East Lansing, Mich. — As Michigan State University’s graduation ceremonies take place, downtown East Lansing is bustling with excited graduates capturing memories by the Sparty Statue. With many students nearing the end of their college journey, the question arises: where will their next steps take them? For some, the answer lies far beyond Michigan’s borders.
A 2022 report by the National Bureau of Economic Research reveals a troubling trend: Michigan loses more college graduates to other states than it gains. This exodus of young talent has raised concerns about the state’s ability to retain its highly educated workforce. During a visit to campus, 6 News spoke with a number of graduates to learn more about their plans and whether they envision their futures in Michigan.
Megan Swartz, a soon-to-be graduate from MSU, is one of many students planning to leave the state. After completing her degree, Swartz is headed to Florida, where she will begin her career as a second-grade teacher. “I am ready for the warm weather, ready to get away from the snow, and just for something new, an adventure while I’m young,” Swartz shared with enthusiasm.
While some students are eager to leave Michigan, others simply wish to return home. Hanna Drag, Swartz’s roommate, plans to return to Illinois after graduation. “Just for like a year or so, then figure it out,” Drag said. She also expressed interest in potentially relocating to Florida in the future, perhaps reuniting with Swartz down the road.
Others are heading in different directions, such as Matt Manger, a graduate from New York. After graduation, Manger will move to Chicago to start his career. “I’m just preparing to jump into the real world, start working for the next 40 years,” Manger explained. “I’m excited to move on though, move on to the next chapter.”
The departure of graduates to other states has not gone unnoticed. Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future Inc., sees the trend as a significant challenge for the state’s future. According to Glazer, the most common factor driving graduates to leave Michigan is the appeal of cities with better transit infrastructure, walkable neighborhoods, and vibrant urban life. Unfortunately, Michigan’s cities, particularly those outside of Detroit, have struggled to offer the kind of environments that attract young professionals.
“If we don’t have the kind of neighborhoods that recent college graduates are looking for to compete with Chicago, we’re going to continue to be a poor state,” Glazer warned.
He believes that Michigan needs to make strategic investments to retain its young workforce. Specifically, Glazer advocates for enhanced public space and transit infrastructure, such as the development of rail transit systems. These investments, he argues, would create the kind of vibrant, connected urban environments that appeal to the younger generation.
While some MSU graduates are staying in Michigan due to job opportunities, the state’s overall ability to keep its college-educated residents remains in question. Glazer’s insights point to the broader issue of a state that has yet to fully prioritize urban renewal and infrastructure development aimed at attracting young talent.
For now, the future of Michigan’s talent pool looks uncertain. As MSU graduates prepare to embark on the next phase of their lives, many are leaving the state in search of new opportunities. But whether Michigan can hold on to more of its graduates in the years to come will likely depend on its ability to adapt to the changing needs and desires of the next generation.
