Where are new college grads going to find jobs?
In the past, several factors such as the proportion of a city’s workers who are college educated, job prospects, income levels, and city amenities have influenced college graduates' decisions on where to live.
Previous research found that in the 1990s – after controlling for lots of other city characteristics like population, income and amenities – the proportion of the population with a college degree increased more in cities that already had lots of college grads.
Two, better educated places tend to offer more cultural amenities and entertainment options, which college graduates value highly.
[...] one prior study suggests this is exactly what happened in the three decades between 1970 to 2000.
[...] in the last decade there have been two recessions (including the Great Recession in 2008), a continued decline in overall interstate migration, and significant industry restructuring from the loss of so many manufacturing jobs.
Other studies have highlighted the trend of college-age adults living with their parents longer, providing some evidence that the struggling economy was swaying behaviors.
College graduates are more productive workers, have higher civic engagement, and help create new businesses.
Because of these things, our results have important policy implications for decision-makers aiming to lure talented workers to their cities.