The U.S. cities that are easiest for young graduates to find good jobs have been revealed. Four of the top five cities are in the South.
Although the unemployment rate is low at 4.1 percent, with 6.8 million unemployed from July 5thThere are still promising spots for young recruits in some states.
Raleigh tops the list of best jobs for starters, and the cost of living is more affordable than the hustle and bustle of the big city.
The capital of North Carolina was followed by Austin, Texas;Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; and Charlotte, NC are among the top five cities for recent college graduates.
Researchers from payroll provider ADP compared wages in 55 US metropolitan areas against the area’s affordability and the rate at which people with college degrees are hired.
Raleigh, North Carolina, topped the list for the best starter jobs, combined with a cost of living that’s easier on the wallet than the hustle and bustle of the big city.
In second place is Austin. Compared to other major cities, the Texas capital has a low cost of living and is home to major corporate hubs such as the Apple campus (pictured)
Home to tech giants like IBM and Red Hat, Raleigh is bursting with IT and technology opportunities.
It is also part of the so-called Research Triangle, named after three colleges in the region: Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.
Major employers such as Gilead Sciences, Cisco Systems and MetLife have also recently opened locations in Raleigh, company officials told the Wall Street Journal.
In second place is Austin. Compared to other major cities, the capital of Texas has a relatively low cost of living.
The average monthly rent in Austin is just $1,480, according to Redfin — compared to $4,726 in New York City and $2,754 in Los Angeles. The average rent in Raleigh is also relatively low, at $1,438 per month.
Austin is the live music capital of the world, and has a thriving tech scene thanks to companies like Apple, Dell, and Oracle. It is also a haven for young professionals.
Ranked third in the ADP rankings is Baltimore, where a slew of new restaurants and businesses are opening, offering many entry-level positions for college graduates.
The city ranked highest for college graduates, Raleigh, NC, is also part of the so-called Research Triangle, named after three colleges in the area: Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.
Coming in second place for graduate career opportunities is Austin, Texas. Compared to other major cities, the Texas capital has a relatively low cost of living.
Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins University and its affiliated medical institutions are constantly looking for new talent, and startups are flourishing in this historic city.
Atlanta, the state capital, ranks fourth and offers plenty of job opportunities, with a thriving film industry, a growing technology sector and major companies like Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines.
The city has focused on creating new careers this year, with the Metro Atlanta Chamber launching a campaign in the spring targeting professionals under 40 to promote diverse career opportunities.
In fifth place in the ADP rankings is another metropolis from North Carolina.
Tech companies in the city of Charlotte are busy recruiting staff, while Bank of America told the Wall Street Journal that bosses are focusing on recruiting students from out of state.