Spotlight for Recruiting Professionals
The starting salary expectations of first-generation and non-first generation students were similar, with a majority of first-generation students expecting a starting salary between $25,000 and $50,000 and a majority of non-first-generation expecting a salary between $30,000 and $55,000, according to a forthcoming special report based on results of NACE’s Class of 2016 Student Survey.
An elevated percentage of first-generation students expected a starting salary lower than $50,000 (73.1 percent of first-generation students vs. 64.1 percent of non-first-generation students), while a higher percentage of non-first-generation expected a salary starting of $50,000 or higher (33 percent of non-first-generation students vs. 26.8 percent of first-generation students).
These differences in expected starting salaries could be representative of a student’s choice in major and planned job sector, and suggests a relationship between how a student feels their education is valued in the job market.
The special report on the attitudes, behaviors, and job-search success of first-generation students will be available later this fall. The report is based on results from NACE’s Class of 2016 Student Survey, which was conducted February 16 – April 30, 2016. Among graduating seniors taking part in the survey, 5,013 self-identified as either first generation (1,925) or non-first generation (3,088). First-generation students are defined as having a parent/parents who does/do not possess at least a bachelor’s degree. The Class of 2016 Student Survey was sponsored by Enterprise. Survey participants can access a full copy of the report through MyNACE. Highlights from the Class of 2016 Student Survey are available at www.naceweb.org/surveys/student.aspx.
Figure 1: Starting salary expectations between first-generation and non-first-generation students
| Salary expectations |
Non-first-generation students |
First-generation students |
| More than $80,000 |
2.8% |
1.3% |
| $75,001 - $80,000 |
1.3% |
1.3% |
| $70,001 - $75,000 |
2.8% |
1.6% |
| $65,001 - $70,000 |
4.4% |
2.6% |
| $60,001 - $65,000 |
7.4% |
4.9% |
| $55,001 - $60,000 |
7.7% |
6.1% |
| $50,001 - $55,000 |
9.4% |
9.0% |
| $45,001 - $50,000 |
9.4% |
12.0% |
| $40,001 - $45,000 |
11.1% |
14.4% |
| $35,001 - $40,000 |
14.9% |
13.8% |
| $30,001 - $35,000 |
12.0% |
11.8% |
| $25,001 - $30,000 |
7.7% |
10.3% |
| $20,000 - $25,000 |
5.7% |
7.3% |
| Less than $20,000 |
3.3% |
3.5% |
Source: Class of 2016 Student Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers