Cincinnati tops the list of best places for recent college graduates
‘The country is discovering out what we have already known,’ says UC administrator
Many recent college graduates are choosing cities to call home after receiving that freshly-minted degree. Cincinnati has consistently been ranked by data analysts as a top destination for these eager new workers.
Financial website SmartAsset released a ranking with seven out of the 10 cities located in Midwest. The Queen City was No. 1 in that ranking. Three categories — jobs, affordability and fun — help drive the decision to pick that first place out of college. The score also considers the number of dining and entertainment establishments along with bar and restaurant reviews and how much of the population is in their 20s.
It’s no surprise at the University of Cincinnati that the Queen City has a top ranking.
“It is great that the country is discovering what we have already known: Cincinnati is a terrific place to learn, live, work and play,” says Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management at UC.
One of the realities for new graduates from across Ohio is that their friends that are Bearcats brag about how great this city is.
Jack Miner Vice provost for enrollment management
Miner says the city and UC are really riding a wave of success which includes “incredible enrollment at UC, terrific seasons for the Bearcats and the Bengals, and incredible growth in the business community.”
“UC has seen nearly a decade of growth and our students tell us that it isn’t just UC that is their destination but this city,” says Miner. “They love the culture, the arts, the entertainment, and most of all, the great career opportunities they have right here when they graduate.
“Our co-op program isn’t just strong because of our great students but because of the partnerships we have created with the business community right here in Cincinnati.
“One of the realities for new graduates from across Ohio is that their friends that are Bearcats brag about how great this city is.”
Read the original study from SmartAsset online.
More great news about Cincinnati:
- For the fourth year in a row, the Queen City finished No. 1 on SmartAsset’s ranking of the best cities for new college grads in 2022.
- Cincinnati named best place to live in Ohio fourth year in a row. Here's why
- U.S. News: Cincinnati ranks as best place to live in Ohio, again
- Cincinnati named 9th best summer travel destination in the U.S.
Featured image at top: Unsplash
Related Stories
Bearcats ONEchat and Projects will launch the week of Nov. 16
November 12, 2026
Bearcats ONEchat and Projects will be available to all BearcatsGPT users beginning the week of Nov. 16. Together, the new features represent the university's continued effort to provide accessible, user-friendly AI tools that support teaching, learning, research and administrative work across the university community.
How safe is nuclear power proposed for Kentucky?
November 12, 2026
An expert in nuclear energy at the University of Cincinnati helped provide context to listeners of WVXU during a discussion about a nuclear power plant complex proposed along the Ohio River in Eastern Kentucky.
Cincinnati Stride event to help young people who stutter build confidence
November 12, 2026
For children who stutter, speaking can sometimes be frustrating, anxiety-inducing and a source of low confidence. The University of Cincinnati is a host of Cincinnati Stride, formerly Fluency Friday, which gives kids a chance to connect with others who understand what they're going through. Event organizers recently appeared on both WLWT-TV and WKRC-TV to raise awareness ahead of the free workshop.