Midwest Best for Grads

New analysis of the biggest U.S. cities tracks employment, affordability, and fun for recent college graduates looking to lay down roots. The ranking's metrics include cost of living, median rent prices, and Yelp ratings.

The Midwest eclipsed both coasts in the SmartAsset ranking, taking five of the top 10 cities, while only two of the top 25 cities in the overall study are on either of the two coasts. The coasts do have nine of the top 10 cities when it comes to most jobs available based on listings. California was found to be one of the worst states for recent grads, with only one city in the top 25, and 11 of the bottom 25 cities in the study. Cost of living expenses are approximately 40 percent higher than the national average.

Once you’ve put in the work to get a degree, you’ve got a big decision ahead of you: Where to start your career? For those who have the ability to relocate, choosing the right city can make a big difference. Some likely considerations are the cost of living and the strength of the job market. After all, you need to save enough to help you pay off those student loans. You probably also want to live in a place with people your age and things to do. We considered all of these factors and more to create this list of the best cities for new college grads.

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