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Best 10 cities for recent college graduates

Finding a job after college is imperative for many college seniors and some cities offer more career opportunities than others. As we approach graduation season, NerdWallet crunched the numbers to find the best cities in the US for recent college graduates. Can you guess which city came out on top? 

1. Washington

Evan Vucci/AP/File
This Oct. 15, 2013, photo, shows a view of the U.S. Capitol building at dusk in Washington.

  • By Sreekar Jasthi Guest blogger

Population between 20-29: 21.3 percent

Population 25 or older with a Bachelor's degree: 23 percent

Median earnings for Bachelor's degree holders: $60,104

Cost of living index: 140.1

Workers with management, business, science or arts jobs: 59.9 percent

 Unemployment rate: 5.1 percent

Overall score: 76.03

Of the 50 largest cities in the U.S., Washington, D.C. has the greatest percentage of residents working in management, business, science or arts. The cost of living in the nation’s capital is higher than in most other places, but the high median earnings for college grads and relatively low unemployment rate are reasons why D.C. continues to be a popular destination for those fresh out of college. The high number of government opportunities also ensures that the job market in Washington, D.C. is relatively more immune to economic recessions than in other parts of the country.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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