Have Degree, Will Travel: Best Cities for New College Grads

For college grads doffing their mortarboards and sending out their résumés, 10 out of the 108 biggest cities in the U.S. were named the best for grads in affordability, employment, and fun.

One of the key findings from SmartAsset's ranking was, "Midwest is best," as six out of the 10 best cities were in this region. Columbus and Cincinnati were the number one and two cities, respectively, and occupied the top spots in 2017 as well, albeit in reversed positions. Cincinnati's median monthly rent cost is $570, one of the most affordable in the nation, and has lower cost of living, 4 percent lower than the national average. Columbus scored well in all metrics, and has a strong 20-something population, as 20 percent of all city residents are aged between 20 and 29.

According to data from the Census Bureau, over 30 percent of Americans over the age of 25 have a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree. That means college graduates looking to get a professional edge need to move to the right cities. Cities that have plenty of jobs, low mortgage costs and a variety of entertainment options are good fits for new college grads. In total we looked at 10 metrics across three categories: jobs, fun and affordability.

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