The University of Iowa is developing new programs to help combat the “brain drain” phenomenon by connecting students with local communities and organizations, and offering hands-on experience in public health, business, and healthcare sectors.
The term “brain drain” has been linked to the state for the last few years, referring to educated or highly-skilled people migrating from their native area to a new area, typically for better living conditions and higher pay.
According to a 2026 report from the Common Sense Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, the University of Iowa had the lowest post-graduation rate among the three public universities in Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa. About 61.9 percent of University of Iowa students are residents of Iowa, but only 37.7 percent of graduates from the university will live in the state ten years after graduation…