Fewer local college grads stay in S.C.
By GENE ZALESKI, T&D Staff WriterMonday, December 10, 2007Fewer graduates of public colleges and universities are staying in South Carolina after they receive their degrees, a trend reflected in The Times and Democrat Region.
A study by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education shows 798 South Carolina State University students graduated from the university in 1996-1997, with about 550, or 69 percent, of the graduates still living in the state in 2002.
About 820 S.C. State students graduated in 2001-2002, with about 520, or 63 percent, still living in the state in 2007.
About 326 Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College students graduated in 1996-1997, with about 294, or 90 percent, remaining in the state five years later.
About 343 OCtech students graduated in 2001-2002, with about 294, or 86 percent, remaining in 2007.
The report only focused on public institutions of higher learning.
Despite the decline, Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson found the news that so many local students stay in the state encouraging.
"The study shows the OCDC is working hard to bring industries into our county that will allow our children and graduates the opportunity to attain employment and live here in our home county," Robinson said. "It also shows that our universities and technical colleges are preparing and training a quality workforce."
Robinson said the Clyburn Transportation Resource Center, as well as the MBA programs at Claflin University and S.C. State, allow for a diversified curriculum that adds value to companies.
In addition, Robinson said OCtech's transportation and truck driving training program will enhance the area's desirability for future and existing industry.
"We will continue to work hard and bring in quality, well-paying jobs that allow our citizens to receive competitive income, stay in Orangeburg County and raise their families," Robinson said, adding that Jafza International's interest in the county will help toward making this a reality.
"Jafza will assist in bringing more industries to Orangeburg County due to their global reach, therefore giving our educated workforce a greater variety of businesses to choose from," he said.
More students native to South Carolina are also leaving the state, but tend to remain more often than those from outside the state.
About 683 S.C. State students native to South Carolina graduated in 1996-1997, with about 531, or 78 percent, remaining in the state. About 667 native students graduated in 2001-2002, with about 503, or 75 percent, remaining in the state five years later.
Beyond Orangeburg, the report reveals that Denmark Technical College challenged the trend, with more of its graduates remaining in the state.
At Denmark Technical College there were about 193 graduates in 1996-1997, with about 163, or 84 percent, of grads remaining in the state in 2002.
About 273 students graduated in 2002, with about 234, or 86 percent, remaining in the state in 2007.
The study represents the first state-level migration study of college graduates in South Carolina. Graduates are considered to have remained in the state if they have an active South Carolina driver's license five years after graduation.
Highlights of the commission's report include:
* Statewide, 68 percent of graduates remained in S.C. as of 2007.
* Statewide, 79 percent of all "native" S.C. graduates remained in the state as of 2007 -- 72 percent for research institutions, 76 percent for four-year comprehensive teaching institutions, 82 percent for two-year USC regional campuses, and 85 percent of technical college graduates.
* Statewide, 71 percent of females and 65 percent of males remained in South Carolina as of 2007.
* Overall, those earning certificate, diploma or associate degrees are more likely to remain in the state than those earning a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degree recipients are more likely to remain than master's level, and master's level graduates are more likely to remain than doctoral level graduates.
To view the entire study visit, www.che.sc.gov.
T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.
