Top 15 Best Cities For Recent College Graduates [INFOGRAPHIC]

by Brittany Troyer on May 29, 2012

This summer is a huge transitioning period for many college graduates. As their college years come to an end and the days of celebration cease, they are faced with life-changing decisions – “Where do I work and where do I live?”

According to a study conducted by CareerBuilder, 54 percent of employers plan to hire recent college graduates (up from 46 percent just last year). Although more than half of employers are looking to hire recent college grads, the competition is still fierce – making it even more important for job seekers to evaluate their options on a broad spectrum.

There are numerous considerations to take into account during the job search. To help make the most out of your decision, Apartments.com and CareerBuilder have compiled the “Top 15 Best Cities for Recent College Graduates” for the fifth year. The list identifies the cities offering the best overall opportunity in regards to specific employment industries and the average cost of living for a one-bedroom apartment.

Apartments.com and CareerBuilder put together the infographic below listing the “Top 10 Best Cities for New College Graduates” based on the measurements of job opportunity, average salary and, rent. They also took note of the most popular apartment amenities to keep in mind when figuring out your next steps.

Not Listed on Infographic:

11. Denver – $1,089

12. Salt Lake City – $772

13. San Francisco – $1,653

14. Seattle – $1,199

15. Oklahoma City, OK – $676

The current state of our economy is no secret. By considering the job and housing markets in your next big decision, you will be sure to set yourself up for the most rewarding opportunity.

“When starting out, it can be tempting to focus on only one aspect of a city,” said Tammy Kotula, public relations and promotions manager for Apartments.com. “However, it’s important to carefully evaluate a variety of options before choosing where to settle down.”

Is relocation an option for you? Do you find these rankings helpful? Share with us your comments below. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/Sh34k4 Yasheaka Oakley

    I’m a little surprised at these apartment averages. I live in the PHL Metro area and have seen apartments as low as $525 that included water & heat, but none of the basic amenities listed. Guess it just depends on how far into the city they surveyed.

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