Hello everyone! With graduation season just around the corner, the topic of job hunting is likely a heavy weight on many students’ minds, right? Recently, the Spanish University Foundation (Fundación CYD) and U-Ranking have released their latest reports on graduate employment, and the data is quite revealing. Today, let’s dive into the often-tough topic of unemployment rates for university graduates in Spain.
First, let’s look at the overall situation. According to the latest data, the average Social Security affiliation rate for Spanish university graduates four years after graduation is over 80%, significantly higher than their peers without a university degree. So, when discussing Spain’s graduate unemployment rates, it’s clear that getting a degree is definitely worthwhile. However, this doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels, as the disparities between different universities and fields of study are vast.

Top Spanish Universities by Employment Rate
Without further ado, let’s get straight to the data. Here is a ranking of universities based on their graduates’ Social Security affiliation rates four years after graduation, primarily referencing data from U-Ranking. See if your university or one you’re interested in is on the list:
| University Name | Graduate Employment Rate |
| Mondragon Unibertsitatea | 91.3% |
| Nebrija University | 91.0% |
| Pompeu Fabra University | 90.7% |
| Polytechnic University of Madrid | 89.8% |
| Polytechnic University of Catalonia | 89.6% |
As you can see, the top spots are dominated by strong polytechnic schools and private universities with a clear focus on employment. The leading public universities in Madrid and Barcelona also maintain a strong showing. Did your university make the list?
Choosing a Major: Potentially More Crucial Than the University
University rankings are just one reference point. Often, what you study is more important than where you study it. The data shows that the fields with the highest employment rates are concentrated in areas like engineering, information technology, and health sciences. For example, graduates in computer science, various engineering fields, and nursing have very high employment rates. In contrast, the job prospects for some less popular humanities and arts majors are more challenging. This isn’t to say these fields are not valuable, but rather that market demand is limited. Therefore, when choosing a major, it’s crucial to align your interests with your future career plans.
In Spain, a good university degree is a stepping stone to a good job, but your field of study determines how broad your future path will be. We hope this data can serve as a useful reference for prospective students choosing their university and major. We also welcome alumni and professionals to share their employment experiences and offer guidance to the next generation! What majors do you think are the most in-demand in Spain right now?