Towns and cities in East Anglia are falling victim to the London "brain drain".
Only 28 per cent of graduates will stay in the region, while a third plan to move to London to start their career.
Research by online recruiters Jobsite and Student Room showed the brightest students were being drawn to London.
But about half plan to re-locate after a decade in the capital.
Felix Wetzel, Jobsite's group marketing director, said: "The research highlights the perception that London is the only place to go for the best jobs.
"Cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are real hotspots for a wide range of jobs, and students should not rule them out too quickly."
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