Congrats, Class of 2018, and good luck to those entering the competitive workforce. Newly minted job seekers from the University of St. Thomas might have a slight advantage over the rest of the field, according to a study by the career guidance website Zippia. The site named the private university in St. Paul as the top college in Minnesota for graduates trying to land a job.

The school had a job placement rate of 94.38 percent, based on a study that looked at job placement rates and employment levels for all college graduates a decade after students had graduated.

Of course, a degree by itself won't guarantee a job. Choosing an attractive field of study, earning good grades and having internships and work experience also play a role. But attending schools that help students land that first paying gig can be key, the study's authors said.

The No. 1 school in the nation was Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., with a job placement rate of 96.185 percent. Right behind was Rhode Island's Salve Regina University, followed by Ohio Northern University, Oregon Health and Science University and Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Just missing the top five schools was the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota, coming in at No. 6. The top school in Iowa was Drake University, while the University of Mary in Bismarck took top honors in North Dakota.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768