Welcome Grads
Where should new college grads settle down? Dallas, of course.
Not a surprise: Young professionals love Dallas. It's not just the varied nightlife and artsy vibe that attracts recent grads but Dallas' healthy job prospects and low cost of living.
All of this is reinforced by a new report that names Dallas the No. 7 best big city for new grads. For the study, OnlineDegrees.com ranked 40 U.S. cities on eight factors: median rent, renter-occupied housing, percent of the population between ages 20 and 34, median earnings, cost of living, arts and entertainment options, state-level job growth, and unemployment.
Big D is home to several major corporations and also boasts the biggest arts district in the nation. Its cost of living and unemployment rate are pretty solid too. Local bachelor's degree holders can expect to earn a median income of $54,520, while job growth statewide is projected to grow 21.5 percent between 2012-2022.
Austin comes in at No. 1, with Houston (No. 3) and San Antonio (No. 5) also scoring high marks. Austin has the lowest unemployment rate, and Houston boasts more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any other city in the U.S. except New York. San Antonio gets a nod for being the second-most affordable place to live in terms of cost of living and for having the third-lowest unemployment rate on the list.
California also shows well, with San Francisco, San Diego, and San Jose all making the top 10.