The class of 2016 is optimistic about job prospects despite a growing trend in underemployment, according to the fourth annual Accenture Strategy 2016 US College Graduate Employment Study released today by Accenture (NYSE: ACN).

Twenty-one percent of this year’s college graduates accepted a job before graduation, up from 12% last year and 11% two years ago. A majority of 2016 graduates, 88%, expected to land a job in their field of study, compared to 65% of 2014/2015 graduates who said they have done so. When it comes to salary, 82% of 2016 graduates expected to earn more than $25,000 in their first job, yet 39% of 2014/2015 graduates actually said they make $25,000 or less.

However, the report also found 51% of those who graduated in 2014 and 2015 considered themselves to be underemployed or working in jobs that don’t require a college degree.

This year’s graduates also said they are seeking employers that offer meaningful work, ongoing learning opportunities and a fun workplace culture, according to the research.

The majority of 2016 grads, 70%, would rather work at a company that provides an employee experience built on a positive social atmosphere and receive a lower salary — up 10% compared to last year’s graduating class. Additionally, 69% chose their area of study because they were passionate about it and want to work for companies that do good. Almost all of 2016 graduates, 92%, said it is important to be employed at a company that demonstrates social responsibility. Salary and benefits aside, 30% of 2016 graduates said they believe opportunities to make a difference or meaningful work are important for an employer to offer.

They are also three times as likely to prefer to work for a small or midsize company, 44%, versus a large company, 14%, indicating a preference for a smaller team environment.

“Graduates are hungry for a culture with opportunities for rapid advancement and the ability to actually love the work that they do,” said Katherine LaVelle, managing director, Accenture Strategy. “This means employers will need to provide an employee experience that offers the flexibility to participate in project-based work, allowing for on-the-job learning and the opportunity to work across different roles with a small-team feel.”

Accenture conducted the online survey in the US in March 2016. It included 1,005 students graduating from college in 2016 and entering the job market, and 1,013 participants who already graduated college in 2014 or 2015.