25 cities where a college degree makes all the difference in getting a good job, earning enough money, and becoming a homeowner

Hillary HoffowerNov 7, 2018, 01:47 IST

Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

The cost of a bachelor's degree is at an all-time high.
But college degrees are still advantageous - especially in certain areas. MagnifyMoney recently determined the top cities where a bachelor's degree is most valuable.
Earnings and opportunities are highest in wealthy and highly educated cities like San Jose and Washington, DC.

The cost of getting a four-year undergraduate degree is more expensive than ever. But does that mean college degrees are becoming less valuable? Not necessarily.

A college degree is still advantageous, but it can get you even further if you live in certain metropolitan areas.

MagnifyMoney recently looked at the top cities a bachelor's degree is most valuable in the United States. To determine this, they ranked income, employment, and related data from 0 to 100 for residents with a degree and those without a degree across the US's 50 largest metropolitan areas. A final score was awarded to each location to indicate the value of a bachelor's degree there.

MagnifyMoney found that the earnings and opportunities that come from holding a bachelor's degree are highest in wealthy and highly educated cities, such as San Jose, California, and Washington, DC.

Below, see the top 25 cities where a bachelor's degree will get you the most for your job, money, and home.

See 25 cities where a college degree makes all the difference in getting a good job, earning enough money, and becoming a homeowner >>

24 (TIE). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Median debt-to-income ratio: 32.8%

Degree holders in Philadelphia receive 59.5% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 14.6% more likely to own a home.

24 (TIE). Miami, Florida

Median debt-to-income ratio: 50.1%

Degree holders in Miami receive 50.9% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 28.5% more likely to own a home.

23. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Median debt-to-income ratio: 33.1%

Degree holders in Milwaukee receive 53.5% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 19.1% more likely to own a home.

22. Charlotte, North Carolina

Median debt-to-income ratio: 39.1%

Degree holders in Charlotte receive 39.1% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 16.8% more likely to own a home.

21. Chicago, Illinois

Median debt-to-income ratio: 35.4%

Degree holders in Chicago receive 62.5% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 14.3% more likely to own a home.

19 (TIE). Portland, Oregon

Median debt-to-income ratio: 36.3%

Degree holders in Portland receive 57.3% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 27.6% more likely to own a home.

19 (TIE). Columbus, Ohio

Median debt-to-income ratio: 35.5%

Degree holders in Columbus receive 35.5% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 18.7% more likely to own a home.

18. Hartford, Connecticut

Median debt-to-income ratio: 25.2%

Degree holders in Hartford receive 61.2% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 17.4% more likely to own a home.

17. San Antonio, Texas

Median debt-to-income ratio: 42.2%

Degree holders in San Antonio receive 44.1% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 40% more likely to own a home.

16. Denver, Colorado

Median debt-to-income ratio: 35%

Degree holders in Denver receive 65.8% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 27.3% more likely to own a home.

14 (TIE). San Diego, California

Median debt-to-income ratio: 32.4%

Degree holders in San Diego receive 64.9% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 23.7% more likely to own a home.

14 (TIE). Sacramento, California

Median debt-to-income ratio: 34%

Degree holders in Sacramento receive 54% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 30.6% more likely to own a home.

13. Boston, Massachusetts

Median debt-to-income ratio: 25.2%

Degree holders in Boston receive 73% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 13.6% more likely to own a home.

12. Dallas, Texas

Median debt-to-income ratio: 36.2%

Degree holders in Dallas receive 58.6% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 25.4% more likely to own a home.

11. New York, New York

Median debt-to-income ratio: 34.1%

Degree holders in New York receive 68.9% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 19.2% more likely to own a home.

10. Baltimore, Maryland

Median debt-to-income ratio: 32.4%

Degree holders in Baltimore receive 62.7% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 20% more likely to own a home.

8 (TIE). Seattle, Washington

Median debt-to-income ratio: 26%

Degree holders in Seattle receive 65.1% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 25.3% more likely to own a home.

8 (TIE). Los Angeles, California

Median debt-to-income ratio: 40%

Degree holders in Los Angeles receive 64.6% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 31.4% more likely to own a home.

7. Houston, Texas

Median debt-to-income ratio: 37%

Degree holders in Houston receive 59.8% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 49% more likely to own a home.

6. Atlanta, Georgia

Median debt-to-income ratio: 41.7%

Degree holders in Atlanta receive 62.7% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 25.6% more likely to own a home.

5. Austin, Texas

Median debt-to-income ratio: 30.6%

Degree holders in Austin receive 69% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 28.4% more likely to own a home.

4. Raleigh, North Carolina

Median debt-to-income ratio: 32.1%

Degree holders in Raleigh receive 72% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 20.6% more likely to own a home.

3. San Francisco, California

Median debt-to-income ratio: 26%

Degree holders in San Francisco receive 78.9% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 21.8% more likely to own a home.

2. Washington, DC

Median debt-to-income ratio: 29.9%

Degree holders in Washington, DC receive 80% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 26.1% more likely to own a home.

1. San Jose, California

Median debt-to-income ratio: 18.6%

Degree holders in San Jose receive 83.6% more in median income than non-degree holders. They're also 31% more likely to own a home.

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25 cities where a college degree makes all the difference in getting a good job, earning enough money, and becoming a homeowner

24 (TIE). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

24 (TIE). Miami, Florida

23. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

22. Charlotte, North Carolina

21. Chicago, Illinois

19 (TIE). Portland, Oregon

19 (TIE). Columbus, Ohio

18. Hartford, Connecticut

17. San Antonio, Texas

16. Denver, Colorado

14 (TIE). San Diego, California

14 (TIE). Sacramento, California

13. Boston, Massachusetts

12. Dallas, Texas

11. New York, New York

10. Baltimore, Maryland

8 (TIE). Seattle, Washington

8 (TIE). Los Angeles, California

7. Houston, Texas

6. Atlanta, Georgia

5. Austin, Texas

4. Raleigh, North Carolina

3. San Francisco, California

2. Washington, DC

1. San Jose, California