CT is way to expensive for most new college grads. One of my kiddos has relocated already, and I suspect the other will never live here either.
S1 and S2 graduated from big state u’s in our state. S1 lives in the state next to ours. He’s in the military and has bought a house there. He’s got a few years to think about his next move.
S2 has remained in our state since graduation.
I live in MO, and the state flagship was not the most affordable, or the second most, but the third least expensive choice for my son. He’s 1,100 miles away, and I’d be surprised his life returns him to this state.
All three of mine are working in their home state. But,then again, we are DC suburbs. Not difficult.
I live in HI & both my kids went to college in CA. S now lives on the East Coast and D lives in Los Angeles.
I am in Nevada. Both of my sons went to UCs. Most of their high achieving peers from high school who had the financial means also left the state. We are a low population state and there are few higher education opportunities here.
Older DS graduated last June and is back here working in the hospitality industry - plenty of opportunity in that area here, lol.
Younger DS will graduate in 2016. He will head directly to grad school, hopefully somewhere in California. I doubt he will ever live here again since there aren’t many chemistry research jobs here.
My three went to college at privates in other states. All three came home after graduation. The oldest moved to the opposite coast after a few years. The younger two live in neighboring zip codes.
I can’t understand why I still live here, so I fully get the brain drain in my area. All three of my daughters attended schools far from our state/region, with the intention of winding up where they are, or soon will be, in the DC metro area. There were far more entry-level jobs in their fields, and far better opportunities for career advancement there.
A small illustration - I know a well-trained, talented and dedicated teacher in my area who, at nearly 30 years of age, has been able only to obtain long-term sub work. My youngest d, also a teacher, was offered (and took) the very first teaching job she applied for in the DC area. She was well-qualified for it, with a master’s degree and excellent recs from a strong program - but so is the young woman who lives near me.
I live in DC suburbs and my oldest who attended college in NYC ended up staying there. I would say that the majority of the students come back to this area after graduation as there are a lot of opportunities here. The ones who go OOS tend to be less likely to come back here from what I have seen. At any rate, the area I live in has no “brain drain”.
All three of mine went to school instate. Michigan. As did two of the wives. Three of the five will remain here. One couple claim they needed to move for the higher salaries. But from what I can see, their salaries are not that much higher than the couple that stayed here but their cost of living is ridiculous. They would have a much higher standard of living had they stayed. Maybe they will see the light and return 
My city has a new campaign to attract young people. It’s a nice video but I doubt it will do much good. People do move here for specific jobs - but I don’t think anyone from out of the area would come without a job and then try to find one. I also don’t think most who go to college in this area stay after graduating.
S is not coming back after he graduates even if he doesn’t have a job lined up. He could easily end up in the same state though since a lot of kids move to NYC after they graduate.
D attended college out of state, returned to our home state for her first job, then went to grad school in a third state, and subsequently became employed and settled in the state of her undergrad school. It is about a five to six hour drive from our home.
S attended college in our state, then got his first job commuting distance from our home. But in a year he will be marrying someone whose career path may take them away, although she also is from our state. (They were high school sweethearts.) Possible they will stay instate, but at least as likely not. Depends on her job offers after professional school, and she is going into a specialized field which is very geographically dependent. They will, however, probably stay in the northeast.
At parent’s weekend at my son’s California university, the president said that 74% of graduates remain in California. I hope my son is one of those. I see no reason for him to return to Illinois. I see no reason for me to stay in Illinois. People are fleeing in droves and there is no reason for a young person to return here and be left holding the bag.
SC has the tuition lottery scholarships that are intended to encourage students to remain in state. The Palmetto Fellows (limited to 4 yrs.) currently provides $6700 to freshman, and $7500 annually to upperclassmen. There’s also a $2500/yr enhancement for upperclassmen majoring in certain subjects. The LIFE scholarship is $5000/yr for 4 years. All require students to meet and maintain certain eligibility requirements.
My S stayed in state for college, taking advantage of the Palmetto Fellows scholarship and an academic recruiting scholarship from Clemson. He is now living and working in TX. D attends an OOS LAC. I doubt she will remain in SC after graduation.
I’m in Michigan. A few years ago, 1/3 of college grads were leaving the state. They’re doing their best to keep pushing students out of state through very unfriendly policies to young people.
^^^Seems that way doesn’t it, Romani??!
If they can, I see recent grads staying in the region of their college for their first job.
Not what I’ve seen on CC, but with my family and friends.
If their college or university was too rural to supply many jobs, they move back to their home region, but otherwise, the familiarity of their college town gives them a familiar base to move into the working world.
Probably why some states give enticements to attend school instate.
Absolutely, abasket. I have no interest in raising children here.
We are in So. Calif. One of our oldest (twins) went to a state public school, but has settled in Denver. He consciously sought out employment there because he loves winter sports and loves mountain biking- it is a perfect fit for him. He has a great job and has been able to buy a house there by himself, something that would be impossible where we live because of the ridiculous housing prices. His sister teaches high school and has settled 10 miles from us. She will probably stay as her husband is a local and they have a house there. Our next went OOS and has been working overseas for a year. She will move back soon but already has a sublet in NYC. The youngest is still in school and who knows where he will end up? He does love our weather and maybe that will be an incentive to stay in-state.
Walker has ruined Wisconsin for us. I don’t see it being the place to be anymore with current policies. Son started there for his first job but has moved on.