Where Tomorrow's Scientists Prefer to Live and Where They'd Rather Not

Strategic Insights -

As graduate students consider their post-academic options, their preferences for where they want to live have significant implications for communities and states across the country. Despite advice to be open to moving, many graduate students have strong feelings about where they want to settle, and their choices are influenced by various factors, including family, weather, and politics. A recent survey of nearly 2,000 graduate students in five natural and social science disciplines found that California, New York, and Massachusetts are the top preferred destinations, while Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas are the most unwelcome states.

Key Takeaways:

  • The survey found that 49% of students prefer to live in California, followed by New York (45%) and Massachusetts (41%), while 58% of students are unwilling to live in Alabama.
  • California, New York, and Massachusetts form a cluster of states with high preference levels (35% to 50%) and low unwillingness levels (5% to 10%), while states like Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are part of a second cluster with generally favorable opinions.
  • Students' preferences are influenced by various factors, including family, weather, and politics, with political factors being of particular concern.
  • The survey found that states like Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio have higher than expected unwillingness rates, suggesting that their policies or alignment with federal policies may be contributing to graduate students' dislike of these states.
  • The findings suggest that communities and employers in some states may face significant challenges in recruiting graduate students for employment.

Statistics:

  • 98% of survey respondents are pursuing Ph.D.s in their respective fields.
  • 49% of students prefer to live in California.
  • 45% of students prefer to live in New York.
  • 41% of students prefer to live in Massachusetts.
  • 58% of students are unwilling to live in Alabama.
  • 56% of students are unwilling to live in Mississippi.
  • 55% of students are unwilling to live in Arkansas.

Sources:

  • The Conversation -- USA (2) -- By Christopher P. Scheitle, Associate Professor of Sociology, West Virginia University
  • Based on a study supported by the National Science Foundation (Award #2344563)

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  • Where tomorrow's scientists prefer to live êÆ and where they'd rather not -- https://theconversation.com/where-tomorrows-scientists-prefer-to-live-and-where-theyd-rather-not-254431