Skip to main content

UNO CPAR Survey Reveals Why Young Talent Leaves Omaha

Nebraska Examiner highlights UNO’s Center for Public Affairs Research survey on young professionals’ decision to stay or leave the Omaha area.

  • published: 2025/04/22
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Downtown Omaha, Nebraska is seen here on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.

Downtown Omaha, Nebraska is seen here on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

A recent survey conducted by the Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR), at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and led by CPAR Director Josie Schafer, Ph.D., reveals crucial insights into what drives young professionals to stay or leave the Omaha area. The findings emphasize that better pay, affordable housing, improved transit, and flexible work environments are key to addressing the region’s brain drain.

💡 Why it matters: Schafer highlighted that this data would equip employers and civic leaders with the information they need to make more informed decisions to attract and retain college-educated talent in Omaha.

🔍 The big picture: As Omaha strives to grow its talent pool, this survey provides actionable insights that can help shape the region’s economic development strategies and improve the quality of life for young professionals.

For more on the survey’s findings and their implications, read the full article in the Nebraska Examiner.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, committed to innovating for the public good, advancing social mobility, powering workforce development, and serving as a hub for community engagement. Nearly 15,000 Mavericks choose UNO for its hands-on education experiences, nationally ranked online and graduate programs, military-connected student support, and innovative approaches to supporting lifelong learning. UNO holds the Carnegie Research Activity “R2” designation, securing more than $40 million annually in external research funding and counts its faculty among the world’s most cited scholars. Sixteen Omaha Athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). 

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.