If you’re an upcoming or recent college grad ready to launch your career, the city you live in could make a big difference in your pay and possible career advancement. Bankrate ranked the 100 largest cities in the US with strong economies to tell you which ones are the best bet for your career growth.
Some cities are more supportive of certain careers than others, depending on the career, so this is just a general study. However, Bankrate looked into each city’s employment rates for occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or have a clear path to advancement, including careers in STEM, education, public services, and management.
In addition to job prospects, pay potential, and career advancement, Bankrate also considered social opportunities (good for networking) and quality of life (including housing affordability, cost of living, crime rate, and access to bars and restaurants)—so the cities chosen aren’t just about career growth but also living a pleasant life with the amenities college grads might be looking for most.
The top 10 on the list: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, San Jose, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, and Philadelphia. The bottom 10? Columbia SC, Roanoke, Greensboro, Shreveport, Fort Walton Beach, Knoxville, Montgomery, Jacskcon, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Mobile, and Fayetteville.
You can read more about the methodology here or check out the ranking of the 100 metropolitan areas at the link below.
Best cities to start a career | Bankrate