College graduates can expect to have an easier time finding jobs, and many of those positions are paying higher salaries than a year ago, according to a new survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, or NACE.

In a separate study by NACE, Raleigh ranked fourth among major metropolitan areas for job prospects. That report was commissioned by Bizjournals, which includes the Triangle Business Journal.

Starting salaries at 26 of 29 bachelor’s degree majors are up this spring, NACE reported Tuesday. Average salary offers varied by category, including an increase of 10.3 percent to $41,285 in marketing. The smallest increase in business fields was 2.7 percent, to $47,421, for accounting majors.

The group forecast that employers would hire 17.4 percent more graduates this spring in a report released last fall.

"This report supports the positive hiring outlook we've projected for this year's class of graduates, as increases in average starting salary offers typically signal increased demand," said Marilyn Mackes, NACE’s executive director.

Economics graduates received on average offers of $53,449, and finance graduates were offered $47,877 on average,

Other categories and increases included:

• Computer science, up 2.5 percent, to $52.177

• Management information systems/business data processing, up 4.9 percent, to $47,877.

In the Bizjournals report, Las Vegas topped the jobs opportunities list followed by Phoenix, Washington, Raleigh, and Salt Lake City.

NACE is based in Pennsylvania.