This study measures the extent to which student outmigration outside the 4-year sector takes place and posits that the benefits from attracting non-resident students exist regardless of sector of enrollment. The study also provides empirical evidence about the relevance of employing geographical network analysis (GNA) and spatial econometrics in [higher] education research. When applied to student migration, GNA enabled the visualization and analysis of complex (virtuous cyclical) dynamics in non-resident student exchanges. Findings revealed that states' preponderance in attracting non-resident students is both explained by their propensity to export their resident students out-of-state while it simultaneously affected non-resident tuition variation.