2 Arizona cities ranked among best cities for recent college graduates

PHOENIX — As graduation day nears for college students, two Arizona cities have been ranked among the best places in the country for new college graduates.

A study by SmartAsset rated 35 of the largest U.S. cities based on jobs, affordability and fun.

Tucson came in at No. 19 on the list while Phoenix was ranked No. 25.

The job rating was found by analyzing the overall unemployment rate, the unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders, earnings for college graduates and the number of Indeed job listings.

Affordability of each city was based on the monthly median rent as well as the cost of living, while the fun score was based on entertainment and dining options, the percentage of the population ages 20-29 and the Yelp scores of restaurants and bars.

Tucson received high marks for affordability, being ranked in the top five, but was the lowest-rated city for jobs and placed in the middle of the pack for fun.

While Phoenix was determined to be one of the top ten places in the country for jobs, the city struggled with affordability and fun, ranking in the bottom-third of both.

Cincinnati was found to be the best city for new college graduates, receiving high scores for both affordability and fun. Six of the top ten cities were located in the midwest. The study noted, however, that many of the midwestern cities ranked are college towns that boost the fun score.

Seattle was placed at No. 35 on the list, receiving good marks for jobs and fun but struggling mightly with affordability.

In last year’s study, Phoenix didn’t crack the top 35 at all while Tucson was ranked No. 25.

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