A new survey looks at average starting salaries for those who graduated in 2011.

 The average starting salary for graduates in the Class of 2011 jumped by 2.3% from the average salary for 2010 grads, a new survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers says.

The overall average salary for members of the Class of 2011 was $41,701, up from $40,766 a year earlier.

The survey created eight broad employment categories and reported average 2011 grad salaries for each. Here they are, in order:

1.  Engineering: $61,872
2.  Computer Science: $60,594
3.  Business: $48,111
4.  Health Sciences: $44,955
5.  Math and Sciences: $40,204
6.  Communications: $39,577
7.  Education: $37,830, and
8.  Humanities and Social Sciences: $35,503.

 All eight categories saw increases in average salary from 2010 to 2011. Computer science grads benefited most with a 4.1% jump, while math/science grads and health sciences grads saw salaries rise by 1.1% — the smallest increase among the eight groups.

The highest single salary reported by a 2011 grad: $72,594, by an engineering major. The lowest: a $28,312 annual take agreed to by a humanities grad.

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Tags: employment, graduation, starting salaries