2012 college grads earning slightly more than those in 2011

UNITED STATES - Bachelor’s degree graduates from the class of 2012 had a small reason to be happier than those who graduated a year ahead of them.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, class of 2012 graduates who were able to find a job in a difficult job market earned an average salary that was 1.7 percent higher than the average salary earned by the class of 2011. Class of 2012 grads who landed a job earned an average of $44,259 while 2011 grads earned an average of $43,521.

Though such a small percentage increase may not seem like a significant step in the right d...