Smaller US Metro Areas Outperform in Jobs for New Grads

Raleigh, North Carolina, topped the list again with high job opportunity scores, affordable living costs, and a strong hiring track record.
Smaller US Metro Areas Outperform in Jobs for New Grads
This file photo shows the urban downtown core of Raleigh, N.C. Shutterstock
Mary Prenon
Mary Prenon
Freelance Reporter
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With the summer vacation season winding down, many new college graduates are now facing the prospect of securing their first full-time job—and just where to look for that can often be overwhelming. However, a newly released report from ADP Research could help to narrow down the search.

Utilizing data from ADP payroll, the report analyzed 27,000 employers in 55 U.S. metropolitan areas with a population of at least one million. Ranking locations by annual wages, hiring rates, and affordability, Raleigh, North Carolina, claimed the top spot for the second year in a row.

Mary Prenon
Mary Prenon
Freelance Reporter
Mary T. Prenon covers real estate and business. She has been a writer and reporter for over 25 years with various print and broadcast media in New York.