The Journey Begins: Moving Away for Higher Education
Students’ decisions to pursue higher education beyond their home states are driven by a myriad of factors. These can range from seeking highly specialized academic offerings and the prestige associated with certain institutions to the desire for more affordable tuition, expanded networking prospects, or simply a distinct campus environment that aligns with their personal aspirations.
Insights from the Department of Education’s Data
The US Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) provides comprehensive data on first-time undergraduate students seeking degrees or certificates. This dataset details their state of residence and the location of the institutions where they enroll, offering a clear picture of student migration patterns. The most recent figures, pertaining to the fall of 2024, indicate that out of over 2.93 million first-time students nationwide, a notable 19.1%, or 562,209 individuals, opted to attend an out-of-state institution.
Mapping Out-of-State Enrollment Trends Across the Nation
Business Insider conducted an extensive analysis of out-of-state enrollment rates, ranking all 50 US states based on the proportion of their resident first-time students who chose to study elsewhere. The study also identified the most frequent destination states for these migrating students. While this data offers a broad overview of student movement, it's important to note that it doesn't encompass the specific reasons behind each student's decision to leave their home state. Furthermore, the data includes enrollments in online programs, which may not always involve a physical relocation of the student's primary residence.
California: The State with the Lowest Outflow of Students
California stands out with the lowest rate of students leaving for out-of-state colleges. Only 9.9% of its 432,331 first-time students, totaling 43,016 individuals, chose to study elsewhere. The most common destination for these students was Arizona, attracting 5,537 students (12.9% of those who left).
Utah: A Minimal Propensity for Students to Study Elsewhere
Utah recorded a low out-of-state enrollment rate of 10.5%. Out of 33,175 resident first-time students, 3,497 ventured to other states, with Idaho being the primary choice for 1,038 students (29.7% of those leaving).
Michigan: Modest Out-of-State Migration
In Michigan, 12.4% of its 82,242 first-time students, amounting to 10,185 individuals, pursued education outside the state. Ohio was the leading destination, welcoming 2,276 students (22.3% of the departing cohort).
Arizona: Attracting and Sending Students Across State Lines
Arizona witnessed 12.8% of its 59,989 first-time students, or 7,695 individuals, leaving for other states. California was the most popular choice, attracting 933 students (12.1% of those who left).
Mississippi: A Southern State's Student Migration Patterns
Mississippi had an out-of-state enrollment rate of 13.2%. From a total of 24,451 first-time students, 3,222 chose to study elsewhere, with Alabama being the top destination for 614 students (19.1% of those departing).
Florida: Students Seeking Opportunities Beyond the Sunshine State
Florida saw 13.3% of its 179,229 first-time students, or 23,780 individuals, enrolling in out-of-state institutions. Georgia was the primary destination, attracting 2,220 students (9.3% of those leaving).
Oklahoma: Regional Academic Preferences
Oklahoma's out-of-state rate was 14.1%. Out of 35,946 resident first-time students, 5,082 opted for colleges in other states. Kansas emerged as the top destination, drawing 1,008 students (19.8% of the departing group).
Texas: A Large State with Diverse Student Choices
Texas experienced a 14.2% out-of-state enrollment rate. From 294,363 first-time students, 41,772 chose to study elsewhere, with Oklahoma being the most common destination for 4,796 students (11.5% of those leaving).
Alabama: Cross-State Educational Ties
Alabama also had a 14.2% out-of-state rate. Among its 40,085 first-time students, 5,701 moved to other states for college. Mississippi was the leading destination, attracting 935 students (16.4% of those departing).
Louisiana: Inter-State Student Flows
Louisiana's out-of-state enrollment rate stood at 14.8%. Out of 41,892 first-time students, 6,186 left the state, with Mississippi being the top choice for 1,090 students (17.6% of those who left).
Iowa: Midwestern Student Mobility
Iowa saw 15.4% of its 26,979 first-time students, or 4,144 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. South Dakota was the most popular destination, attracting 529 students (12.8% of the departing students).
North Carolina: Southern Academic Destinations
North Carolina had an out-of-state rate of 15.5%. From 83,293 first-time students, 12,920 chose to study elsewhere, with Virginia being the leading destination for 1,953 students (15.1% of those leaving).
Ohio: Neighboring States as Educational Hubs
Ohio's out-of-state enrollment rate was 15.8%. Out of 95,533 first-time students, 15,141 went to other states for college. Indiana was the top destination, attracting 1,769 students (11.7% of those departing).
Indiana: Cross-Border Academic Pursuits
Indiana saw 16.6% of its 56,069 first-time students, or 9,288 individuals, studying out-of-state. Ohio was the most common destination, welcoming 1,851 students (19.9% of those who left).
Kentucky: Educational Pathways to Adjacent States
Kentucky had an out-of-state rate of 16.8%. From 38,910 first-time students, 6,535 chose to attend colleges elsewhere. Ohio was the leading destination for 1,411 students (21.6% of those departing).
New Mexico: Western State Student Mobility
New Mexico's out-of-state enrollment rate was 17.1%. Out of 17,756 first-time students, 3,028 left the state, with Texas being the top choice for 586 students (19.4% of those who left).
South Carolina: Regional College Choices
South Carolina experienced a 17.2% out-of-state rate. From 42,179 first-time students, 7,236 pursued education in other states, with North Carolina being the primary destination for 1,671 students (23.1% of those departing).
Arkansas: Midwestern and Southern Academic Links
Arkansas also had a 17.2% out-of-state rate. Out of 22,786 first-time students, 3,921 went to colleges elsewhere. Missouri was the most common destination, attracting 475 students (12.1% of those who left).
Kansas: Neighboring States as Preferred College Locations
Kansas's out-of-state enrollment rate was 17.5%. From 26,488 first-time students, 4,633 chose to study elsewhere, with Missouri being the top destination for 1,286 students (27.8% of those departing).
West Virginia: Proximity Influences College Choices
West Virginia had an out-of-state rate of 19.2%. Out of 12,314 first-time students, 2,359 left the state, with Ohio being the primary choice for 529 students (22.4% of those who left).
Nebraska: Midwestern Academic Destinations
Nebraska's out-of-state enrollment rate was 19.6%. From 18,209 first-time students, 3,564 pursued education in other states, with Iowa being the most common destination for 680 students (19.1% of those departing).
Tennessee: Southern Academic Exchange
Tennessee saw 20.0% of its 58,199 first-time students, or 11,667 individuals, enrolling in out-of-state institutions. Alabama was the primary destination, attracting 1,591 students (13.6% of those leaving).
Georgia: Interstate Academic Connections
Georgia had an out-of-state rate of 20.1%. From 98,471 first-time students, 19,835 chose to study elsewhere, with Alabama being the top destination for 3,475 students (17.5% of those departing).
Wisconsin: Northern Migration for Higher Education
Wisconsin's out-of-state enrollment rate was 20.3%. Out of 46,503 first-time students, 9,420 left the state, with Minnesota being the most common destination for 2,781 students (29.5% of those who left).
Oregon: Pacific Northwest Student Movement
Oregon saw 21.2% of its 30,818 first-time students, or 6,526 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. Washington was the primary destination, attracting 1,101 students (16.9% of those leaving).
Virginia: East Coast Academic Preferences
Virginia had an out-of-state rate of 21.4%. From 76,703 first-time students, 16,448 chose to study elsewhere, with North Carolina being the leading destination for 1,627 students (9.9% of those departing).
New York: A Significant Outflow to Neighboring States
New York's out-of-state enrollment rate was 21.9%. Out of 170,412 first-time students, 37,301 left the state, with Pennsylvania being the top choice for 5,091 students (13.6% of those who left).
Missouri: Central US Academic Exchange
Missouri saw 22.6% of its 46,624 first-time students, or 10,555 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. Kansas was the most common destination, welcoming 2,186 students (20.7% of those departing).
Pennsylvania: A Popular Destination, Yet Many Students Leave
Pennsylvania also had an out-of-state rate of 22.6%. From 100,007 first-time students, 22,644 chose to study elsewhere, with New York being the leading destination for 2,642 students (11.7% of those departing).
Idaho: Western State Student Mobility
Idaho's out-of-state enrollment rate was 23.8%. Out of 15,636 first-time students, 3,716 left the state, with Utah being the top choice for 1,106 students (29.8% of those who left).
Nevada: Students Heading to the Golden State
Nevada saw 24.6% of its 23,982 first-time students, or 5,906 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. California was the most common destination, attracting 964 students (16.3% of those departing).
Maine: New England Academic Networks
Maine had an out-of-state rate of 25.0%. From 11,004 first-time students, 2,750 chose to study elsewhere, with Massachusetts being the leading destination for 658 students (23.9% of those departing).
Washington: Pacific Northwest College Choices
Washington's out-of-state enrollment rate was 25.1%. Out of 59,429 first-time students, 14,894 left the state, with California being the top choice for 2,344 students (15.7% of those who left).
South Dakota: Regional Academic Draws
South Dakota saw 25.2% of its 7,298 first-time students, or 1,840 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. Minnesota was the most common destination, attracting 319 students (17.3% of those departing).
North Dakota: Strong Ties to Neighboring Minnesota
North Dakota had an out-of-state rate of 25.9%. From 6,156 first-time students, 1,596 chose to study elsewhere, with Minnesota being the leading destination for 785 students (49.2% of those departing).
Colorado: Western State Academic Exchange
Colorado's out-of-state enrollment rate was 27.6%. Out of 49,104 first-time students, 13,561 left the state, with Arizona being the top choice for 1,613 students (11.9% of those who left).
Montana: Intermountain West Student Mobility
Montana saw 27.9% of its 7,316 first-time students, or 2,042 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. North Dakota was the most common destination, attracting 211 students (10.3% of those departing).
Wyoming: Smallest State, Significant Outflow
Wyoming had an out-of-state rate of 28.4%. From 4,688 first-time students, 1,333 chose to study elsewhere, with Utah being the leading destination for 229 students (17.2% of those departing).
Minnesota: Drawing Students from and Sending to Nearby States
Minnesota's out-of-state enrollment rate was 30.5%. Out of 53,053 first-time students, 16,172 left the state, with Wisconsin being the top choice for 3,494 students (21.6% of those who left).
Illinois: Midwestern Students Seeking Diverse Opportunities
Illinois saw 31.3% of its 111,509 first-time students, or 34,903 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. Wisconsin was the most common destination, attracting 4,183 students (12% of those departing).
Rhode Island: New England's High Outflow
Rhode Island had an out-of-state rate of 32.1%. From 9,213 first-time students, 2,954 chose to study elsewhere, with Massachusetts being the leading destination for 962 students (32.6% of those departing).
Massachusetts: A Hub for Education, Yet Many Students Leave
Massachusetts' out-of-state enrollment rate was 33.5%. Out of 63,392 first-time students, 21,260 left the state, with Rhode Island being the top choice for 2,716 students (12.8% of those who left).
Maryland: East Coast Student Mobility
Maryland saw 33.9% of its 54,599 first-time students, or 18,506 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. Pennsylvania was the most common destination, attracting 3,228 students (17.4% of those departing).
Delaware: Small State, High Out-of-State Enrollment
Delaware had an out-of-state rate of 34.4%. From 9,209 first-time students, 3,166 chose to study elsewhere, with Pennsylvania being the leading destination for 1,043 students (32.9% of those departing).
New Jersey: Neighboring States Attract Many Students
New Jersey's out-of-state enrollment rate was 35.6%. Out of 95,646 first-time students, 34,070 left the state, with Pennsylvania being the top choice for 7,672 students (22.5% of those who left).
Connecticut: New England's Outflow to Regional Institutions
Connecticut saw 38.4% of its 35,699 first-time students, or 13,699 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. Massachusetts was the most common destination, attracting 2,738 students (20% of those departing).
Hawaii: Distant Destinations for Island Students
Hawaii had an out-of-state rate of 38.9%. From 10,296 first-time students, 4,000 chose to study elsewhere, with California being the leading destination for 862 students (21.6% of those departing).
Alaska: Students Seeking Mainland Opportunities
Alaska's out-of-state enrollment rate was 42.2%. Out of 4,303 first-time students, 1,817 left the state, with Arizona being the top choice for 222 students (12.2% of those who left).
New Hampshire: High Migration within New England
New Hampshire saw 46.2% of its 10,094 first-time students, or 4,663 individuals, pursuing education out-of-state. Massachusetts was the most common destination, attracting 1,419 students (30.4% of those departing).
Vermont: The State with the Highest Proportion of Out-of-State Students
Vermont holds the distinction of having the highest percentage of students leaving for out-of-state colleges, with an astounding 53.3% of its 3,865 first-time students, totaling 2,060 individuals, choosing to study elsewhere. New York was the leading destination for these students, attracting 406 individuals (19.7% of those who left the state).
