An interesting new Strada/Upjohn Institute report examines how and where America’s college graduates migrate (or not) after completing their education.  Talent in Motion’s bottom line finding is somewhat surprising:  fewer folks move than many (or at least me) have thought.  The study finds that over 2/3 of America’s college-educated workers remain in the state where they attended high school.  Fifty-five percent remain in state for both education (high school and college) and careers, while around 12 percent return home after attending college elsewhere.  Students who do relocate tend to cite economic opportunity as the primary reason for moving.  

The study also finds that states vary greatly in their ability to anchor talent.  In Michigan,72 percent of college educated workers attended both high school and college in state.  In Colorado, that number reaches only 36 percent.  But, in all states, the largest share of college-trained talent is already in place—at area colleges and universities.

States also vary in their capacity to retain graduates that study in-state.  California and Texas rank at the top for in-state student retention, and smaller states tend to be the worst performers on this metric.  Top performers in terms of talent retention tend to (not surprisingly) offer better and more diverse job and career opportunities.  States that offer stronger career ladders, with opportunities at many career stages, with education offerings linked to these career paths, may also see improved performance in terms of retaining local talent.

It’s not too late (barely) to join us next week in Chapel Hill NC for the annual Basic Economic Development Course offered on campus at the University of North Carolina from June 27-30. This is the basic introductory course for economic developers, and can ultimately lead to the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The course offers a week long dive into “all things economic development.” On June 30, I’ll be teaching on “Supporting Small Business and Entrepreneurs in Your Community,” but there are many other interesting looks at workforce issues, ethics, and business attraction strategies. It’s a great–and relatively quick-way to learn the latest on what’s happening in the world of economic development. Thanks to UNC’s Jonathan Morgan and the UNC team for their leadership in this area. Hope to see you next week!