Majority of Local Employers Hiring New College Graduates

Majority of Local Employers Hiring New College Graduates

The results of the 2011 Intern & Recent Grad Pay Rates & Practices Survey, conducted by ERC and NOCHE, showed that slightly over two-thirds (67%) of Northeast Ohio employers were in the process of hiring or planning to hire new graduates for positions in their organizations. The widespread majority of employers hire these graduates for entry-level positions, though some organizations hire them for mid-level/non-supervisory roles.

According to employers, the most common criteria they look for when hiring new graduates is work experience, interpersonal/communication skills, professionalism, major, and work ethic.  Many of these factors are also used to determine salary, along with professional credentials (such as certifications and internships/co-ops).

The survey also shows that average starting salaries for recent graduates vary depending on the type of degree. An engineering degree showed the highest average starting salary, while a communications degree showed the lowest average starting salary in the survey.

Average starting salaries for college degrees

Degree Obtained

Average Starting Salary

Bachelors, Engineering

$51,455

Bachelors, Management

$50,000

Bachelors, Computer Science

$47,250

Bachelors, Information Technology

$43,500

Bachelors, Accounting

$43,400

Bachelors, Sales

$40,000

Bachelors, Marketing

$37,333

Masters, Business Administration

$37,000

Bachelors, Business Administration

$32,571

Bachelors, Communications

$31,000

View the Intern & Recent Graduate Pay Rates & Practices Survey

This survey reports data from Northeast Ohio employers about their internship and recent graduate employment and pay practices.

View the Results