Because of concern that too many graduates of seven postsecondary vocational institutes in southwestern Minnesota were migrating from the area to seek employment elsewhere, a study was conducted to determine who migrates, the reasons for migration, and the number of graduates migrating. Migrants were defined as vocational institute graduates who lived more than 50 miles from the community of origin. A high demand for workers with the training provided by the vocational institutes exists in southwestern Minnesota. A questionnaire was mailed to more than 2,000 graduates of the classes of 1977 and 1979, with a 66 percent response after followup. The migration rate for the graduates was 31 percent, less than had been expected. The findings of the study indicate that factors related to decisions to migrate or not were quite different for those who remained and for those who left. Factors most important for the nonmigrant group were proximity of friends and relatives, leisure time activities, climate, quality of public schools, quality of environment, physical safety, pleasantness of living, and closeness of work. On the other hand, migrants gave more thought to leaving the community for the following reasons: starting pay, fringe benefits, advancement opportunities, further education, public transportation, and location of workplace. Data gathered in the study can be used in job counseling and further research. (KC)