“85% of college graduates go back and live at home after they graduate”

That’s a pretty terrifying fact if true – I’ve heard it said several times in the past week.

Is it true?   What is the source?   What was the methodology?

This “factoid” with no context was picked up and repeated by all the major media – CBS News, NPR, the NY Times, Time, Newsweek, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the AP…

The source of this information is from a “poll” conducted by a firm called TwentySomething.com which describes itself thusly:

“Twentysomething Inc. is composed of an organic assembly of consultants, functional specialists, administrative staff, overseas project managers and an extensive network of teenage and young adult trend spotters. The company’s employee diversity is reflective of both its fundamental philosophy as well as the young adult market it inhabits.”

Missing from that description is any indication what the company actually DOES – although they are proud to announce they are on the GSA’s preapproved vendor list, if your government agency needs a poll done.   The founders accomplishments are that he “fosters mutual understanding” with clients and young people – and he is one of Philadelphia’s most eligible bachelors, girls.

The most recent Press Release on their web site is from 2009.

This Chicago Tribune story shown on TwentySomething web site

http://www.twentysomething.com/chicagotribune_1_10.htm

talking about “boomerang kids”.    It cites a Pew Survey that says 1 out of 10 adults have moved back in with their parents because of the bad economy (note that is Adults, not college graduates).

So maybe what they really found is that 85% of college graduates do NOT move back in with their parents.     Hey, at least they got the 85% right.

I can’t find anything on their web site giving information about the poll.    It looks like a complete fabrication until proven otherwise.