CQU graduates among Australia's highest earners and most employable
CQUniversity graduates are among the highest paid in Australia, with new national data revealing they are earning six-figure salaries just three years after completing their studies.
Results from the 2026 Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal (GOS-L), released today, rank CQUniversity third in Australia for median undergraduate salaries, with graduates earning $103,000 annually in full-time employment - more than $9,000 higher than the national median ($93,900).
The survey tracks the employment and salary outcomes of graduates approximately three years after completing their qualifications, providing an important measure of the long-term value of a university education.
Today’s results also highlighted strong employment outcomes for CQUniversity graduates, with 95.2 per cent of domestic undergraduates landing full-time employment within three years of completing their studies compared to the national medium-term full-time employment rate of 92 per cent.
This result places CQUniversity first in Queensland and fourth nationally.
CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Nick Klomp said the results were a powerful endorsement of the University's commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality education that translates into real career opportunities and reflected the University's focus on industry engagement, practical learning and preparing students for the realities of the modern workforce.
"To see our graduates ranked among the highest earners in Australia is an outstanding achievement and something our entire University community can be incredibly proud of," Professor Klomp said.
"These results demonstrate that a CQUniversity qualification is more than just a degree – it's an investment in a successful and rewarding future.
"Our graduates are entering the workforce with the knowledge, skills and practical experience employers are looking for, and they're continuing to reap the rewards as their careers progress.
"We know that our students choose to study because they want to build better futures for themselves, their families and their communities.”
Professor Klomp said that whether students were studying in regional Queensland, balancing work and family commitments, or pursuing a new career pathway, the University’s focus was on ensuring they graduated with the skills and confidence to succeed.
He said the outcomes were particularly meaningful given CQUniversity's longstanding commitment to widening participation in higher education.
"At CQUniversity, we believe that where you live or where you come from should never limit your opportunities in life,” he said.
"We're proud to provide accessible education to students from diverse backgrounds, and even prouder to see those students go on to achieve such exceptional career outcomes.
"Ultimately, that's what higher education should be about – creating opportunities, changing lives and helping people reach their full potential."
The 2026 GOS-L surveyed graduates who completed their qualifications in 2023, examining their employment status, salaries and career progression three years after graduation.
The survey forms part of the Australian Government's Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) program, which provides nationally comparable data on graduate employment and salary outcomes across Australian higher education institutions.
For more information, visit the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal dashboard.
