The non-profit that measures hiring among college graduates is forecasting better fortunes for the Class of '11.

For the first time in 18 months, the National Association of Colleges and Employers reports an "absolute majority" of the companies participating in its monthly hiring survey intend to add recent graduates to the payroll come the Spring. 

Everything, though, is relative. And in this instance,  "absolute majority" means 51.5 percent of the respondents. 

The NACE is nonetheless predicting that '11 grads will benefit from a 13.5 percent overall increase in hiring over  2010 levels. 

More good news: This year's graduates can moreover expect to earn more than the Class of 2010.

The predicted 3.5 percent increase in wages would  raise the overall average annual salary for recipients of bachelor's degrees to $50,034.

The overall figure is inflated by the compensation expected to flow to graduates holding degrees in chemical, electric and mechanical engineering.

Still, citing "limited data," the NACE says this year's liberal arts majors might see their wages rise by 9.5 percent to $35,633.

According to the NACE, graduates with degrees in public and private accounting, consulting, financial/treasury analysis and sales, investment banking and management currently have the best chances to nail down a job in their fields of study straight out of college.