Welcome Grads

Where should new college grads settle down? San Antonio, of course.

The Emily Morgan Hotel and the Alamo san antonio

New grads should head to San Antonio, according to this study.

Photo courtesy of The Emily Morgan Hotel

Not a surprise: Young professionals love San Antonio. It's not just the history and culture that attracts recent grads but San Antonio's healthy job prospects and low cost of living.

All of this is reinforced by a new report that names San Antonio the No. 5 best big city for new grads. For the study, OnlineDegrees.com ranked 40 U.S. cities on eight factors: median rent, renter-occupied housing, percent of the population between ages 20 and 34, median earnings, cost of living, arts and entertainment options, state-level job growth, and unemployment.

Alamo City is the second-most affordable in terms of cost of living, and it has the third-lowest unemployment rate. Local bachelor's degree holders can expect to earn a median income of $50,279, while job growth statewide is projected to grow 21.5 percent between 2012-2022.

Austin comes in at No. 1, with Houston (No. 3) and Dallas (No. 7) also scoring high marks. Austin has the lowest unemployment rate, and Houston boasts more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any other city in the U.S. except New York. Dallas gets a nod for its plethora of entertainment options and status as a "travel hub," thanks to Southwest Airlines and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

California also shows well, with San Francisco, San Diego, and San Jose all making the top 10.

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State Fair News

Texas drivers can now say 'howdy' with State Fair themed license plate

SFOT

State Fair of Texas license plate.

State Fair of Texas fans can now display their love on their license plate: The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board of Directors has given their approval for a State Fair of Texas specialty license plate, marking an exciting milestone for Fair enthusiasts, not to mention supporters of higher education.

Texans will be able to purchase the custom-designed plates starting in 2025. The plate features Texas icon Big Tex and his signature, “Howdy, Folks!”

The Big Tex Scholarship Program provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors from across the state of Texas. Beneficiaries include students who have participated in livestock events at the State Fair; graduating seniors from six Dallas Independent School District high schools near Fair Park; and longtime seasonal employees of the State Fair of Texas or their dependents.

The Big Tex Scholarship Program has awarded more than $18.8 million to more than 3,500 Texas students since 1992.

Texas license plates come in all sorts of themes: military, high schools, Texas institutions, hobbies, nature, sports, fraternities & sororities, and charities.

“The State Fair of Texas is a cherished tradition, and this new specialty license plate provides an incredible opportunity for Texans to showcase their pride while supporting Texas students,” said Karissa Condoianis, SVP of Public Relations.

driving state fair