- Recent graduates report an average starting salary of $68,400, while rising graduates expect $101,500.
- 82% of rising grads anticipate securing jobs within 3 months; only 77% of recent grads achieved this.
- Male graduates earn $72,700 on average, compared to $67,500 for female graduates, highlighting a gender pay gap.
ZipRecruiter (ZIP, Financial), a prominent online employment marketplace, has released its annual graduate report titled "The Graduate Divide: Expectations vs. Reality for the Class of 2025." The report, based on surveys of rising and recent college graduates, sheds light on the variance between expectations and reality concerning job searches, salaries, and future job market prospects.
The study found that while 82% of rising graduates expect to find employment within three months of graduation, only 77% of recent graduates met this expectation, with 5% still in search of their first job. Furthermore, there is a notable discrepancy in salary expectations, as rising graduates anticipate earning an average of $101,500, but the actual average starting salary reported by recent graduates is $68,400.
Schedule flexibility is another area where expectations and reality diverge. Although 90% of rising grads placed high importance on job flexibility, only 29% of recent grads reported having flexible work schedules.
The report also highlights a gender pay gap, with male graduates earning an average of $72,700 annually, compared to $67,500 for female graduates. In addition, the efficacy of internships has declined, with only 9.7% of recent grads securing full-time roles through such experiences, despite the optimism of 40% of rising grads that internships would lead to job offers.
AI remains a concern for graduates entering the workforce, with almost half concerned about its impact on job availability. Industries with the most opportunities for entry-level positions include nursing, special education, and electronics engineering.
