The Interfolio Blog

Large cities like NYC, Boston, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Atlanta etc. used to be the destination hubs of higher ed graduates. Degree earners would head for these hotspots where they could launch careers while mingling with other graduates, both socially and professionally.

But census data now shows that college graduates are heading in new directions. Looking for careers in technology, biotech and start-ups, graduates are heading for careers in places like Portland, Oregon, Austin, Texas, Raleigh, North Carolina and San Francisco, among others.

What has prompted this shift? Data shows that these cities have invested in "knowledge" industries and have cultivated amenities and lifestyles geared toward the younger generations. Opportunities for careers in high-tech industries have attracted graduates with high-level degrees, while cities with less tech-based job opportunities and higher rates of unemployment saw the number of new residents with higher ed degrees drop significantly. 

As Willian Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institute noted, "“During this economic downturn, young, educated professionals are heading for the high-tech ‘cool’ metros rather than the fast growing upstarts of the mid-decade. The investment in knowledge industries and young professional amenities in places like Austin, Raleigh and Seattle is now paying off.” 

What does this mean for recent grads? Think outside the box. Opportunities exist in locations you may not have considered before. Look at areas of the country that are growing rather than beginning to decline. Often smaller cities with burgeoning economies also offer fantastic social scenes, lots of activities for young families and lower costs of living.

Want to see more of the census data and analysis? Check out some of the results by clicking here.