Birmingham, Alabama has emerged as the top city for recent college graduates landing jobs with career-track positions, according to a new study by payroll processor ADP. Tampa, Florida ranked second in the analysis, which examined hiring patterns for newly minted graduates across major U.S. metropolitan areas.

The findings reveal a striking geographic trend: six of the top 10 graduate-hiring hot spots are located in the Sunbelt, including Raleigh, North Carolina; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee; and Charlotte, North Carolina. This shift comes as young professionals face an otherwise challenging job market.

The Southern dominance in graduate hiring reflects broader economic trends, including lower costs of living, growing tech sectors, and business-friendly environments that have attracted companies expanding their workforce. The ADP data provides concrete insights into where new graduates are successfully finding positions, highlighting regional employment patterns that could inform career decisions.