Introduction. Involvement in global information flows, holding major international events in Russia, focusing on interaction with foreign universities and partners creates conditions for the formation of modern youth's focus on the global track of mobility – admission to educational organizations of foreign countries. At the same time, role and quality of education in Russia in the global market are increasing through the development of Russian education, internationalization and networking of universities. Such tendencies to increase mobility in education naturally require a study of the prevalence of the ideas of mobility in general and in certain areas among schoolchildren and university students. The aim of the study is to reveal the prevalence of the ideas of mobility (potential mobility), both within Russia and abroad, among graduates of educational institutions (at different levels). Materials and research methods. The study involved 1136 graduates of educational institutions in Ekaterinburg, of which 30% are graduates of secondary schools, lyceums and gymnasiums, 60% are graduates of bachelor's degrees from 4 universities, and 10% are graduates of master's degree from 3 universities. Research results. A study conducted in 2020–2021 indicated the following trends: the higher the level of education, the higher the value of the educational environment in the country of residence, the more broadly represented the national track of mobility (schoolchildren – 46%, bachelors – 51%, masters – 54%). Among the global market of educational services for all graduates of educational institutions in Russia, priority is given to Europe. Among bachelors, there are more of those who are confident that they can find the desired job in Russia (21%) than in another country. Master students are more confident in the possibilities of working in their specialty in Russia (36%). The older the graduate becomes, the more rational motives prevail in the track of mobility. Conclusion. The study of potential mobility allows us to conclude that the predominance of the national track of mobility is directly proportional to growing up, the older the respondent, the more rationally he approaches the choice of a further place of study and residence, taking into account the possibilities, both intellectual and financial. Thus, it becomes obvious why sufficiently high figures of potential mobility do not become as high indicators of real educational and labor emigrations.