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People and Places: Understanding the Longitudinal College-Going and Residential Pathways of U.S. Adults Who “Went Away” to College

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  • Stephanie Sowl

    (ECMC Foundation)

  • Rachel A. Smith

    (Iowa State University)

  • Michael G. Brown

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

While college access and choice processes are well documented, the post-college residential mobility of graduates has ramifications for the long-term benefits of state and local investments in education. In particular, we examine factors that shape whether youth who depart home for college return to the communities of their adolescence by middle age. We use longitudinal Add Health data to trace the college-going and residential mobility patterns of participants who are now mid-life, focusing our analysis on changes in socio-structural relationships and place-based context change. We observed that socially and economically strong communities encourage youth to go to college, and that strong social ties, even if the home community has changed, may also bring college-educated adults who left for college back to contribute to the local economy and social enterprises. Results underscore the importance of public policies that support the long-term benefits of near-term investments in relational, community, and educational infrastructures.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie Sowl & Rachel A. Smith & Michael G. Brown, 2025. "People and Places: Understanding the Longitudinal College-Going and Residential Pathways of U.S. Adults Who “Went Away” to College," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 66(3), pages 1-29, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:66:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s11162-025-09835-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-025-09835-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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