3 Reasons Raleigh Ranks as Your College City

Through your college search, you’re learning there are many factors  from the quality of the academic experience, to the size of the campus, to the variety of activities available on campus — that contribute to a great college experience. A college’s location is another factor you should consider when deciding on the best fit for you.

Without a doubt, Raleigh, N.C. is one of the strongest cities for a college education. I know I may sound a bit biased, but if the rankings are any indication, the rest of the world seems to agree.

Here are three reasons Raleigh should rank as a top city for your college education:

1. People just love living in Raleigh.

   One of the things I noticed when I moved to Raleigh from my home country of France was how happy the people here seemed. It came as no surprise to me that U.S. News and World Report ranks Raleigh as the #13 Best Place to Live in the whole country. The quality of life and the value of living here are great, making Raleigh an extremely desirable city in which to live, work, and learn.

2. Women thrive in Raleigh.

   The city has a lot to offer women, particularly in terms of career, wellness, and educational opportunities. MagnifyMoney ranked Raleigh the #13 Best City for Working Women because of the opportunities women have for equal pay and career advancement. Women interested in living their healthiest life will be pleased to know Women’s Health magazine ranked as the #1 Healthiest City for Women. (Raleigh is also home to Meredith, one of the country’s best women’s colleges. We think there’s a connection to why it’s such a great city for women!)

3. New grads find jobs.

   One of the biggest concerns for college students is finding a great job after graduation. With dynamic, growing areas such as Downtown Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park, it is no surprise that Raleigh has been listed in the Top 10 Best Cities for New Grads Starting Out by MarketWatch. Raleigh-Durham has also been named #5 in the nation for Life Sciences, among a host of other rankings, both discipline-specific and general.

These are among the many reasons Raleigh is a great city to study and start your career in – whether you’re a North Carolina resident, coming from out-of-state, or even an international student like me.

Come see for yourself: schedule a campus visit and explore Raleigh’s food and music scenes while you’re here!