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The issue of interstate brain drain — where college graduates leave their home states for better opportunities — remains a pressing concern in 2026. While much of the discussion historically focused on high school graduates moving away for college, it’s crucial to understand where college graduates are heading after they earn their degrees.
In this updated analysis, we delve into the data to reveal which states are experiencing the most significant brain drain among college graduates and explore the reasons behind this phenomenon, as well as potential strategies for states to retain their educated workforce.
Some states are surprisingly ineffective at keeping their graduates.
Studies consistently highlight that the factors influencing college attendance decisions can vary annually. However, many of these factors center around the institution and its immediate surroundings rather than the state itself. Reasons for migration often include job opportunities and lifestyle preferences, with many young adults prioritizing cities with vibrant job markets and cultural amenities.
To better understand the situation, we analyzed 127,403 resumes to determine which states are losing the most graduates as they embark on their careers. The results are revealing.
What We Found
Our research indicates significant trends regarding graduate retention across the United States, highlighting states that are particularly successful or unsuccessful in keeping their educated residents.
States That Lose the Most Graduates
| State Graduated From | Grads That Leave |
|---|---|
| Delaware | 70.69% |
| Vermont | 69.54% |
| Rhode Island | 69.43% |
| North Dakota | 65.44% |
| West Virginia | 65.05% |
| New Hampshire | 64.31% |
| Missouri | 63.17% |
| Maine | 59.23% |
| Montana | 57.82% |
| Arizona | 57.14% |
Smaller states in the northern U.S. are particularly prone to losing graduates, while larger, more populous states like Texas, New York, and California tend to retain their educated workforce.
States That Keep the Most Graduates
| State Graduated From | College Grads Kept |
|---|---|
| Texas | 80.16% |
| California | 79.62% |
| Illinois | 65.33% |
| Minnesota | 65.17% |
| Nevada | 64.60% |
| Arkansas | 63.69% |
| Washington | 63.63% |
| North Carolina | 63.29% |
| Kentucky | 62.94% |
| New York | 62.65% |
Some Trends We Noticed
One significant factor influencing graduate retention is job availability. Our analysis shows that states with high rates of graduate migration often have low employment opportunities despite their low unemployment rates, challenging the assumption that graduates are simply leaving for better job markets.
| State | Grads Leaving | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 70.69% | 4.50% |
| Vermont | 69.54% | 3.00% |
| Rhode Island | 69.43% | 4.30% |
| North Dakota | 65.44% | 2.80% |
| West Virginia | 65.05% | 4.90% |
| New Hampshire | 64.31% | 2.80% |
| Missouri | 63.17% | 3.90% |
| Maine | 59.23% | 3.00% |
| Montana | 57.82% | 3.80% |
| Arizona | 57.14% | 5.00% |
Graduates are often seeking meaningful employment opportunities in urban areas that offer not only jobs but also a higher quality of life.
Graduates May Be Coming to the State for Private Colleges and Then Going Back Home
Analyzing data from the National Center for Educational Statistics, we found a strong correlation between the number of private college graduates in each state and the percentage of graduates who subsequently leave the state.
This correlation (0.36) is particularly pronounced in states like Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana, which have limited private college options.
For instance, Wyoming loses 57% of its graduates, yet only 1.5% of its students graduate from private institutions, which are scarce in the state.
It Comes Down to Public Colleges
Examining the relationship between private and public college graduates reveals further insights.
Low Grad-Retaining States Take in More Out-of-State Students to Public Colleges
Public colleges are designed to prioritize in-state students, yet states that struggle to retain graduates often admit a higher number of out-of-state students. The three states with the highest graduate departure rates are illustrative:
- Delaware admits 3,339 out-of-state students to its public colleges and sends 830 students to other states’ public colleges.
- Vermont admits 2,062 out-of-state students to its public colleges and sends 622 students to other states’ public colleges.
- Rhode Island admits 1,927 out-of-state students to its public colleges and sends 763 students to other states’ public colleges.
In contrast, states that successfully retain graduates, such as:
- Texas admits 2,750 out-of-state students to its public colleges and sends 11,179 students to other states’ public colleges.
- California admits 3,339 out-of-state students to its public colleges and sends 17,196 students to other states’ public colleges.
- Illinois admits 2,117 out-of-state students to its public colleges and sends 16,461 students to other states’ public colleges.
This imbalance indicates that public colleges in states with high out-migration rates are akin to private institutions, attracting students who ultimately leave for job opportunities elsewhere.
So What’s the Secret?
The flagship public colleges in states that successfully retain graduates are often among the best in the nation, with eight of the US News Top Ten Public Colleges located in these states.
While this speaks to quality, funding is a critical factor. The level of investment each state makes toward public colleges correlates significantly with graduate retention rates.
States that allocate less funding to public colleges often experience higher rates of graduate out-migration, revealing a strong link between educational investment and workforce retention.
The Takeaway
While correlation does not imply causation, the evidence suggests a clear trend. Students may desire to return to their roots, but for states, the key to attracting and retaining educated millennials lies in investing in public education.
As businesses seek to understand the motivations of young professionals, it becomes evident that states must prioritize their education systems to keep the most talented segment of the workforce.
| State Graduated From | Grads That Leave |
|---|---|
| Delaware | 70.69% |
| Vermont | 69.54% |
| Rhode Island | 69.43% |
| North Dakota | 65.44% |
| West Virginia | 65.05% |
| New Hampshire | 64.31% |
| Missouri | 63.17% |
| Maine | 59.23% |
| Montana | 57.82% |
| Arizona | 57.14% |
| Wyoming | 57.07% |
| Iowa | 56.27% |
| South Dakota | 55.80% |
| Idaho | 54.12% |
| Oklahoma | 52.37% |
| New Jersey | 51.79% |
| Utah | 51.73% |
| Kansas | 50.74% |
| Mississippi | 49.27% |
| Indiana | 48.97% |
| New Mexico | 48.96% |
| Pennsylvania | 46.64% |
| Massachusetts | 46.49% |
| Alabama | 44.30% |
| Ohio | 44.09% |
| Michigan | 43.89% |
| South Carolina | 43.42% |
| Nebraska | 43.15% |
| Connecticut | 42.51% |
| Oregon | 41.89% |
| Florida | 41.13% |
| Maryland | 41.00% |
| Alaska | 40.74% |
| Wisconsin | 39.67% |
| Hawaii | 39.51% |
| Louisiana | 39.51% |
| Virginia | 39.46% |
| Georgia | 38.38% |
| Tennessee | 38.16% |
| Colorado | 37.39% |
| New York | 37.35% |
| Kentucky | 37.06% |
| North Carolina | 36.71% |
| Washington | 36.37% |
| Arkansas | 36.31% |
| Nevada | 35.40% |
| Minnesota | 34.83% |
| Illinois | 34.67% |
| California | 20.38% |
| Texas | 19.84% |
Author
David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.
