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College graduates are leaving the state at the highest rate in at least 20 years.

The latest issue of the Oklahoma Economist, a quarterly publication from the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City, points out that four of the past five years — 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 — have seen the largest net outflow of college graduates since at least 1999.

The net migration includes college graduates of all ages with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The most popular destination by far is Texas, followed by Colorado, Arkansas, Washington and California.

“The recent trend of brain drain from Oklahoma presents some challenges,” said Chad Wilkerson, branch executive, vice president and economist at the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

“Having more college graduates move out than move into the state can affect total educational attainment, which in turn could affect overall incomes and tax revenues, as higher-educated people tend to earn and spend more.”