The Best B-Schools vs. the Recession

When the Class of 2010 enrolled in college four years ago, majoring in business seemed the best route to securing a plum job at graduation. Seniors were graduating with two and three job offers, starting salaries averaged close to $50,000, and big signing bonuses and benefits packages were typical. Then came the Great Recession. Students returned from summer internships without job offers. And those lucky enough to land a position had to settle for lower salaries than they had expected.

Many 2009 graduates were still searching for work long after they stored their caps and gowns in their parents' attics. Now, as the Class of 2010 prepares to follow them into the workforce, the job market continues to deteriorate. "This year isn't going to be particularly strong," says Edwin W. Koc, director of research at the National Association of Colleges & Employers. "It may be even slightly worse than last year."