Your parents have been talking about it since Thanksgiving. It dominates the conversations between you and your friends, whether it’s during a study break or over a beer pong table. It’s grad season, and while you’re busy acing finals and throwing your last hoorahs, you’re acutely aware of the next step in your professional journey – landing that first job.
Maybe you’re lucky enough to already have your pick of a few offers, maybe you’re taking a break before jumping into your job search. Whatever your circumstance, it always helps to have options. We analyzed the nation’s major metropolitan areas based on factors that make them the most desirable to recently graduated job seekers: a high number of jobs available, high percent of available positions that require a bachelor’s degree for consideration, low median cost of rent, high percent of 21-24 year olds residing in the area, and a range of recreational activities. By combining these factors, we’ve determined the best cities for new grads to move after college – for work and play.
1. Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 8.01%
Average rent for 1BR: $698
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Retail: Event Specialist
- Insurance: Insurance Representative
- Customer Service: Bank Teller
- Healthcare: Physical Therapist
- Engineering: Electrical Engineer
What to do on the weekends:
- Drink beer at the largest Oktoberfest in the U.S.
- Chow down on the city’s signature dish – Cincinnati Chili
- Spend a day at the Freedom Center or Cincinnati Zoo
2. Austin-Round Rock, TX
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 8.69%
Average rent for 1BR: $1075
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Education: Student Coordinator
- Healthcare: Occupational Therapist
- Hospitality/Restaurant: Restaurant Manager
- HR & Recruiting: Recruiting Associate
- Marketing/PR: SEO Specialist
What to do on the weekends:
- Enjoy live music at myriad venues across the city
- See a comedy show – the city boasts the most improv per capita in the nation
- Take a swim in Barton Springs
3. Madison, WI
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 11.09%
Average rent for 1BR: $775
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Insurance: Field Agent
- Customer Service: Customer Service Representative
- Hospitality/Restaurant: Restaurant Manager
- Manufacturing/Operations: CNC Programmer
- Retail: Merchandiser
What to do on the weekends:
- Free summer concerts in Capitol Square
- Boating, kayaking, camping and fishing on Lake Mendota
- Cook with fresh produce from The Dane County Farmer’s Market
- Enjoy a walk through the Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Explore the UW Arboretum
4. Columbus, OH
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 8.06%
Average rent for 1BR: $751
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Computer/Software: Application Programmer
- Education: Youth Program Coordinator
- Healthcare: Occupational Therapist
- Insurance: Insurance Agent
- Retail: Product Demonstrator
What to do on the weekends:
- Watch a film, see some theater, or enjoy an exhibit at the Wexner Center for the Arts
- Check out the historic German Village
- Take in some nature at the Columbus Park of Roses
5. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 11.84%
Average rent for 1BR: $925
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Education: Preschool Teacher
- Events: Event Specialist
- Insurance: Insurance Agent
- Marketing/PR: SEO Expert
- Sales & Biz Dev: Local Coordinator
What to do on the weekends:
- See a hockey game
- Get your feet wet with some watersports at the The Mohawk River, Hudson River or Erie Canal
- Come September, jam out at the street concert PearlPalooza
6. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Unemployment Rate: 4%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 8.73%
Average rent for 1BR: $1175
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Accounting/Finance: Staff Accountant
- Admin/Secretarial: Administrative Assistant
- Education: Student Coordinator
- Healthcare: Registered Nurse
- Social Services: Direct Care Employment Consultant
What to do on the weekends:
- See a play at the Guthrie Theater
- Fish, hike, or swim at one of their many wetlands and lakes
- Check out the sights at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center
7. Oklahoma City, OK
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 5.95%
Average rent for 1BR: $670
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Advertising: Account Executive
- Events: Product Demonstrator
- Insurance: Life Insurance Agent
- Hospitality/Restaurant: General Manager
- Customer Service: Restaurant Manager
What to do on the weekends:
- See the breathtaking Chihuly exhibit at the Oklahoma Museum of Art
- Hang around in the Paseo Arts District
- Float down the Bricktown Canal
8. Kansas City, MO-KS
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 5.81%
Average rent for 1BR: $791
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Accounting/Finance: Mortgage Originator Branch Manager
- Engineering: Electrical Engineer
- Banking: Mortgage Advisor
- Healthcare: CNA Caregiver
- Retail: Store Manager
What to do on the weekends:
- Enjoy history and tunes at The American Jazz Museum and the Vine Jazz and Blues Festival
- Chow down on the distinctive KC barbeque at many fine establishments
- Enjoy a glass of wine and check out a show in the The Crossroads Arts District
9. Salt Lake City, UT
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 8.49%
Average rent for 1BR: $850
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Computer/Software: Graphic Designer
- Education: Lead Teacher
- Information Technology: Network Engineer
- Marketing/PR: Marketing Associate
- Hospitality/Restaurant: Restaurant Manager
What to do on the weekends:
- See a free concert in Pioneer Park
- Take a hike (or ski, or snowboard – really, the mountains are gorgeous)
- Check out the films (and maybe even see some celebrities) at the Sundance Film Festival
10. Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
Percent of population made up by 21-24 year olds: 8.42%
Average rent for 1BR: $775
Top 5 Industries and their most available entry level position:
- Insurance: Field Agent
- Education: Student Coordinator
- Healthcare: Polysomnographic Technologist
- Retail: Store Manager
- Sales & Biz Dev: Account Manager
What to do on the weekends:
- Take in some art and nature at the Frederik Meijer Gardens
- Enjoy a yoga class (or just grab some local grub) at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market
- Keep it classy and see a show at The Grand Rapids Ballet
