For all those high school students who have just endured the strains of the national college entrance examinations (Gaokao), choosing a suitable university major, preferably one that can land them a good job after graduation, is the number one thing they have to consider now.

According to the 2012 Chinese College Graduates Employment Report released by MyCOS, a third-party research institute that specializes in education assessment, the average monthly income has increased by 287 yuan or 11.6 percent from the previous year, amounting to an average total of 2,766 yuan (US$435) for college students who graduated last year.

Internet developer, architect (except for garden and water landscape architects) and financial analyst were the three highest-paying jobs in last year. The average pay for an internet developer per month, after completing a 6-month probation, is set around 4,731 yuan; an architect stands to make 4,575 yuan on average, and the going wage for a financial analyst is about 4,327 yuan.

The report also published the corresponding college majors for high-paying jobs in order to provide college graduates looking for jobs with a frame of reference. In addition, it can give high-school students a better idea of what they are getting themselves into before applying to university.

Also read: Top 10 lowest-paying jobs for graduates in 2012

                  Top 10 majors with lowest employment rate in 2012

   Computer system engineer or designer (計算機系統工程師或設計師)

 

Computer system engineer or designer

 Monthly income (after 6-month probation): 4,111 yuan (US$646)

2010 monthly income: 3,603 yuan (US$566)

Corresponding majors: Computer science and technology, Electronic information engineering, network engineering