Key Takeaways
- Atlanta, GA, ranks #1 for large cities by combining strong graduate jobs, stable price levels, and cultural vitality despite slight drops in education and insurance coverage.
- Sunnyvale, CA; St. Louis; and Durham, NC climbed significantly in our ranking by boosting graduates and median income.
- Washington, D.C. surged five positions, propelled by a significant increases in graduate incomes.
- Durham, NC, recorded the largest score increase with gains in graduate jobs, income, and health insurance.
- Strong gains in bachelor’s degree attainment and graduate employment rates were seen in smaller college towns like Cambridge, MA, and Ann Arbor, MI.
From skyline giants to rising regional stars, each U.S. city offers its own distinct mix of opportunity, ambition and lifestyle. So, for the class of 2025, the question isn’t just what to do next, it’s where to begin. As this year’s grads step into the workforce, they’re entering a job market transformed by innovation, shifting priorities and new pathways to success. Some will chase momentum in big cities where industries never sleep, whereas others may find their future in mid-sized or small cities where growth is accelerating and the community feels closer. The landscape is wide open — and, more than ever, where you start can shape where you go.
CoworkingCafe continues this series to explore some of the top U.S. cities where first-time job seekers can find not only career growth, but also an environment that supports their ambitions. Below, we’ll dive into the factors that make these cities stand out, such as employment opportunities, day-to-day costs and lifestyle offerings to helping the grads of ‘25 navigate their first steps into the professional world. Compared to 2024 and 2023, when cities like San Francisco and Washington, D.C. were dominating the rankings, this year sees a shift toward mid-sized cities and emerging tech hubs that offer more affordable living while still providing strong career opportunities.
With so many factors at play, choosing the right city isn’t always straightforward. That’s why we’ve broken down key insights and trends to guide this decision-making process. Whether it’s access to coworking spaces, strong local economies or vibrant social scenes, the cities featured here offer a solid foundation for the next generation of professionals. Let’s take a closer look at where the class of 2025 can start this exciting journey.
Beyond the Skyline: D.C. Climbs Ranks With Nation-Leading Income Jump
Big cities (+400K population) remain a strong draw for recent college graduates, by offering higher salaries, broad job markets and the energy that drives ambition. Yet, competition is fierce as many pursue these opportunities. Accordingly, this year’s top 10 list shows new entrants, some shifts in rankings and a diverse geographic spread with the East and West coasts still dominant.
Atlanta claims the top spot in 2025 while losing less than a single point compared to last year to overtake San Francisco. However, the city saw a modest but noticeable decline in the share of young adults holding bachelor’s degrees and a bigger drop in those covered by employer health insurance, which could affect overall workforce qualifications and benefits accessibility. Despite these dips, Atlanta remains competitive due to relatively stable affordability level metrics (less than 1% above the national average). Atlanta’s appeal is further enhanced by its dynamic cultural scene and economic vitality.
In contrast, Washington, D.C. made the biggest upward movement, climbing from #7 to #2. In fact, this city has one of the highest percentages of bachelor’s degree-holders in the 18 to 34 age group (63%). It also saw the largest jump in median income for those with a bachelor’s degree — almost $12,000 more than last year to reach $95,628. Although D.C. still contends with higher regional costs, its robust economic indicators — like high graduate job concentration and strong health insurance coverage — contribute to its surge. That said, recent federal budget cuts have led to a 17% drop in job postings in Washington, D.C. with some affecting fields like management and administrative assistance. This shift in federal employment opportunities could subtly influence the job market dynamics for new graduates seeking work in the capital.
On the opposite coast, San Francisco — historically a top hub for tech and knowledge workers — slipped from the #1 spot to fourth place in the latest ranking, but nevertheless maintains an exceptional educational profile with 72% of its 18 to 34-year-olds holding a bachelor’s degree (the highest among the large cities analyzed). The median income for bachelor’s degree-holders remains outstanding, hovering around $106,552, which is significantly above the national average and underscores the premium paid for talent in this market. Likewise, prices remain 18% above the national average, indicating that the high wages are balanced by steep living costs.
Meanwhile, unemployment rates for the 20 to 29 age group remain low and stable, suggesting that job opportunities for young graduates are still strong despite the slight dip in graduate job share. Additionally, the high employer-based health insurance coverage of 79% reflects robust benefits offerings in the region.
In the Midwest, Minneapolis holds steady with gains in education and employer-based health insurance reflecting a balanced mix of affordability, economic stability and upward mobility. Specifically, the city’s tech sector is experiencing significant growth with a projected 20% increase in tech roles by 2025.
Next, Boston, with its strong graduate job concentration of 7% (the highest among the top 10 large cities), is ranked eighth in 2025. Showing consistent performance with a modest increase of more than two points compared to 2024, the city boasts a healthy 58% share of bachelor’s degree-holders among 18 to 34-year-olds. Boston also offers a solid median income of roughly $82,200 for those with a bachelor’s degree. Clearly, the city’s profile reflects a competitive, education-driven job market that’s ideal for young professionals seeking high-skill roles — though at a premium expense level.
In contrast, Kansas City, MO, ranked 10th, is more affordable, but trails in several key indicators. While it gained 2.35 points year-over-year, its bachelor’s degree attainment rate (39%) is among the lowest in the top 10. Even so, its relatively low living expenses combined with expanding amenities position Kansas City as an increasingly attractive and affordable option for young professionals. While its college education rate and graduate-level job availability may lag behind some higher-ranked cities, KC’s strong upward momentum and cost advantages make it a compelling choice among the top 10 U.S. cities by offering a balanced environment for career growth and quality of life.
Emerging Graduate Hotspots: St. Louis’ Leap & Arlington’s Stability
Beyond the big-city skylines and crowded job markets, mid-sized cities (150K-400K population) are emerging as ideal spots for recent graduates. These cities offer a strong balance of career growth and livability. Our research highlights standout communities that show you don’t need a massive population to build a meaningful career — just the right mix of ambition, access and space to grow.
Arlington, VA, remains at the top for 2025 despite a minor point drop. Although its unemployment rate among 20 to 29-year-olds rose slightly and affordability remains a concern (as reflected in a high regional affordability metric of 108.6), Arlington still outperforms most cities in overall job quality. Plus, its median income for graduates remains among the highest at more than $101,000 and minor year-over-year dips in employer-based insurance (-1.2%) and education levels (-0.6%) haven’t shaken its strong position. So, with continued access to high-quality jobs and top-tier earnings, this city maintains its lead as a career launchpad for young professionals.
Across the country, Sunnyvale, CA, offers perhaps the most surprising rise after soaring from 15th to second place thanks to a staggering $28,803 boost in median income, which is now the highest among all top cities at $132,150. This surge reflects the city’s deepening role in the evolving tech economy. While entry-level hiring in the tech sector has shifted with companies increasingly favoring professionals who can hit the ground running, this also opens up new pathways for graduates who bring specialized skills, internships or project-based experience. Accordingly, for those ready to meet the moment, Sunnyvale offers unmatched earning potential and a gateway to cutting-edge industries.
Moreover, this city also stands out for its very high degree attainment (71%) and strong job market. But, it also has the highest cost of living and having recorded a relatively sharp drop in unemployment (-4.7%), indicating a robust job absorption and economic strength. The city’s modest gains in coworking spaces and leisure establishments suggest a tech-heavy environment prioritizing income and job opportunities, although lifestyle accessibility may lag.
Next, St. Louis, MO has made a major leap in this year’s ranking by climbing from ninth to third place. This jump is largely due to a 10-percentage-point rise in bachelor’s degree attainment among young adults, which is now at 53%. Paired with a notable, more than $6,700 increase in median income for graduates, this signals both educational and economic momentum in the region. The Gateway City also posted a slight decline in youth unemployment, reflecting improvement in early-career job access. At the same time, it gained 44 new leisure establishments per 100,000 residents and saw growth in its coworking infrastructure — both of which are indicators of a more dynamic urban environment for young professionals.
An interesting mention is Cary, NC, which stands out for its remarkable rise in median income — increasing by more than $12,000 compared to the previous year. What’s more, the city boasts an exceptionally low unemployment rate of just 2%, which highlights a stable local economy and strong job market conditions that support its overall appeal to young professionals. Even so, the city moved from seventh to 10th place, mostly due to an 8.3% drop in educational attainment and a decline of more than 4% in employer-based insurance. Cary also expanded its lifestyle infrastructure (adding 22 leisure establishments), thereby balancing its weaker education and health insurance coverage with gains in economic and cultural offerings. In any case, it still presents good value, especially for those who already have credentials.
Back out west, Bellevue, WA, held steady in the top five. But, despite strong educational levels (73%) and a good graduate job market, it saw a nearly $4,500 drop in median income and a significant 5% decrease in employer-based health insurance, as well as a relatively high cost of living benchmark.
Meanwhile, Durham, NC, recorded the largest overall score increase among the top 10 mid-sized cities. This surge was driven by a notable uptick in graduate-level job opportunities; a strong gain in median income for young degree holders (up almost $7,800); and improved access to employer-based health insurance, which rose by 3.6%. Together, these trends suggest a growing professional landscape and enhanced economic stability for recent graduates.
Why Cambridge & Santa Clara Are Winning Grad Destinations
As the class of 2025 looks to enter the workforce, several smaller U.S. cities (<150K population) are becoming top destinations for graduates. That’s because these cities offer attractive salaries, thriving job markets, and strong quality-of-life indicators that combine affordability with career growth.
Cambridge, MA, is a standout with 68% of its 18 to 34-year-olds holding bachelor’s degrees. Here, a low unemployment rate of 3% and a median income for bachelor’s degree-holders of $71,968 means that Cambridge offers graduates a wealth of opportunity, particularly in academic, research and tech. Additionally, a rise in coworking spaces and leisure establishments provides the perfect mix for a balanced lifestyle.
Ann Arbor, MI, closely follows with a strong academic presence, fueled by the University of Michigan. With 46% of its residents holding a bachelor’s degree and a steady unemployment rate of 4%, Ann Arbor offers graduates a median income of just over $57,000, as well as growing coworking spaces and a supportive local community.
Similarly, in Stamford, CT, bachelor’s degree-holders earn a median income of nearly $81,900. Clearly, this reflects the city’s position as a business hub, though its high living expenses is a factor to consider. Otherwise, Santa Clara, CA, with its proximity to Silicon Valley, continues to attract tech talent with 68% of its residents holding a bachelor’s degree and a $120,700 median income. Despite a slight decrease in overall scores, it remains a key destination for graduates pursuing high-paying roles in technology.
Finally, cities like Springfield, IL, and Albany, NY, stand out for their affordability. In particular, Springfield offers graduates an income of $54,000 and a growing number of coworking spaces, while Albany, with its rich educational institutions, offers a median income north of $56,400 and a 40% bachelor’s degree attainment rate, making both cities attractive alternatives for graduates seeking affordable living without sacrificing career prospects.
Methodology
For this analysis, CoworkingCafe relied on information from the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) and County Business Patterns (CBP) reports by the U.S. Census Bureau, along with additional data points from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Coworking space market data was provided by SSI.
Metrics were selected based on their potential influence on career prospects and quality of life of recent college graduates. Metrics were then assigned a weight based on their importance in determining the overall attractiveness of a city. The base categories, underlying metrics and their weights in the final score were as follows:
Employment category
- Population With Bachelor’s Degree (15%) – Percentage of population aged 18 to 34 with a bachelor’s degree or higher (Source: Census 2023)
- Jobs for Recent Graduates (15%) – Share of employed population currently working in a job requiring a bachelor’s degree and a considerable amount of work-related skill and knowledge, but no more than one year of experience (Source: BLS 2024/BLS 2023 for state of Colorado)
- Unemployment Rate (10%) – Unemployment rate within the local population aged 20 to 29 (Source: Census 2023)
Financial category
- Median Graduate Income (15%) – Median annual earnings of the local population aged 25 and older holding a bachelor’s degree (Source: Census 2023)
- Regional Price Parity (15%) – Price index, expressed as a percentage of the overall national price level (Source: BEA 2023)
- Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage (10%) – Percentage of population aged 19 to 34 with employer-based health insurance (Source: Census 2023)
Lifestyle category
- Leisure Establishments Density (15%) – Number of restaurants, bars, entertainment/ leisure establishments per 100,000 residents (Source: CBP 2022)
- Coworking Space Density (5%) – Number of coworking spaces per 100,000 residents (Source: SSI April 2025)
Cities were ranked based on their total scores, with higher scores indicating better overall prospects for college graduates. This means there were three top-performer cities for each metric, one from each population bracket.
Scores and rankings indicate a city’s performance as compared to other cities within the same population bracket and are not comparable across different groups.
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