Graduates from private colleges report increased income and family social mobility

Four in ten graduates (42.4%) from private universities and colleges are the first person in their family to obtain a degree. The sector's data is included in the 2026 Employability Survey, carried out by Semesp (Union of Entities Maintaining Higher Education Establishments in the State of São Paulo), an entity that represents private higher education companies in the country. According to the study, this represents a multiplication of income.

Among these graduates who earned up to R$1,000 per month before completing the course, 91.8% moved to a higher income bracket after graduation.

For private institutions, these numbers serve to measure the financial return on the investment made by the student and show that the product sold by private universities is converted into an increase in income.

"The conclusion is that higher education is a tool to combat inequality. Additional years of study are associated with an increase in student income, which makes it possible to break the cycle of family poverty. It proves the role of education as the main form of social mobility in the country", says Lúcia Teixeira, president of Semesp and Unisanta (Santa Cecília University).

The research was carried out between July 8 and August 23 of this year, using questionnaires. 4,106 graduates from 200 private institutions and 134 courses were interviewed.

When divided by color or race, 51.6% of black people are the first person in their family to complete higher education. Among whites, the rate is 37.8%.

The research records an association between education and income. The average income is R$4,630 among graduates, R$6,684 among those who completed a lato sensu postgraduate degree and R$9,262 among masters, doctors and post-doctors.

The income of those with a lato sensu degree exceeds that of graduates by 44.3%, and that of those with a stricto sensu degree is practically double. For institutions, values ​​delimit the continuing education market: each level taken after graduation appears along with an increase in the graduate's income.

"The research shows the diploma as a real tool for transforming the life path of entire families", adds Lúcia Teixeira.