From 2010 to 2020, employment in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math are projected to grow 18.7 percent, which is higher than the 14.3 percent estimated growth rate for all occupations.
With an increased demand to fill STEM-related positions, more college students are graduating with degrees in those areas of study. The National Science Foundation reports the number of freshman at four-year universities who plan to major in science or engineering increased
to 39 percent in 2012 after remaining stagnant at about 33 percent from 1995 to 2007. While STEM fields have become increasingly prominent in both education and employment, certain cities shape up to provide better opportunities for STEM graduates than others.[Related: NASCAR Engineer Encourages Students]
Using 2014 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, NerdWallet analyzed 354 of
the nation’s largest cities to see which ones led the pack in STEM-related job growth. After examining the number of STEM jobs for every 1,000 employees, the annual mean salary and the average cost of rent in each area, NerdWallet found Huntsville, Alabama to be the best city for college graduates with STEM degrees.Check the graph below to see which other cities made the top 10 and use the selector to see how each city fared when it came to jobs, average salary and cost of living.