Ranking
Best Cities for New College Graduates
A young-professional ranking for 22-25 year old college graduates using population momentum, BLS state unemployment, city scale, career tags, schooling access, cost pressure, and lifestyle fit. Rankings are transparent research aids. Verify rent, wages, school programs, crime, commute, taxes, and neighborhood details before making a relocation decision.
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| City | Rank | Grad fit | 2025 population | State unemployment | Growth | Jobs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), Tennessee | #20 | 79/100 | 721,074 | 3.1% | +4.59% | competitive | starter-friendly |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | #14 | 75/100 | 964,784 | 3.5% | +10.30% | competitive | watch rent |
| Fort Worth, Texas | #10 | 74/100 | 1,028,117 | 4.3% | +11.89% | competitive | watch rent |
| Raleigh, North Carolina | #39 | 74/100 | 506,306 | 3.5% | +8.16% | competitive | watch rent |
| San Antonio, Texas | #7 | 73/100 | 1,548,422 | 4.3% | +8.03% | competitive | watch rent |
| Columbus, Ohio | #15 | 73/100 | 938,396 | 3.0% | +3.55% | competitive | starter-friendly |
| Austin, Texas | #12 | 72/100 | 1,002,632 | 4.3% | +4.64% | cautious | watch rent |
| Atlanta, Georgia | #36 | 72/100 | 529,110 | 3.2% | +6.08% | competitive | watch rent |
| Lincoln, Nebraska | #72 | 72/100 | 301,522 | 2.8% | +3.49% | strong | starter-friendly |
| Phoenix, Arizona | #5 | 71/100 | 1,665,481 | 4.7% | +3.55% | competitive | watch rent |
| Denver, Colorado | #19 | 71/100 | 740,613 | 3.7% | +3.51% | competitive | high rent pressure |
| Henderson, Nevada | #55 | 71/100 | 353,289 | 5.0% | +11.54% | competitive | watch rent |
| Durham, North Carolina | #70 | 71/100 | 305,561 | 3.5% | +7.64% | competitive | watch rent |
| Madison, Wisconsin | #77 | 71/100 | 286,233 | 2.9% | +4.22% | strong | watch rent |
| Omaha, Nebraska | #42 | 70/100 | 488,797 | 2.8% | -0.62% | strong | starter-friendly |
| Jacksonville, Florida | #11 | 69/100 | 1,017,689 | 4.4% | +7.17% | competitive | watch rent |
| Seattle, Washington | #18 | 69/100 | 784,777 | 4.8% | +6.47% | cautious | high rent pressure |
| Cincinnati, Ohio | #66 | 69/100 | 314,367 | 3.0% | +1.54% | strong | starter-friendly |
| Miami, Florida | #41 | 68/100 | 489,812 | 4.4% | +10.76% | cautious | watch rent |
| Huntsville, Alabama | #100 | 68/100 | 233,627 | 3.4% | +8.67% | competitive | watch rent |
| Chicago, Illinois | #3 | 67/100 | 2,731,585 | 4.7% | -0.61% | cautious | high rent pressure |
| Indianapolis city (balance), Indiana | #16 | 67/100 | 901,116 | 3.2% | +1.52% | competitive | starter-friendly |
| Kansas City, Missouri | #37 | 67/100 | 521,220 | 3.4% | +2.60% | competitive | starter-friendly |
| Fort Wayne, Indiana | #82 | 67/100 | 275,203 | 3.2% | +4.28% | strong | starter-friendly |
| Los Angeles, California | #2 | 66/100 | 3,869,089 | 4.7% | -0.78% | competitive | high rent pressure |