Most 4-Year Graduates Work in Same State as Alma Mater, Strada Report Finds

HR Dive · United States · Aug 12, 2026

A new report from the Strada Education Foundation and W.E. Upjohn Institute finds that 55% of college-educated workers remain in the state where they grew up and earned their degree, with only 9% relocating for college and staying. States with strong graduate retention tend to have robust employment growth, lower income tax rates, and higher wage premiums for degree holders. The findings suggest that staffing and recruiting firms operating regionally should prioritize local talent pipelines over out-of-state sourcing strategies, as interstate talent migration remains limited. Public colleges, particularly broad-access institutions, function as key anchors for in-state workforce supply.