This a scary statistic: "less than 64 percent of the Class of 2009 had jobs within six to seven months of graduating, down substantially from the classes of 2008 and 2007."
Here’s the good news, almost half of employers describe the overall job market for Class of 2011 bachelor’s degree graduates as “good.” Last year, they called the job market “fair.”
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), your college major is the biggest factor in determining your employment status come graduation time.
So here are the five degrees the organization says give students the best odds of getting hired:
#1 - Accounting Degree
New accounting regulations passed by Congress have made this always reliable degree even more valuable. According to a 2010 survey by NACE, 47 percent of accounting majors received a job offer prior to graduation.
Related Careers and Salaries:
Accountants: $59,430
Personal Financial Advisors: $69,050
Financial Analysts: $73,150
#2 - Business Degree
Businesses will lead the way out of these tough economic times, and they're going to need new workers to do it. More than 45 percent of business majors found a job prior to graduation, according to NACE.
Related Careers and Salaries:
Insurance Underwriters: $56,790
Administrative Services Managers: $73,520
Financial Managers: $99,330
#3 - Computer/Information Systems Degree
According to NACE, more than 44 percent of computer and information systems majors received at least one job offer prior to graduating in 2010.
Related Careers and Salaries:
Computer Support Specialists: $43,450
Network Systems Analysts: $71,100
Computer Scientists: $97,970
#4 - Engineering Degree
Not only do engineering students find jobs at a healthy clip prior to graduation, they get paid handsomely as well. According to a separate NACE survey, eight of the top 10 highest-paid majors are in engineering.
Related Careers and Salaries:
Civil Engineers: $74,600
Chemical Engineers: $ 84,680
Petroleum Engineers: $108,020
#5 - Health Sciences Degree
The future looks bright for health care. Nearly 39 percent of health sciences majors received a job offer before graduating in 2010, according to NACE. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that health care will generate more than 3 million new jobs through 2018.
Related Careers and Salaries:
Medical Assistants: $28,300
Health Information Technicians: $30,610
Registered Nurses: $62,450
