For fresh graduates stepping into the workforce, the first paycheck often sets the tone for their career journey. A new study by Briefcase Index, drawing from the crowdsourced Liyab First Pay Survey, reveals which Philippine universities give their alumni the strongest financial head start and the results highlight both prestige and disparity.
De La Salle at the Top
Graduates of De La Salle University are entering the workforce with a median monthly starting salary of ₱35,000, the highest among all institutions surveyed between 2020 and 2025. This figure places La Salle ahead of Ateneo de Manila University (₱32,000) and University of the Philippines Diliman (₱30,000), cementing its reputation as a launchpad for lucrative careers.
The Pay Gap
The study also underscores a striking gap: while La Salle graduates begin at ₱35,000, those from University of the Philippines Visayas report a median starting salary of just ₱20,000. That ₱15,000 difference illustrates how geography, institutional networks, and employer perceptions can shape early-career outcomes.
The Top 10 Universities by Starting Salary
| Rank | University | Median Monthly Starting Salary (2020 – 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | De La Salle University | ₱35,000 |
| #2 | Ateneo de Manila University | ₱32,000 |
| #3 | University of the Philippines Diliman | ₱30,000 |
| #4 | University of the Philippines Los Baños | ₱25,500 |
| #5 | University of Santo Tomas | ₱23,000 |
| #6 | Saint Louis University | ₱22,500 |
| #7 | Polytechnic University of the Philippines | ₱21,750 |
| #8 | Mapúa University | ₱20,900 |
| #9 | De La Salle Lipa | ₱20,500 |
| #10 | University of the Philippines Visayas | ₱20,000 |
Implications for Students and Employers
According to a Briefcase Index spokesperson, the ranking provides “a clearer picture of how graduates from different universities are entering the workforce in the Philippines.” For students and families, it offers perspective on early-career earning potential, while for employers, it serves as a reference for hiring strategies, salary positioning, and campus outreach.
The findings also contrast with a 2023 report by Human Resources Online, which noted that university students expected an average annual salary of ₱495,966, a figure higher than the actual median starting salaries across all universities in this study.
The survey paints a practical overview of graduate earning trends, offering insights for both education and workforce planning. For aspiring students, it’s a reminder that university choice can influence not just academic growth but financial trajectory. For employers, it’s a benchmark to better understand the evolving talent landscape.
In the end, the study doesn’t just rank universities, it tells a story of opportunity, ambition, and the realities of the Philippine job market.
0 Comments