Class of 2012 Faring Far Better Than Class of 2011

Early data suggest the college Class of 2012 may fare better in the job market than their peers who graduated a year ago, according to a new study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

More than one-quarter (25.5 percent) of the Class of 2012 that applied for a job already has one in hand, according to results of NACE’s 2012 Student Survey. That’s up slightly from last year at this time, when 24 percent of 2011 graduates who had applied for a job reported having accepted one.

Among 2012 graduates who applied for a job, 44.2 percent received at least one job offer. In comparison, 41.4 percent of 2011 graduates who applied for jobs received an offer.

At this juncture, graduates most likely to receive a job offer were those earning degrees in accounting, engineering, computer science, economics, and business administration. Continue Reading

Top Earners Amongst 2011 Grads: Finance Major Working for Banks Started at $67,700

Top pay among Class of 2011 bachelor’s degree graduates went to finance majors landing financial manager positions with banks, according to a report published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

NACE’s Winter 2012 Salary Survey shows that the average starting salary for these graduates in this position and industry was $67,700. Continue Reading

Highest Paying Industry for Class of 2011 Was Financial Instruments

A new study has the securities, commodities, funds, trusts, and other instruments financial services industry coming in at the top for the highest average starting salaries for Class of 2011 graduates at the bachelor’s degree level.

The top five industries were:

1. Securities, commodities, funds, trusts, and other financial investments = $58,571 (42,000 hires);
2. Electric power companies = $56,780 (2,000 hires);
3. Non-depository credit / related activities =$53,825 (8,000 hires);
4. Computer systems design = $53,547 (50,000 hires); and
5. Business support services = $50,280 (1,000 hires).

Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers

Salary Offers Increase 6 percent for Class of 2011 to $51,171

The overall average salary offer to Class of 2011 graduates has risen 6 percent over last year’s average, according to a new survey published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

NACE’s Fall 2011 Salary Survey report shows the overall average salary offer to a bachelor’s degree graduate rose from $48,288 for the Class of 2010 to $51,171 for the Class of 2011. Continue Reading