By Suzanne Blake
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One of the most important decisions you'll make after graduating from college is where you live.
Gen Z graduates are considering many factors when it comes to their city destinations after graduation, and cost of living, job opportunities and social life are all top influences.
A new report from Checkr, which specializes in background checks, analyzed data to name the top cities for college graduates in 2024 based on employment trends, affordability and social aspects. Checkr also factored in things like the income-to-rent ratio and the percentage of renters paying more than 30 percent of their income in rent as well as the number of college graduates as a portion of the overall population.
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The top 25 cities, according to the Checkr analysis:
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Iowa City, Iowa
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- California, Maryland
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Ames, Iowa
- Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Elkhart, Indiana
- Waterloo, Iowa
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Bismarck, North Dakota
- Midland, Texas
- Columbia, Missouri
- Champaign, Illinois
- Jefferson City, Missouri
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Florence, Alabama
- Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Mankato, Minnesota
- Durham, North Carolina
- Bloomington, Illinois
The top spot went to Fargo, North Dakota, for its "impressive combination of affordability (fourth) and employment factors (sixth), making it a great choice for young professionals in the workforce," the report found. The city also boasts a lively art scene and entrepreneurial energy along with tons of outdoor recreational activities.
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But plenty of other Midwestern cities made the list, including several in Iowa and North Dakota. While the areas might not have the best winter weather, the Checkr report found their employment trends to be on track for new college graduates trying to make the most of their careers.
According to Pamela Skillings, president and chief coach of Big Interview, despite some of the top cities' relatively small sizes, Gen Z tends to be open to moving to new cities without established networks in place.
"This is partly due to frustration over the high cost of living and fierce competition for jobs in large metropolitan areas," Skillings told Newsweek. "However, a lot depends on what industries and companies are based in that city and the opportunities that they offer. If companies want to attract the best Gen Z talent to pack up and move to a new city, they should offer a great employee experience."
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That can go beyond job security and a long-term career path and go back to the community available in the city.
"I know some companies do a great job with this, building an office campus and providing support for new transplants to make friends and feel at home in the new city," Skillings said. "The culture and cost of living and other factors are also important, but when you're moving for career opportunities, you need to feel certain the potential for success is there."
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Jennifer Magas, a professor with a research focus on Gen Z at Texas Tech University and the vice president of Magas Media Consultants, echoed Skillings' statements, indicating that Gen Z is more frequently ditching the traditional big cities and setting up home in the Midwest.
"Are they saving America's heartland or just avoiding the real world?" Magas told Newsweek.
Madison, Wisconsin, was one of the larger cities that made the list, which Magas attributes to its "excellent employment opportunities and affordability, with the added benefit of a lively social scene thanks to the University of Wisconsin."
"Are Gen Z-ers turning their backs on Silicon Valley for a simpler life in places like Madison? The influx of younger residents could enhance local communities with fresh perspectives and increased diversity, fostering environments that are both dynamic and resilient," Magas said.
Magas added that if more young people move to these cities, significant economic growth should be expected, prompting further innovation.
Still, Alan Chang, founder and president of Vested Title & Escrow, cautioned others from believing Midwestern cities are the next great frontier for careers.
"I still think that the more popular cities with larger companies and more jobs, depending on the business types, will still be attractive to college recent grads," Chang told Newsweek. "For folks looking for tech or financial services, they will still be hard pressed to find those types of jobs in up-and-coming markets, especially as remote work loses its novelty with employers."
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