Evaluating Post-Grad Success: State-by-State

Just for my own curiosity, in which states do the most college grads end up living and working?

You've raised quite an interesting question! To answer, it's been observed that the states that tend to attract and retain the most college graduates are those with booming, diverse economies paired with a high quality of life. States like California, Texas, and New York, which are large both geographically and economically, are often top destinations for university graduates due to the many career opportunities across industries such as tech, finance, healthcare, media, and more.

Other states such as Washington and Massachusetts also attract and retain a significant number of graduates, largely thanks to their thriving tech sectors (think Amazon in Seattle and pharmaceutical companies in Boston). Furthermore, areas with renowned educational institutions often retain a good portion of their graduates, such as graduates from the prestigious colleges in the Boston area staying in Massachusetts for employment.

There are also states with bustling cities that have been increasingly attracting college graduates in recent years such as Colorado due to Denver’s growing tech industry, and Illinois because of the finance and commerce sectors in Chicago. Nonetheless, keep in mind these trends can change over time based on the shifting economic landscape and industries.

Furthermore, where college graduates end up working can greatly depend on the individual's field of study. For instance, many STEM graduates may end up in states known for their tech industries like California and Washington, while journalism graduates might head toward media hubs such as New York or D.C.

However, this doesn't necessarily mean that graduates who remain in or move to states with smaller economies aren't successful. Success can be measured in a variety of ways, and someone's job destination doesn't always directly correlate with their career success. For instance, someone might choose a certain location for family reasons, cost of living, or personal preference, rather than career opportunities.

In conclusion, while states with larger economies do tend to attract a lot of college graduates, there are many other factors that can determine where a graduate ends up living and working.