Blue Book shows Depreciation in Value of Top Tier University Diploma

The 2010 Blue Book of China's Society published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences points out that the value of diplomas from key prestigious universities under the "958 Project", a project implemented in 1998 by Jiang Zemin to promote the Chinese higher education system, is decreasing. Although the pay of the vast majority of employees in China has increased, salaries for the first jobs of graduates from top tier universities are falling.

According to the blue book, the negative effects of the financial crisis gradually appeared in 2010. The overall life satisfaction of urban and rural residents has declined.

The blue book also points out that college graduates not only face pressures to find a job, but are confronted with the reality of a low salary. Many college graduates have to accept jobs with low pay, making them feel that their diploma is worthless.

The blue book also revealed that the average monthly salary of college graduates and PhD holders from universities under the "985 Project" only reached the level of average employees in cities and towns. Therefore, the average monthly salary level of graduates from average-ranked universities should be even lower.

Some government officials and experts believe that this situation exists because the salary expectations of graduates are too high.

Most graduates from top tier universities under the "985 Project" expect to get jobs in state-owned companies or foreign enterprises.

This article was polished by Rose Scobie and Ruoji Tang

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社会蓝皮书显示名牌大学文凭正在逐年贬值
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