Average salary increases for 2,134 faculty in the field of business economics are reported for 1985-1986 for both public and private institutions, as part of the College and University Personnel Association's annual faculty salary studies. Included are comparative data for 108,074 faculty at 174 public colleges and 193 private colleges, representing 41 academic disciplines. In 1982, 79 public and 100 private colleges reported on business economics faculty salaries, while 101 public and 104 private colleges reported in 1985. Between 1982 and 1985, average salaries of faculty in this field increased 23.8% at public colleges and 18.2% at private colleges. The average salary for business economics faculty was above the average faculty salary in the other 40 disciplines (5% above for public colleges and 6% above for private colleges). Included is information on: the number of faculty by academic rank, including new assistant professors; salaries by academic rank; the ratio of average salaries to total average salaries of all public and all private colleges in both years studied; comparisons between the 2 years and with the Consumer Price Index of changes in cost-of-living; and comparisons with 40 other disciplines. The disciplines and participating institutions are listed. (SW)