Employers in the private sector plan to hire more 2011 graduates than employers in the public sector, The Wall Street Journal reports today:

Employers plan to hire 19% more new graduates this year than in 2010, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. That means students were more likely to have offers as they head toward graduation. Among college seniors who applied for positions, the survey said, 41% had an offer this year, up from 38% last year.

But the job market remains uneven. Most hiring is in the private sector, while openings in the public sector, such as teaching, remain scarce.

Makes total sense. After all, it’s the private sector that typically creates jobs. It also makes sense that students with certain majors fare better than others. Computer science, accounting, economics and engineering majors have far less trouble than, say, English or education majors.

Unfortunately, an improved outlook for 2011 graduates doesn’t erase the ongoing struggle of 2009 and 2010 grads. The jobless rate for college graduates between the ages of 20 and 24 was 6.4 percent in April. But, then again, that’s probably to be expected when overall unemployment stands at 9 percent. No wonder jobs and the economy remain the top priority of a plurality of the American people.