#college-towns

#college-towns

After spending four years with their heads in the books, recent college graduates may want a change of scenery once they toss their caps. But in some cases, it might be best to stay put. Research firm RentCafe analyzed 122 metros with populations over 300,000 and ranked the best metros for Gen Z graduates. Each metro was ranked based on six weighted metrics related to Gen Z population, job growth, and other factors related to livability.

Of the 20 labor markets that saw the biggest increases in NIH funding between 2004 and 2023, many were well-known college towns, including Tallahassee, Fla.; Athens, Ga.; and State College, Pa. And according to the report's calculations, the local economies that saw a substantial increase in NIH funding during that period also had lower rates of employment decline than those with small increases, no increases or no NIH funding.