College grads expect $84,855 post-graduation, but the actual average starting salary is just $55,911.

In a 2023 study, Real Estate Witch found that college students expected to earn an average of $84,855 one year after graduation. In fact, students said they would not accept a job for less than $72,580 right out of college. However, the average starting salary for recent graduates is around $56,000. It seems that students’ expectations exceed the reality of initial earnings. While engineering students have the best salary prospects, with an average 2024 starting salary projection of $76,736, computer science majors follow closely with a 2024 salary projection of $74,778. Business majors can expect to make $63,907 right out of school.

Sources:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/how-much-college-students-expect-to-make-at-their-first-jobs-are-they-realistic/ar-BB1lz7ta

https://www.realestatewitch.com/college-graduate-salary-2023/

https://www.diverseeducation.com/students/article/15447566/survey-current-undergraduates-expect-to-make-far-more-than-salary-realities