Average starting salaries for the college graduating class of 2006 as reported by CNNmoney.com and how much they are up or down from last year's salaries.

Major 2006 Change

Chemical engineering $55,900 +4.2 percent

Electrical engineering $52,899 +3.5 percent

Mechanical engineering $50,672 -0.3 percent

Computer science $50,046 -2.0 percent

Accounting $45,723 +6.2 percent

Economics/finance $45,191 +11.0 percent

Civil engineering $44,999 +4.3 percent

Business administration $39,850 +3.9 percent

Marketing $36,260 -3.4 percent

Liberal arts $30,828 +6.1 percent

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More college graduates that employers nationwide project they will hire this year than a year ago: 15 percent

Annual starting salary a good student with a degree in accounting is looking at this year: $46,000

Entry-level positions that Enterprise Rent-A-Car projects it will fill with new graduates this year: 7,000