The latest numbers from SkillsFuture Singapore have cast a spotlight on the tightening job market for fresh graduates from private education institutions.

The Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey, released on 26 April, paints a sobering picture: less than half (46.4%) of these graduates landed full-time jobs in 2024, a notable slide from 58.7% the year before.

This decline comes as Singapore’s broader economy experiences a slowdown and hiring sentiment cools across several sectors. The drop in full-time job placements was accompanied by a rise in part-time and temporary roles, now accounting for 24.2% of employment among private school graduates – up from 18.9% in 2023. Freelance work saw a modest dip, down to 4.2% from 5.7%.

Overall, 74.8% of the 2,300 private institution graduates in the labour force – defined as those employed, or actively seeking and available for work – secured some form of employment (permanent, part-time, or freelance) within six months of graduation. That’s a step down from 83.2% in 2023, marking a concerning trend for private graduates trying to get a foot in the door.

Modest salary gains amid a competitive landscape

While full-time employment dipped, salaries saw a modest lift. Median gross monthly salaries rose slightly to SG$3,500 in 2024, from $3,400 the year before. Among the top earners were graduates from Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health and ERC Institute, both drawing a median salary of $4,000. Close behind were alumni from the Singapore Institute of Management, who earned $3,600.

Yet the gulf between private and public university graduates remains stark. According to a separate employment survey released on 24 February, fresh graduates from autonomous universities – including the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University – began their careers with a median monthly salary of $4,500. Moreover, 79.5% secured full-time permanent roles within six months, with just 6% in part-time or temporary jobs and a mere 1.6% freelancing.

Polytechnic graduates, post-national service, started at a median monthly pay of $3,000 – up slightly from $2,963 in 2023. Their employment outcomes also remained more favourable than those from private institutions, with only 7.2% either unemployed or in involuntary part-time work.

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Who’s thriving and who’s lagging behind?

Drilling deeper into the survey results, engineering graduates from private institutions led the pack in full-time employment at 55.3%, followed closely by science graduates at 51.8%.

On the earnings front, those with qualifications in information and digital technologies topped the list, commanding a median gross monthly salary of $4,080. Humanities and social sciences graduates followed at $3,500. However, salary figures for engineering and arts graduates were withheld due to insufficient sample sizes.

The findings come from a poll of around 3,500 fresh graduates – out of a total cohort of 9,600 – who completed full-time bachelor’s degree programmes between May 2023 and April 2024. The survey, which ran from November 2024 to March 2025, spanned 27 private institutions, including James Cook University, PSB Academy, and the Management Development Institute of Singapore.

Worth noting is how a significant portion of private institution graduates (28.3%) were either unemployed and actively looking for work or trapped in part-time roles not of their choosing. This is more than double the 10.7% recorded for their counterparts from autonomous universities, and nearly four times the 7.2% for post-NS polytechnic grads.

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Implications for Singapore's talent pipelines

The employment picture emerging from this survey sends a clear signal to both educators and employers: not all degrees are created equal in today’s labour market.

For HR leaders and talent acquisition professionals, it’s a timely reminder that employability is influenced not just by academic credentials but by industry alignment, practical skills, and the reputation of the institution.

As Singapore confronts economic headwinds, the talent pipeline from private institutions may need more than a polish – it might require a complete rewiring.

Bridging the employment divide between public and private graduates will take more than internships and career fairs; it calls for tighter collaboration between industry and education providers, and a sharper focus on future-ready capabilities.

For now, many fresh grads from private schools find themselves on a tougher climb, trying to prove their mettle in a more competitive and selective job market.

And while a pay cheque may not be the sole measure of success, in the business world, it’s often the first vote of confidence.