Labor Department: Job market improved for 2013 college grads but remained weak

The job market for new college graduates is brightening but remains weaker than before the Great Recession began.

The Labor Department reports that the unemployment rate for 2013 college graduates — defined as those ages 20 to 29 who earned a four-year or advanced degree — was 10.9 percent. That was down from 13.3 percent in 2012 and was the lowest rate since 7.7 percent in 2007.

Female graduates fared better than men: 9 percent were unemployed as of October last year, compared with 13.7 percent of men. The economy has been generating jobs in many low-wage fields — such as retail and hotels — that disproportionately employ women.

Unemployment for recent grads was slightly above the overall 9.6 percent rate for Americans ages 20 to 29 in October.