Italian university graduates earn a 36% salary premium over non‑graduates, with Bocconi, technical universities and engineering degrees leading the pay rankings
Executive summary: In 2025, Italian university graduates earned an average gross annual salary of 42,378 euros, about 36% higher than the 30,999 euros earned by non‑graduates; Bocconi and technical universities ranked highest, with engineering degrees delivering the top pay. The salary gap underscores the financial return on a degree, shaping enrollment choices, employer salary offers and education policy discussions on aligning curricula with market needs.
Who is involved: Italian graduates, universities (especially Bocconi and the politecnici), engineering faculties, employers across sectors, and education policymakers.
Likely next: Continued demand for STEM and technical degrees may push universities to expand those programs, while policymakers could consider linking funding to graduate employment outcomes.
The Repubblica study based on 2025 data shows that degree holders average 42,378 euros gross per year, compared with 30,999 euros for those without a degree. Bocconi and the politecnici top the list, while engineering faculties deliver the highest earnings. This highlights the wage advantage of higher education and its influence on student and employer decisions.
Timeline
- — Quanto vale la laurea: la classifica delle Università che “offrono” gli stipendi migliori (la Repubblica — Economia)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- Engineering education
- Technical labor market
Key entities
Sources
- Quanto vale la laurea: la classifica delle Università che “offrono” gli stipendi migliori — la Repubblica — Economia