As the Golden State’s economy becomes more complex, a new study suggests the state’s economy may begin to suffer “brain drain” if it doesn’t start courting, and keeping, more college graduates.
According to the study, conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, less domestic migrants with college degrees are choosing to relocate in California, 49 percent from 1995 to 2000 as opposed to 48 percent between 2000 and 2005.
The number of college graduates leaving the state has also jumped, up from 30 percent between 1995 and 2000 to 38 percent from 2000 to 2005. The study cited expensive housing and a high cost of living as the main reasons.
The study also suggests that the problem will get worse. More than 41 percent of all jobs will require at least a college degree by 2025 as compared to only 33 percent in 2005, according to the study.
In the past, California has been a magnet for graduates from other states and countries due to the expansive aerospace industry in Southern California and the strong tech sector in Northern California. But the study says that since the tech bubble burst, more college graduates have been leaving California for other states than have been arriving.