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.