Wisconsin Posts No. 2 Brain Drain for Educated 30-Somethings as 60% of Natives Leaving Hold Degrees
Updated
Updated · WPR · Aug 11
Wisconsin Posts No. 2 Brain Drain for Educated 30-Somethings as 60% of Natives Leaving Hold Degrees
3 articles · Updated · WPR · Aug 11
Summary
A Wisconsin Policy Forum report using 2024 Census data ranked Wisconsin second only to North Dakota for net loss of young, college-educated workers.
The gap is driven by education levels among movers: about 60% of Wisconsin-born adults in other states have at least a bachelor’s degree, versus 45% of people moving into Wisconsin.
That loss threatens hiring in growth industries, as earlier forum research found most Wisconsin job openings paying at least $50,000 through 2030 typically require bachelor’s or advanced degrees.
Rural communities face sharper strain filling healthcare, pharmacy, teaching and local leadership roles, pushing them to focus on housing, child care, broadband and attracting 'boomerang' migrants back.
Wisconsin’s proximity to Chicago and the Twin Cities may intensify the outflow, though researchers said the state still starts from above-average college completion and remains roughly average in overall attainment.