The 2018 Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal found CSU graduates were earning an average of $78,300 three years after leaving university, with 93.6 per cent of graduates in full-time employment.

CSU ranked first in Australia on both measures.

The report emphasises that factors such as course offerings, the composition of the student population and variations in state/territory and regional labour markets, might also impact on employment outcomes.

The survey compares 2015-2018 data from more than 38,000 graduates from 60 institutions (39 universities, and 21 non-university higher education institutions).

CSU’s acting vice-chancellor Jenny Roberts said the survey findings reflected the commitment to educating professionals for regional Australia and the world. 

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“I think at CSU we focus on preparing students to go out in the real world and contribute to their communities because they’re equipped with extra values,” she said. 

“Our courses are connected to industries and what they want; we’re designing what the future workforce needs and constantly refreshing our courses and making sure our students are working in the industries that will get them a job.” 

Ms Roberts argued that regional students are succeeding because they understand the importance of working hard.

“Students that come through regional universities do it tough because they’re usually the first in their family and it’s not an expected thing,” she said. 

“We have students from lower SES, those who have to support themselves and are maybe working full-time while studying, and therefore the reason why they’re successful is because they get in and know they have to work hard.

“I think it’s just this regional background knowledge of hard workers and diligence.”