Results from 3 years of data show female university students anticipate lower salaries compared with their male counterparts, whereas ethnic minorities expect a higher income.
Researchers surveyed first year and final year business school students at two English universities on their expectations of their earnings immediately after graduation and 10 years after graduation.
Overall, study results showed female students believed their starting salaries would be 9% lower vs. the salaries of their male peers. Female students also believed they would be earning 16% less than their male peers 10 years after graduation. However, researchers found students from ethnic minorities expected to earn more both immediately after graduation and 10 years later compared with their white peers.
Study results also showed students who undertake a work placement are more likely to be employed and receive higher starting salaries after graduating. Researchers believe this is due to permanent job offers made after a successful placement.
First year students tended to have higher salary expectations than students in their final year, who are generally more aware of the job market.
Despite the difficult economic situation, study results showed more than 80% of students expected to be in a graduate-level job 6 months after completing their degrees.
For more information:
Anchor JR. Abstract 0070. Presented at: The Society for Research Into Higher Education Annual Conference. Dec. 11-13, 2013; Newport, Wales, United Kingdom.
Disclosure: The researchers have no relevant financial disclosures.
