Milwaukee is growing its reputation as a premier destination for young professionals, as recognized by two major media outlets in recent days.
Memo to job-hunting college grads: It pays to take your search to cities just beyond America’s biggest metro areas.
In one of the toughest markets for entry-level jobs in years, several second-tier cities—including Raleigh, N.C.—rise above the pack for their strong hiring, decent salaries and affordability. Instead of Atlanta or Chicago, consider Birmingham, Ala., or Milwaukee. Or think Baltimore, in lieu of Washington, D.C.
One glance at the Conway Projects Database shows this progress. From Microsoft’s $3.3 AI data center development in Mount Pleasant to Eli Lilly’s $3.5 billion expansion of its pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Kenosha County, Wisconsin is experiencing a technology and manufacturing boom.
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Wisconsin is gaining national attention as a dynamic technology hub, attracting global corporations, high-growth startups, and pioneering researchers who are reshaping advanced manufacturing, biohealth, and clean energy. By aligning talent, resources, and industry partnerships, the state is creating a climate where innovation thrives and businesses scale.
The rankings on these pages are high-level measures of states' workforce development climates.
Boosted by strong scores in metrics measuring public service and an improved score in social mobility, the University of Wisconsin–Madison is ranked first among national public universities and 12th overall in Washington Monthly’s 2024 College Guide and Rankings.
The best community college in the U.S. is located in Wisconsin. Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, WI, claimed the top spot out of 616 schools included in this study. It has a full-time retention rate of 81%, a student-faculty ratio of eight, and $4,766 in tuition and fees for in-state students.