One of New England's greatest assets is its skilled labor force, which has historically been an engine of economic growth in the region. But the skilled labor force of the future is growing more slowly in New England than in the rest of the United States. Since 2000, the population of "recent college graduates"--individuals ages 22 to 27 with a bachelor's degree or higher--has grown by less than 9% in New England, roughly half the U.S. increase. This is better than the 11% drop in the number of recent college graduates that the region faced in the previous decade. But the increase since 2000 has not offset those earlier losses, making New England the only region to see a decline in this population since 1990. The need to attract and retain recent college graduates has become a salient issue in every New England state. Policymakers and business leaders alike are concerned that an inadequate supply of skilled workers will hamper economic growth by creating barriers for companies looking to locate or expand in New England. Yet few steps have been taken to tackle this challenge. In this article, the author examines three main factors affecting the stock of recent college graduates. Keeping college graduates in the region, the author contends, will hinge on internships, positive regional "branding" and, most of all, good jobs. (Contains 2 figures.)