This study focused on Chinese doctoral recipients in social science disciplines in the U.S. and their decision making about returning to China upon graduation. In interviews of Chinese faculty who studied in the U.S. and Chinese PhD students currently in the U.S., we found that plans to return were associated with a blend of cultural, family, and academic ties. Political and economic factors interact with the influence of family ties. They were also apparent in the perceived prestige of studying in the U.S., which was believed to lead to a certain job offer from a Chinese university.