News In Brief

Top U.S. states for high school and college grad job-seekers

Chau Tu Oct 5, 2011

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]()High school graduates are finding themselves in a tough position in today’s dire jobs market, but those with college degrees can be out of luck as well. Unemployment rates are high for both, although those with only a high school diploma are facing unemployment rates that are far exceeding the current national average of 9.1 percent.

In our latest Marketplace Map, we take a look at America at Work. The data on unemployment for 2010 reveal North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rates for both high school and college graduates. Beyond that, though, the states vary for where each are having the best luck, and the differences between the unemployment numbers are quite great.

Here are the top 10 states for high school graduates versus college graduates:

Top 10 U.S. states for high school states by unemployment rate:

1. North Dakota (3.5%)

2. South Dakota (4.3%)

3. Nebraska (5.7%)

4. Oklahoma (6.4%)

5. Iowa (6.7%)

6. New Hampshire (7%)

7. Vermont (7.1%)

8. New Mexico (7.3%)

9. Montana (7.4%)

10. Louisiana (7.5%)

Top 10 U.S. states for college graduates by unemployment rate:

1. North Dakota (1.7%)

2. Nebraska (1.8%)

3. Wyoming (2.1%)

4. Iowa (2.2%)

4. Louisiana (2.2%)

6. South Dakota (2.5%)

7. Alabama (2.6%)

8. Hawaii (2.7%)

8. West Virginia (2.7%)

8. Georgia (2.7%)

To see how your state fared, check out Marketplace Maps: America at Work.

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