ASE Releases Results to the 2025 Starting Salaries for Co-op Students and Recent College Graduates Survey

Media Contact: Heather Nezich, ASE, 248.223.8040, hnezich@aseonline.org

Muskegon, MI – December 19, 2024 --- ASE, one of the nation’s oldest and largest employer associations, has released the 2025 Starting Salaries for Co-op Students and Recent College Graduates Survey this week. The annual survey provides a comprehensive look at the current state of wages and benefits provided to co-op students and recent college graduates.  The survey also presents employers with a snapshot of the recruitment and retention trends associated with these new entrants to the workforce.

Highlights of the ASE 2025 Starting Salaries for Co-op Students and Recent College Graduates Survey include:

• 40% of those surveyed have increased rates for Co-op/Intern students within the last year.  This is a decrease from last year, where 51% had increased wages for this segment of their workforce.
• More than six of ten respondents (66%) say their company has hired a recent college graduate in the past year or plans to hire one in 2025. This is a decrease from what was reported in 2023 (72%).
• The top six in-state institutions survey respondents actively recruit from are: 1) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; 2) Michigan State University; 3) Oakland University 4) Wayne State University; 5) Michigan Technological University; 6) Kettering University.
• The top three knowledge/skill factors organizations consider when making hiring decisions, in order, are: computer skills, related coursework (i.e., to the work required in the job), and degree level.
• 78% of respondents reported that they do not provide benefits to co-ops/interns
• Of the 22% of respondents that provide benefits to co-ops/interns, 40% provide medical coverage, 60% provide paid holidays, 40% provide paid sick or personal days, and 60% provide tuition assistance.
• The highest average starting salary was, again, Electrical Engineering at $77,471. This is a slight decrease from the previous year ($78,151).  The second and third highest average starting salaries were Mechanical Engineering ($75,362) and Manufacturing Engineering ($73,570).
• The average salaries for select non-technical roles were as follows: HR/Labor Relations at $62,394, Psychology at $48,699, Social Work at $46,995, and Communications at $46,337.

The ASE 2025 Starting Salaries for Co-op Students and Recent College Graduates Survey findings were announced by ASE President and CEO, Mary E. Corrado. “The ASE 2025 Starting Salaries Survey highlights a shifting landscape for new graduates, with fewer companies planning to hire and slower wage growth for co-ops and interns, signaling a more challenging and competitive labor market for those entering the workforce.”

Background information on the ASE 2025 Starting Salaries for Co-op Students and Recent College Graduates Survey

138 organizations from across Michigan participated. Organizations with 100 employees or less nationally made up approximately 36% of the survey sample, while organizations with 101-499 employees nationally represented roughly 46% of the sample. The remaining 18% of the sample came from organizations with more than 500 employees.  A variety of industries have been represented in the survey, with durable goods manufacturing (47.8%) leading the pack. Trades and Services (23.9%) were the second-largest industry representation.

This survey is available at no cost to ASE Members via the ASE Survey Library. It is available for $415 for non-member participants and for $825 for non-member non-participants.  Request to purchase here.

About ASE

ASE is employers trusted partner for Everything HR. ASE is a non-profit, membership organization – everything we do is based on the needs of members and to drive the success of their organizations and help them THRIVE.  ASE strengthens organizations’ HR departments by offering member benefits and discounted services that span the entire employee lifecycle including recruitment, development, and retention while minimizing compliance risk. We provide our members guidance through new legislation and workplace issues. Learn more about ASE at www.aseonline.org.