For the second year in a row, Raleigh, N.C., tops the list of best U.S. cities for recent college graduates thanks to its job opportunities, comparatively affordable cost of living and strong hiring, according to a study from payroll provider ADP.
ADP analyzed payroll data from more than 140,000 Americans ages 20 to 29 working at over 27,000 companies across the U.S. They then ranked 55 metro areas with at least one million residents based on hiring rates, average annual wages and affordability-adjusted wages.
Here are the 5 best cities for new graduates, according to ADP:
1. Raleigh, N.C.
Raleigh’s downtown skyline is seen from The Dillion’s ninth floor lobby terrace open to the public January 02, 2019 in Raleigh, N.C. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Home to the Research Triangle, Raleigh continues to attract talent with its thriving tech industry and proximity to major universities, including Duke and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Annual wage: $55,580
- Affordability-adjusted wage: $56,721
- Hiring rate: Not specified
2. Milwaukee
The Milwaukee city skyline is seen on April 7, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
The Milwaukee region rose to second place, thanks to a jump in its hiring rate from 2.3 percent to 3.7 percent.
- Annual wage: $49,208
- Affordability-adjusted wage: $51,508
- Hiring rate: 3.7 percent
3. Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland Inner Harbor skyline. (Photo by: Robert Knopes/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Though it dropped one spot from last year, Baltimore remains a strong market for new grads.
- Annual wage: $52,267
- Affordability-adjusted wage: $50,907
- Hiring rate: 3.5 percent
4. Austin, Texas
General view of atmosphere during the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival at Auditorium Shores on November 05, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)
Austin slipped from the No. 3 spot but still ranks high with solid wages and job prospects.
- Annual wage: $58,404
- Affordability-adjusted wage: $59,828
- Hiring rate: 2.8 percent
5. Birmingham, Ala.
A pond reflection view of Birmingham skyline in Alabama. (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Birmingham made a big leap from No. 20 in 2024 to the top 5, thanks to affordability and rising job opportunities.
- Annual wage: $50,786
- Affordability-adjusted wage: $54,863
- Hiring rate: 2.8 percent
5. Denver
Sunset on the Denver skyline looking west towards the Rocky Mountains. (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Denver also entered the top 5 this year, moving up from No. 11 in 2024.
- Annual wage: $59,094
- Affordability-adjusted wage: $56,018
- Hiring rate: 2.7 percent
Meanwhile, Atlanta, which ranked higher in 2024, dropped due to a decline in its hiring rate to 2.2 percent.
ADP’s 5 worst cities for new grads in 2025:
- Portland, Oregon
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Riverside, California
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
These cities ranked lowest based on limited job growth, lower wages, and higher living costs relative to earnings.
