Post-1990s college students tend to go abroad in pursuit of higher education more than immigration, a survey conducted by a research institute at Nankai University in Tianjin, Tianjin Daily found.

The survey polled 1,872 students from 11 top universities, including Tsinghua University, Peking University and Nankai University.

All of students interviewed planned to study overseas.

According to the survey, 47.14 percent of respondents said they wanted to study abroad to improve their chances of finding a job and honing "soft power"; 39.68 percent count on receiving an advanced education; 9.33 percent expect to find a long-term job or immigrate; and 3.85 percent are simply follow others' lead.

The survey also found that overseas returnees no longer flock to first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, with 16.99 percent heading to West China and smaller cities for work. Experts suggested second- and third-tier cities provide more favorable policies to attract more returnees.