NUS vs NTU vs SMU: Comparing Singapore's 3 Universities

NUS, NTU, and SMU enroll most of Singapore's university students. This comparison covers the 112 undergraduate programmes tracked across the three, of which 97 have published IGP or GES data: admission competitiveness, employment outcomes, salaries, and unique offerings.

At a Glance: Key Numbers

NUS has the highest median IGP at 66.72 points. NTU has the most programmes and the widest admission range, from 49.22 to 67.81 points. SMU has the highest employment rate at 93.5%.

Admissions Competitiveness

NUS is the hardest to enter, with a median 10th percentile IGP of 66.72 rank points, nearly 9 points higher than NTU's median. Medicine, Law, and Computer Science all require AAA/A.

Most Competitive Courses at Each University

Most Accessible Courses

NTU has the most accessible options:

• NTU Civil Engineering: 49.22 points (CCD/D), yet 86.7% employment and a $4,200 median salary
• NTU Mechanical Engineering: 50.31 points (CCD/C), with 79.5% employment and a $4,500 median salary
• NUS Nursing: 50.31 points (CCD/C), with 92.1% employment and a $4,000 median salary

SMU's most accessible programme is Bachelor of Science (Information Systems) at 56.88 points, with a $5,400 median salary, higher than many more competitive courses.

Graduate Employment Outcomes

SMU leads in employment rate at 93.5%, followed by NUS at 92.3%. NTU is at 82.6%, varying by faculty: NTU Engineering averages 81%, while NTU Business reaches 88%.

Top 5 Highest-Paying Courses Across All Three

1. NUS Law: $7,000 median, 93.8% employment
2. NUS/NTU Medicine: $6,500 median, 100% employment
3. NUS Computer Science: $6,400 median, 96% employment secured
4. NTU Computer Science: $5,800 median
5. NUS Business Analytics: $5,700 median, 88.6% employment

Computing courses dominate the high-salary list. SMU's Software Engineering ($5,500) and Information Systems ($5,400) are within $400 of NTU Computer Science ($5,800) despite lower admission requirements.

Employment Patterns by University

NUS graduates have the highest full-time permanent employment rate, at an average of 87%. SMU has higher contract and freelance rates, particularly in creative and business fields. NTU varies the most: engineering graduates predominantly enter permanent roles, while arts and design graduates show more diverse employment types.

Median starting salaries across all programmes are close: $4,475 (NUS), $4,350 (NTU), and $4,500 (SMU). The $150 gap is small next to the variation between courses: NUS Nursing at $4,000 pays less than SMU Accountancy at $4,200.

Course Offerings & Specialisations

Unique Programmes at Each University

Faculty Structure Differences

NUS spans nearly every discipline, with distinct faculties for Medicine, Law, Engineering, Computing, Science, Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Design, and Music.

NTU has similarly broad coverage, with schools such as the Nanyang Business School, the Asian School of the Environment, and the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication. It offers numerous double degrees and integrated programmes.

SMU focuses on business, social sciences, and their intersections. Every student takes a common curriculum including critical thinking, ethics, and technology modules. Classes are seminar-style (45 students or fewer), unlike the large lectures at NUS and NTU.