jobs within six months, bucking the national trend amid economic uncertainties. This success underscores Singapore's emphasis on hybrid skills in a digital economy driven by artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, and data analytics.
Deep Dive into NTU's Flagship Business-Computing Double Degree
The Double Degree in Business and Computer Engineering/Computing—often referred to as the Business-Computing double degree—is designed for ambitious students seeking dual qualifications: a Bachelor of Business from NBS and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Computing from CCDS. Admission is highly competitive, requiring strong A-Level or polytechnic GPA scores, with students maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.0 in Year 1 to continue. The curriculum spans foundational courses in accounting, marketing, finance, and management, paired with programming, algorithms, software engineering, machine learning, and systems design.
Students engage in real-world projects, internships, and capstone challenges, often partnering with industry giants. This interdisciplinary approach fosters problem-solvers who can bridge business strategy with technical implementation, a rare and valued combination in Singapore's tech-savvy workforce. For instance, graduates might develop AI-driven trading algorithms for banks or optimize e-commerce platforms using big data.
Impressive Salary Figures: Leading the Pack
Full-time permanent graduates from this program commanded a mean gross monthly salary of S$6,993 and a median of S$6,950, topping all courses surveyed. To contextualize, the 75th percentile reaches S$8,000, meaning a quarter earn even higher. This dwarfs the NTU overall mean of S$4,812 (up 2.4% from 2024's S$4,701) and national median of S$4,500.
| Course | Mean Gross Salary | Median Gross Salary |
|---|---|---|
| NTU Business & Computing DD | S$6,993 | S$6,950 |
| NTU Medicine | S$6,551 | S$6,500 |
| NTU Computer Science | S$5,852 | S$5,500 |
| NTU Data Science & AI | S$5,408 | S$5,250 |
| NTU Accountancy & Business | S$5,385 | S$4,680 |
These figures exclude bonuses, which can add 2-3 months' salary in tech-finance roles. For comparison, arts programs like NTU's Art, Design and Media lag at around S$3,500 median.
Strong Employment Outcomes Amid Market Caution
Despite a tighter labor market, 88.9% of Business-Computing graduates secured employment, with 83.3% in full-time permanent roles—above NTU's 90% overall rate. Nationally, Information and Digital Technologies graduates (including this program) led with a S$5,500 median, reflecting Singapore's push for digital transformation under the Smart Nation initiative.
- High demand in fintech, consulting, and tech services.
- Low unemployment (under 2% for cohort).
- Overseas opportunities in global firms.
NTU's Career & Attachment Office (CAO) provides one-year post-grad support, including coaching and job matching, boosting outcomes.
Key Industries and Employers Hiring NTU Tech-Business Talent
Graduates flock to sectors like financial services (30%), information & communications (25%), and professional services (20%). Top employers include global banks like DBS, UOB, and OCBC; tech leaders Google, Meta, ByteDance; and consultancies like McKinsey, BCG, and Accenture. For example, alumni have landed roles as data analysts at Shopee or product managers at Grab.NTU Official Report
This aligns with Singapore's economy, where fintech contributes 10% to GDP, demanding hybrid professionals.
Why NTU Business-Computing Graduates Command Premium Pay
The program's edge lies in its balanced curriculum: 40% business (strategy, entrepreneurship), 40% computing (AI, cybersecurity), 20% electives/internships. Hands-on learning via labs, hackathons, and industry projects builds portfolios that impress recruiters. Singapore's context—home to 4,000+ fintech firms and Asia's tech hub—amplifies demand.
Prof. Gan Chee Lip, NTU Vice Provost, notes: "Our interdisciplinary model equips students with transferable skills for diverse industries." Double degrees offer a S$1,000-2,000 salary premium over singles.
Benchmarking Against Peers: NUS, SMU, and Beyond
NTU's top spot edges NUS BBA (S$6,962 mean) and NUS Computing (S$6,674). SMU Computer Science follows at S$6,135. Across unis, computing-business hybrids dominate top 10.Explore university salary comparisons SIT and SUSS lag slightly but excel in applied tech.
| Rank | Program | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NTU Business-Computing DD | S$6,993 |
| 2 | NUS BBA | S$6,962 |
| 3 | NUS BSc Computing | S$6,674 |
Evolution from 2024: Steady Amid Challenges
NTU salaries rose modestly (mean +2.4%), while national full-time employment fell from 79.4% to 74.4%. Tech programs held firm due to AI boom and SkillsFuture upskilling. Pre-2025, computing medians hovered at S$5,500; hybrids surged with fintech growth.
Essential Skills Fueling This Demand
Employers seek proficiency in Python, SQL, cloud computing (AWS/Azure), plus business analytics and agile methodologies. Soft skills like communication and ethics are crucial for roles like tech consultants. NTU integrates these via overseas exchanges and certifications.Craft your academic CV for tech-business roles
- Technical: Machine learning, blockchain.
- Business: Financial modeling, digital marketing.
- Hybrid: Product management, AI ethics.
Guidance for Future Students and Career Switchers
Aspiring applicants: Aim for top JAE/poly scores; prepare via coding bootcamps. Current students: Secure internships early. For career advice, check higher-ed career advice or rate professors at NTU. Explore higher-ed jobs or university jobs for faculty roles.
Photo by Aditya Enggar Perdana on Unsplash
Looking Ahead: Bright Prospects in Singapore's Digital Future
With Singapore targeting 100,000 digital jobs by 2028, Business-Computing grads are poised for growth into C-suite roles. Continuous learning via SkillsFuture will sustain premiums. NTU's innovations like AI labs ensure relevance.
In summary, this program's triumph highlights the power of interdisciplinary education. For jobs, visit higher-ed-jobs, rate-my-professor, and higher-ed-career-advice.