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Report: More Iowa students leave the state after graduating from college

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February 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Cedar Fall, Iowa [KCCI] – Colleges in Iowa are seeing more students look for opportunities out of state after they graduate, according to a report from the National Bureau of Economic Research. The report found that Iowa has the 10th highest rate of college graduates leaving the state once they receive their degree.

State Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Black Hawk County) talked to a group of students at the University of Northern Iowa to find out why. He said jobs and career opportunities were big factors students shared for looking out of state. Politics was another factor. He said students want lawmakers to create opportunities rather than tackle divisive social issues.