Raleigh, Baltimore Named Best Cities for College Grads

For recent US college graduates in search of the ideal place to launch their careers, gravitating toward big cities offering flashy salaries might seem like a no-brainer.

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But increasingly, job seekers are finding those areas overcrowded and lacking entry-level opportunities. Many workers are staying in their jobs for longer, and others aren't getting promoted, leaving college grads at a disadvantage when looking for open roles. Recent jobs data, including declining vacancies and higher weekly jobless claims, underscore cooler-yet-resilient labor demand.

Smaller cities might offer more promise, a recent ADP report found.

“It isn't surprising to see a shift away from normal tech hubs. Economists have been talking about this for the last 10 years,” said Ben Hanowell, the director of people analytics research at ADP Research Institute and co-author of the report. “People are reticent to leave their current roles because they don't know if the grass is greener on the other side.”

Read more about how to find the best city for you here.

Readers: What was the first city you lived in after college? Share your comments below.

Quick Hits

• Nearly one-quarter of all US office space will be vacant by 2026 as working from home persists.
• The first US presidential debate kicked off another contentious election cycle that is likely to bring politics into the workplace, igniting conflict and derailing productivity.
• Bosses are increasingly demanding that workers get back to the office. But mass transit isn’t cooperating.
• Of firms using AI since early 2022 in the Richmond region, 45% said they were automating tasks to reduce staffing and labor costs.

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