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In the US, more people than ever are pursuing higher education. Over the previous 15 years, the percentage of adults with a postsecondary degree increased from 36.5 percent to 45.7 percent, according to data from the National Center for Educational Statistics. In the 2016–17 academic year, more than 1.9 million bachelor's degrees were awarded, a 57% increase from 2000–2001.

Even while rural residents' overall educational attainment has greatly increased, higher education is still concentrated in urban regions. Not only do American towns promote education among their citizens, but they also draw international students to their institutions and post-graduation employment in American businesses.

Thankfully, there has never been a better moment to join the workforce. The young adults of today, known as Generation Z, are joining the workforce during the longest stretch of economic expansion in American history, in contrast to members of the millennial generation, who completed college for the most part during the worst of the Great Recession. It's a job seeker's market for recent college grads.

Top 8 Best Cities For Fresh Graduates in the US
Top 8 Best Cities For Fresh Graduates In The US

Top 8 Best Cities For Fresh Graduates In The US

1. Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Metro

Unemployment rate: 0.5%

Income for bachelor's degree holders: $61,016

Basic costs for a single adult: $32,760

Residents aged 20-29: 16.1%

Restaurants per capita: 0.00144

Bars per capita: 0.00050

Entertainment venues per capita: 0.00049

Due in part to its exceptionally low unemployment rate of 0.5% and reasonably affordable cost of living—$32,760 per year for basic needs and taxes for an adult single—the Oshkosh-Neenah metro area comes in first place. Socially, there are many bars and 16.1% of the population is in their 20s.

2. Lawrence, KS Metro

Top 8 Best Cities For Fresh Graduates in the US

Unemployment rate: 1.0%

Income for bachelor's degree holders: $53,714

Basic costs for a single adult: $33,363

Residents aged 20-29: 24.9%

Restaurants per capita: 0.00195

Bars per capita: 0.00026

Entertainment venues per capita: 0.00038

The University of Kansas, a prestigious research university with over 400 degree programs and certificates as well as a well-regarded athletics program, is the reason Lawrence is well-known. However, did you know that Haskell Indian Nations University, which provides education to American Indian and Alaska Native people nationwide, is also located there?

When you're not studying hard at either school or supporting the Jayhawks during a KU basketball match, you may take advantage of Lawrence's thriving arts scene and numerous live music venues.

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3. College Station-Bryan, TX Metro

Unemployment rate: 0.7%

Income for bachelor's degree holders: $58,476

Basic costs for a single adult: $32,968

Residents aged 20-29: 24.8%

Restaurants per capita: 0.00160

Bars per capita: 0.00013

Entertainment venues per capita: 0.00032

According to a recent ranking, College Station is the tenth-best city in the country for college students.

WalletHub ranked the cities on its list based on an analysis of more than 400 American cities' academic, social, and economic prospects for students.

The ranking also took into account the cost of living, the standard of higher education, the rate of crime, and whether or not the city has a lively social scene.

College Station was the only Texas city to rank among the "small cities," coming in at number six.

4. Grand Forks, ND-MN Metro

Top 8 Best Cities For Fresh Graduates in the US

Unemployment rate: 0.9%

Income for bachelor's degree holders: $52,240

Basic costs for a single adult: $31,138

Residents aged 20-29: 19.3%

Restaurants per capita: 0.00159

Bars per capita: 0.00038

Entertainment venues per capita: 0.00059

According to a website dedicated to higher education, Grand Forks is the second best small city for recent graduates.

On a list compiled by OnlineDegrees.com, which ranked 413 places with a population of less than 150,000 using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the home of UND came in second only to Odessa, Texas.

Grand Forks finished second on the top 15 list the previous year as well. According to a news release, the website selected the city because "it has the highest percentage of residents in the about-to-graduate or just-out-of-college age range."

"The city also features lots of entertainment options for its young demographic with a hockey rink, auto racing tracks, museums and more," according to the website.

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5. Eau Claire, WI Metro

Unemployment rate: 1.7%

Income for bachelor's degree holders: $60,980

Basic costs for a single adult: $31,595

Residents aged 20-29: 15.4%

Restaurants per capita: 0.00164

Bars per capita: 0.00056

Entertainment venues per capita: 0.00050

Eau Claire is one of the top 25 locations in the nation for college students to live well on a tight budget, according to a recent national study. "Eau Claire is a lovely and reasonably priced community to live in during your college years," says Billy Felz, UW-Eau Claire's acting vice chancellor for enrollment management. "Blugolds enjoy the many free options available to them here, such as the parks on and around campus and the miles of recreational trails for bicycling and hiking."

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6. Ocean City, NJ Metro

Top 8 Best Cities For Fresh Graduates in the US

Unemployment rate: 2.1%

Income for bachelor's degree holders: $63,550

Basic costs for a single adult: $36,150

Residents aged 20-29: 9.3%

Restaurants per capita: 0.00638

Bars per capita: 0.00021

Entertainment venues per capita: 0.00145

Looking for something to do after college? The greatest area is the Ocean City, NJ metro area. In terms of college graduates, the Ocean City, NJ metro area came in sixth place overall. It boasts the highest number of restaurants per inhabitant and ranks second only to Los Angeles in terms of entertainment outlets.

7. Iowa City, IA Metro

Unemployment rate: 0.6%

Income for bachelor's degree holders: $57,449

Basic costs for a single adult: $34,549

Residents aged 20-29: 22.9%

Restaurants per capita: 0.00196

Bars per capita: 0.00020

Entertainment venues per capita: 0.00046

Because of its educated and diversified population, Iowa City, which is located on both banks of the Iowa River, is ranked sixth among our college towns. The fact that more than half of the people in this well-known college town are BA holders is not surprising. The University of Iowa campus is responsible for the place's youthful, artistic ambiance. Off-campus students can enjoy excellent museums of natural history and art as well as a bustling nightlife. Even while rent can take up a significant portion of the budget, graduates find that their job searches are shortened by the city's exceptionally low unemployment rate and advantageous labor market conditions.

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8. Fargo, ND-MN Metro

Unemployment rate: 0.9%

Income for bachelor's degree holders: $61,108

Basic costs for a single adult: $31,013

Residents aged 20-29: 18.5%

Restaurants per capita: 0.00152

Bars per capita: 0.00024

Entertainment venues per capita: 0.00057

Fargo, North Dakota, the center of one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas, offers recent college graduates a thriving employment market, reasonably priced housing, and amenities for an active lifestyle. It's regarded as one of the safest areas in the country to live. The extreme cold and a lot of snow may make outdoor winter activities impossible, but the city's vibrant entertainment scene frequently astounds visitors. Additionally, locals make full use of the numerous parks, trails, and golf courses in the neighborhood during the warmer months.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that between April 2010 and July 2013, the population of the Fargo-Moorhead area increased by 7%. This is partly because of rising employment and steady living expenses that are in line with the national average. Fargo has a well-balanced economy because to a broad business base that includes manufacturing, financial services, technology, and health care. Compared to other regions of the nation, Fargo offers high earnings for about 80% of its jobs, which are classified as non-service occupations. In Fargo, the unemployment rate for those between the ages of 25 and 34 is 3.5%.

In summary

Even while rural residents' overall educational attainment has greatly increased, higher education is still concentrated in urban regions. Not only do American towns promote education among their citizens, but they also draw international students to their institutions and post-graduation employment in American businesses.

Thankfully, there has never been a better moment to join the workforce. The young adults of today, known as Generation Z, are joining the workforce during the longest stretch of economic expansion in American history, in contrast to members of the millennial generation, who completed college for the most part during the worst of the Great Recession. It's a job seeker's market for recent college grads.

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