College Graduates Should Flock to Houston

HOUSTON - Texas has always had one of the strongest job markets in the U.S., but now Houston is ranked the best in the country for entry-level jobs available to college graduates.

The ranking was determined by Bloomberg Business Week magazine, which also listed three other Texas cities in the national top ten. The findings are based on a combination of job openings, pay and home affordability.

There are 61 companies with job openings for new college graduates in Houston, based on the Bloomberg ranking. The average annual salary in the city is $44,880 with a cost of living and unemployment rate both below the national average.

Bloomberg Business Week listed the top ten cities in the following order:

1. Houston
2. Washington, DC
3. Dallas
4. Atlanta
5. Austin
6. Minneapolis
7. Pittsburgh
8. Denver
9. Columbus, Ohio
10. Fort Worth

Based on the Bloomberg Business Week findings, 24 of the largest companies in Texas are represented in Houston, including Conoco-Phillips, Haliburton and Continental Airlines.

The survey found that Houston also offers several job opportunities in energy, aeronautics and health care.

All of the Texas cities on the list have a cost of living below the national average. The fact that Texas has no state income tax is also considered an advantage.

On the Web:

Read the Bloomberg Business Week article -- http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_31/b4189016836197.htm