FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Despite the current economic conditions, the spring 2009 class of MBA students from the Sam M. Walton College of Business have seen positive employment outcomes post-graduation.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unemployed persons has risen by seven million since the start of the recession. The current unemployment rate makes for a more competitive job market for job-seeking college graduates.

Regardless of these statistics, the 2009 Walton College MBA class outperformed the 2008 class in terms of employment at graduation and employment in Arkansas.

According to the performance metrics relative to employment, 72 percent of job-seeking MBA graduates were employed at graduation – a four percent increase from 2008.

The percentage increased to 80 percent by one month after graduation.

In addition, 86 percent of 2009 MBA graduates accepted positions in Arkansas – a 12 percent increase from 2008.

In terms of students’ pre-MBA salaries vs. their post-MBA compensation, Walton College MBA graduates have also seen a very positive return on investment.

The average salary of employed 2009 Walton College MBA graduates is $61,494. When compared to their original salaries upon entering the MBA program, the class average increase in salary is $21,218 – an 84 percent average increase in salary.

One possible explanation to the positive employment outcomes is that 94 percent of the ’09 Walton College MBA class was employed in a summer 2008 internship. Many local companies and organizations hire interns post-graduation, such as Tyson Foods Inc., Saatchi & Saatchi X, Clark Nilfisk, Foundation Resource Management, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Kellogg’s.

The Applied Sustainability Center and the Supply Chain Management Research Center are two programs within the Walton College which also provided internships to the ’09 MBA class.

We appreciate the continued recruiting partnership the Walton College has with local, national and global employers that offer our students internships and full-time opportunities,” said Heather Sprandel, director of the Walton College Career Center.