Atlanta is a vibrant city teeming with opportunities that position Oglethorpe students to thrive in their future careers. According to experts, it’s also the best place in the country to secure a new job once they graduate — and to enjoy building a life.
Atlanta is the number one city to start a career, according to a new ranking from award-winning personal finance company WalletHub. The Georgia capital was evaluated against 181 other cities across the nation in 25 categories, including job market saturation, housing affordability, and average starting salary.
Among these categories, Atlanta stood out for its strong median household income rate, availability of entry-level jobs and overall employee satisfaction.
At Oglethorpe, Atlanta isn’t just a place on a map — it’s a living, breathing extension of the classroom. Students regularly engage in hands-on learning through internships, community projects and real-world research partnerships across the metro area. Every student can find opportunities to apply their education in meaningful ways thanks to the university’s deep ties with local organizations, Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and cultural institutions.
But Atlanta isn’t the only city in Georgia where graduates can kick-start their careers.
The city of John’s Creek — just a few miles north of Oglethorpe — was recently named the number one place to live in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2025-26 “250 Best Places to Live.” Georgia cities Alpharetta, Roswell, Dalton, Smyrna and Warner Robbins also ranked.
Home to around 80,000 residents, John’s Creek is an easy getaway from the city, dotted with plenty of nature trails, greenways and community spaces. The ranking from U.S. News recognized the city for its hearty job market and high quality of life.
Oglethorpe’s location gives students the best of both worlds: a small, supportive campus environment where professors know your name, and a big-city backdrop that opens doors. It’s a rare combination — one that empowers students to think boldly, act purposefully and take full advantage of the world-class city that surrounds them.
