2025’s Best US Cities for New College Grads

For many recent graduates, the transition from college to career is filled with anticipation, uncertainty, and major life decisions—including where to live. Again in 2025, the upcoming summer season will be a pivotal point for many graduates.

As they take their first steps into the workforce, location can play a critical role in shaping both personal and professional growth. To help grads, and employers, make informed choices, Checkr has compiled a fresh list of the best US cities in 2025 where college graduates can thrive.

This year's rankings reflect a comprehensive analysis of economic and social data across the country, focusing on employment prospects, affordability, and access to vibrant communities. 

Whether you're looking for a bustling city with career momentum or a smaller town with a welcoming vibe and strong job market, this report is designed to highlight the places where recent graduates can launch their next chapter with confidence.

Checkr evaluated cities based on seven key metrics relevant to the 20-27 age group, with each factor thoughtfully weighted to reflect the needs of new professionals. 

Employers, HR professionals, and graduates alike can use this guide to better understand where opportunity meets lifestyle in today’s rapidly evolving job market.

Key Metrics for New College Grads (20-27 years old):

Let’s take a look at the top cities making waves for new college grads in 2025.

Let’s start by looking at the best cities, of all sizes, for new college grads. This year’s overall top cities reflect a diverse mix of small, mid-sized, and large communities, highlighting that opportunity doesn’t just live in major metropolises. 

Many of the top-performing cities are in the Midwest and South, where affordability, access to higher education, and strong job markets intersect. Cities that may be under the radar nationally are proving to be excellent destinations for new graduates launching their careers.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis

At the top of the list is Iowa City, IA—a small city with a powerhouse combination of strong job prospects, low cost of living, and a thriving cultural scene. Home to the University of Iowa, this city offers new grads access to jobs in education, healthcare, publishing, and the arts. Iowa City ranks highly in both employment and social factors, making it an ideal launchpad for young professionals.

Close behind are Lincoln, NE, and Columbia, MO, two mid-sized college towns that are magnets for new grads thanks to their affordability and dynamic economies. Lincoln has become a rising tech hub in the Midwest, with strong job growth in government and finance. Additionally, Columbia offers opportunities in healthcare and media while maintaining a youthful atmosphere thanks to the University of Missouri.

Cape Girardeau, MO and Kalamazoo, MI round out the top five, with each offering exceptional affordability and a wealth of early-career opportunities. Cape Girardeau benefits from a diverse economy rooted in healthcare, education, and logistics, while Kalamazoo stands out for its manufacturing base and thriving arts community.

Other notable cities in the top ten include Grand Forks, ND; Columbus, IN; Oshkosh, WI; Des Moines, IA; and Bloomington, IL—each of which ranks in the top tier for employment and housing affordability, with smaller populations that allow for a more intimate, community-oriented living experience.

Now, let’s take a look at the rankings according to city size.

New college grads often gravitate toward large cities (population of 500,000+) due to the sheer diversity of career opportunities, amenities, and networking potential. 

Large cities offer a wide range of professional opportunities, robust transit networks, and vibrant cultural scenes. These urban centers attract graduates with the promise of upward mobility, abundant networking potential, and lifestyle amenities such as entertainment, nightlife, and public spaces. 

However, these benefits often come with a higher cost of living, making it crucial to find large cities that strike a balance between opportunity and affordability.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis

For those seeking the energy and opportunity of large urban areas, Des Moines, IA stands out as the top-ranked large city for new grads in 2025. Des Moines offers a unique blend of affordability and career potential. With booming insurance and finance sectors and a growing tech scene, it provides excellent upward mobility for recent graduates. 

Beyond its economic strengths, Des Moines offers a vibrant cultural scene and a high quality of life. With a growing population and a welcoming community, Des Moines provides new graduates with not only professional opportunities but also a supportive environment to thrive personally. From its bustling downtown to its numerous parks and recreational activities, Des Moines combines the amenities of a large city with the charm and accessibility that appeal to recent college graduates. 

Fayetteville, AR ranks second, benefiting from the economic presence of Walmart and the University of Arkansas. The city also scores well for cost of living and quality of life. Madison, WI—a consistent favorite—lands in third, with top marks in employment opportunities and a lively downtown culture that keeps grads engaged outside of work.

Omaha, NE and Huntsville, AL round out the top five. Omaha's diversified economy and low unemployment make it a stable option, while Huntsville continues to grow as a hub for engineering and aerospace careers.

Other strong performers include Grand Rapids, MI; Salt Lake City, UT; Indianapolis, IN; Little Rock, AR; and Toledo, OH—cities where job growth and affordability converge with community and culture.

Next up, the best mid-sized cities for new college grads. 

These communities are often overlooked, but they can be hidden gems for new grads who want solid job opportunities without the intensity or high prices of major metropolitan areas. 

Mid-sized cities (populations between 200,000 and 500,000) offer an ideal mix of big-city energy and small-town charm. 

Graduates in these cities benefit from shorter commutes, access to major universities, and a more approachable cost of living.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis

Lincoln, NE is the top-ranked mid-sized city in 2025, thanks to a blend of government, education, and tech jobs, along with an expanding startup ecosystem. The cost of living remains well below the national average. With a low unemployment rate and a cost of living below the national average, Lincoln provides an ideal environment for recent graduates to launch their careers and enjoy a high quality of life. 

Columbia, MO and Kalamazoo, MI hold the next two spots, supported by a high percentage of college-educated residents and a strong supply of early-career jobs in healthcare, education, and manufacturing. 

Sioux Falls, SD has gained attention in recent years for its business-friendly environment and rapid population growth, offering plenty of opportunities for driven young professionals.

Fargo, ND also makes the top five, continuing its reputation as a stable, innovative city with great affordability and a strong presence of higher education institutions. 

The rest of the top 10 includes Evansville, IN; Green Bay, WI; Ann Arbor, MI; Champaign, IL; and Springfield, MO—cities known for supporting young workers through active downtowns, short commutes, and growing job markets.

Next, we’ll dive into the best small cities for new college grads in 2025.

Small cities (under 200,000 population) offer young professionals a unique opportunity to build their careers in tight-knit communities with strong civic engagement and lower living costs. 

These locations often feature vibrant college-town cultures, easy access to outdoor recreation, and job markets bolstered by key local employers. 

For grads looking for meaningful work-life balance and affordability, small cities are a compelling option.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis

Iowa City, IA stands out as the best small city for new college grads in 2025, thanks to its exceptional mix of career opportunities, affordability, and cultural vibrancy. Home to the University of Iowa, the city benefits from a strong academic and healthcare presence that fuels job growth across education, research, and medical fields. Iowa City also boasts a dynamic arts and literary scene, walkable neighborhoods, and a high concentration of young, educated residents—all of which create a welcoming environment for recent graduates. With low unemployment, a high labor force participation rate.

Second-ranked Cape Girardeau, MO combines historic charm with a robust healthcare and education sector, anchored by Southeast Missouri State University. Grand Forks, ND boasts a resilient economy tied to energy, education, and healthcare, while also being known for its safety and quality of life.

Columbus, IN, a city known for its architecture and manufacturing base, offers a wealth of entry-level engineering and design jobs. Oshkosh, WI and Bloomington, IL provide thriving college-town atmospheres and strong job placement rates for recent grads.

The rest of the top 10 includes Mankato, MN; Midland, TX; Lawrence, KS; and Dubuque, IA. These communities are ideal for those who want to avoid high rent and congestion while still enjoying a vibrant lifestyle with access to jobs and recreation.

For more information and detailed rankings, check out the full list of the top 100 best cities for new college grads in 2025 below to learn more about the appealing cities that young workers might consider for their next move.

For more information and detailed rankings, check out the full list of the top 100 best cities for new college grads in 2025 below to learn more about the appealing cities that young workers might consider for their next move.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis

For more information on Check’s research or to request graphics or commentary about this study, please contact press@checkr.com.  

To rank America’s best cities for new college grads (ages 20-27), Checkr analyzed seven key factors from the US Census Bureau and& Bureau of Economic Analysis. The factors include new college grads' unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, income-to-rent ratio, percentage of renters paying <30% of income in rent, real personal income, new college grad portion of the population, and new college grad members per entertainment establishment. Each factor was weighted appropriately by Checkr and scaled, resulting in the final rankings of the best cities in the country for new college grads in 2025.

About the author

As Director of Communications, David tells the story of Checkr’s innovative product offerings and company achievements. David has successfully developed beloved brands through public relations at Fastly, Productboard, Ripple, and Dropbox.