The choice of university greatly affects what a young person’s working life will be like.
he The latest study conducted by Knowledge and Development (CYD) on graduates and employability It reveals that the type of institution in which studies are conducted makes clear differences in salaries, stability and working conditions.
Four years after completing their studies, graduates of private universities have a higher average annual contribution base than those who studied at public universities: €33,990 compared to 30,429.
And not only that. They are also more likely to obtain permanent contracts and be in permanent employment. Full time.
Private university study appears as a small stepping stone towards a better career future. Something very important at the time Youth unemployment is particularly high.
In the face of the widespread assumption that young people are studying privately because of a shortage of places in public schools, the study was launched CYD Foundation It raises the possibility that, in addition to this lack of supply, young people are choosing the private sector for their employment opportunities.
This would explain why private universities have more and more students and their offerings in the Spanish educational landscape never stop growing.
Its graduates not only receive higher salaries, but also hold more important positions.
High quotes collection
The report confirms that there is a higher percentage of public university graduates who work in lower category jobs: in the fourth year, practically 40% of public university graduates belong to the medium/low contribution group, while in the fourth year, 40% of public university graduates belong to the medium/low contribution group. Especially this figure is reduced to 30%.
But the report reveals that the advantages of studying in private centers are not distributed equally in all areas of knowledge.
In areas such as Business, management, law, education or artsAccording to the report, graduates of private schools receive better initial working conditions than their counterparts from public schools.
On the other hand, differences in science and technology degrees tend to decrease or even disappear, with employability scenarios Equivalent to approx Between the two university models.
More independent
One of the most prominent characteristics of the study is that young people who decide to study at a private university are more interested in entrepreneurship.
Among graduates of private universities there are twice as many graduates as self-employed: 12.1% compared to 6.4% for the general public.
This photo comes at a time when the Spanish university system is undergoing profound change, and at a time when more and more young people are choosing private centres.
During the 2023-2024 academic yearPublic universities have concentrated the bulk of students (74.3% of the total), but enrollment in private centers has increased at a much greater rate. This year there are already nearly half a million students, after a 6.8% increase in one course.
The trend becomes clearer if the focus is broadened: In the past nine years, Enrollment in private education increased by 91%, while enrollment in public education recorded an almost zero variation (-0.14%).
All this is happening in a context in which the government intends to place restrictions on the private sector through laws limiting the establishment of new centres, which has prompted some regions, such as the Madrid region, to file appeals over alleged unconstitutionality.
Executive L Pedro Sanchez It sees a threat in the growth of private universities, while in recent years not a single new public center has been built.
Today, Spain has 92 universities – 50 public and 42 private – competing to attract students.