More people are going to college than ever, but do American job markets provide enough opportunity for people to use their education? This brief calculates the “mix-match” between the shares of people with postsecondary education and of jobs requiring it in 387 metropolitan areas. None of these areas has a higher share of jobs requiring “some college” than residents with that level of education. And 87 percent of metros have a similar labor market “mix-match” for people with at least a four-year degree. Next-generation economic development policies and partnerships with employers are necessary to ensure opportunity in local job markets.

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