Generally, higher education often leads to better jobs and higher pay, but income differences exist depending on where studies were completed. Graduates from universities in Madrid or Catalonia tend to earn more over time, while those from Andalusia or Alicante may see lower salaries. In some cases, the gap can amount to as much as 2,768 euros per year relative to the provincial average, highlighting regional disparities.
An analysis led by Ineca’s Research Director, Francisco Llopis, sheds light on how highly educated professionals are affected by limited job opportunities within the country. This study complements a report from a policy think tank issued several months earlier. It notes a continued attraction of specialized talent, with some workers relocating across the country in search of positions that better match their qualifications.
To ground the findings, Llopis used the latest job placement statistics for university graduates provided by the government. He analyzed data for those who completed their studies in 2018 to see how they fared four years later.
The national picture shows that graduates overall entered the labor market with an average annual gross salary of 28,891 euros. When broken down by institution, graduates from Miguel Hernández University earned around 27,595 euros on average, a difference of 1,296 euros. At the University of Alicante, the gap widens to 2,768 euros, with an average salary of 26,123 euros.
Contributors note that these outcomes reflect not only regional economic conditions but also the productive structure of the area. The Alicante province appears to be slower to create high-skilled roles that match the education produced locally. This dynamic prompts ongoing discussion about how to retain talent and encourage the development of high-value jobs at regional employers.
The analysis also points out a concerning tendency: a substantial share of UA graduates from 2018 entered occupations that do not require advanced qualifications. In this group, 28.97 percent work in roles unrelated to their field, the second highest rate among Spanish universities. In comparison, 22.13 percent of GNA graduates and the national average of 19.6 percent point to a broader pattern of underutilized qualifications. At UA, about 21.45 percent perform tasks needing only a moderate level of education, a proportion that compares unfavorably with the national average and underscores the mismatch between education and local job opportunities.
Images from the Elche campus of Miguel Hernández University emphasize the local context amid the discussion of underemployment and salary variation.
According to Llopis, the data clearly illustrate that the province’s productive structure may not be generating enough high-skilled jobs to absorb the talent produced by its universities. He argues that stronger commitments from large companies to pursue innovation and high value-added products are essential. He also notes that differences between state universities in the region are influenced by each institution’s weight in the regional economy, which can influence overall salary levels. Humanities programs tend to experience lower demand in the business sector at UA, contributing to the observed earnings gaps.
low skilled jobs
Beyond regional salary differences driven by living costs, Llopis highlights another factor: a large share of Alicante’s university students end up in jobs that do not align with their studies. By 2018, 28.97 percent of UA graduates worked in professions not requiring specialized qualifications, the second highest rate among Spanish universities. This situation is echoed by 22.13 percent of GNA graduates, with the national average around 19.6 percent. At UA, about 21.45 percent perform tasks that require only moderate education. This indicates a broader trend of underemployment relative to the country’s educational output.
Photos of the Elche campus and Miguel Hernández University underscore the local setting of these statistics and discussions about career alignment for graduates.
As the discussion continues, the focus remains on how the productive framework in Alicante can adapt to better utilize higher-educated talent. Llopis stresses that the salary gaps and underemployment point to the need for stronger, innovation-driven investment by regional firms and a shift toward sectors with higher value addition. He also suggests that the initial differences between universities in the region can be mitigated by expanding opportunities in high-skilled fields that retain graduates within the province rather than pushing them to other regions.
The Ineca analysis also includes commentary from university leadership. UMH’s Vice Rector for Students and Coordination notes that the distorting effect of large urban centers may widen provincial salary gaps, but he also recognizes the obstacles to career progression for regional graduates. He advocates for policy measures that enable the state to tap into emerging talent at its universities and prevent talent from relocating elsewhere in search of better opportunities.