REGIONAL FEATURES OF STUDENT MIGRATION IN STAVROPOL KRAI AND THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN

Abstract

Student migration is an important resource for the socio-economic development of the peripheral territories of Russia. Stavropol Krai and the Republic of Dagestan are examples of southern Russian regions with different
characteristics of demographic and migration dynamics. The study aims to conduct a comparative analysis and identify
the features of student migration behavior using these regions as an example. The information base includes official
statistics and a sociological survey carried out online in 2023–2024 using an interactive questionnaire. The information obtained has been integrated into a database. All indicators are divided into blocks and have a spatial reference. The paper
analyzes the choice of a university and place of residence after receiving higher education by different categories of
students. The choice of a university largely depends on its location relative to the student's place of residence, on the
variety of areas of training available and the possibility to be trained in the desired specialty, on the fame and prestige of
the university. The study has found that the key push factor for young professionals is low wages. In addition, the desire
to leave the place of study is affected by difficulties in finding employment in the specialty, unfavorable environmental
conditions, poor development and low quality of the urban environment. The paper shows differences in the attractiveness
of universities in Stavropol Krai and Dagestan, demonstrates the need for targeted work to improve the competitiveness
of regional universities. The most important push and pull factors are noted, with special attention paid to attracting
foreign graduates.