In the wake of a rough economy and the seemingly dried-up well of jobs, more Saint Joseph’s U. students are moving back home after graduation than ever.

“I don’t really have a choice,” said Kaitlin Southron, an English major. “It’s kind of expected at this point.”

Southron and her fellow graduating seniors are not alone. According to statistics from CollegeGrade.com, 80 percent of U.S. college graduates moved back home in 2009. Many students cite the failing economy as the main reason. Without a job, the cost of living on their own is often unaffordable.

“I don’t have enough money to get my own place, yet,” said psychology major Mary Eads. “Since I don’t have a job, yet, it’s just more economical at the moment for me to live at home and save money.”

John Feeley, a political science major from Cranford, N.J., is moving home for more reasons than just financial tightness. He’s looking forward to obtaining a job closer to his hometown.

“I’m hoping to get a job close to home,” Feeley said. “I like the New York City/North Jersey area and would love to get a job while being close to or living in Cranford for a long time.”

According to the same CollegeGrade.com poll, 11.5 percent of the students polled said they planned on moving home just for the summer. The number of students moving back home until they find a job jumps to nearly 70 percent.

None of these Saint Joseph’s students currently have a job waiting for them come fall, adding to the stress of the “what next” question after graduation.

Southron is just looking forward to catching her breath.

“My senior year has been so crazy with so many different things,” she said. “I honestly have not had any time to sit down, fix up my resume, and look for a full-time job. So that’s what I plan to do this summer.”

Lauren Miller, an English major with a minor in fine and performing arts, is moving back home to spend some time with family before pursuing her ideal job.

“I love my family and it’s a good way to save for when I eventually move,” Miller said. “Being at home for one last summer, or for a few more months, maybe a year, would be nice. That way I can have some time with my sisters before we move ahead in our careers.”

But not all seniors are thrilled with the idea of moving back home after living among their friends for the last four years. For many, the feeling is bittersweet.

“I love my parents and am glad to be moving back in with them,” said Feeley. “But I would also like to get my feet wet in the real world and provide for myself.”

Southron is worried that moving back home will feel like a step backwards, a resort back to high school days when her parents kept her on a shorter leash.

“It’s always hard to go home on breaks and try to show them how much I’ve learned and how much I’ve grown up,” Southron said. “But I worry that my parents will still treat me like a child.”

Southron is also afraid that the comforts of home may tempt her to stay there longer than she really wants.

“I also fear that I will become too comfortable at home, and not do much with myself after I graduate college,” she said. “My goal is to find a job and move out at least within the next year. I’d really like to move into Center City [Philadelphia].”

Miller echoed the sentiment of wanting something bigger for herself after graduation.

“I would really love to work in the music/entertainment business,” she said. “It’s a one-in-a-million chance, and people interested in this field are a dime a dozen. But I want my job to be something important to me and that gives back to other people, whether it be joy, comfort, etc. I just want to be something more.”

All college graduates have big dreams for their futures, and sometimes moving back home becomes a means to a better end.

“I can unpack my bags for good!” Southron joked. “It’ll be nice having one place to call home for a little while.”

Of course, moving back home also means separating from the second family many have created here at St. Joe’s. For some, it’s the singular thing they’ll miss about college. Eads is grateful that her hometown of King of Prussia, Pa., isn’t too far away from Philadelphia.

“I am still going to be close, so I don’t think I’ll miss it as much as if I had moved farther away,” Eads said.

On the other hand, Feeley is not too anxious about leaving the “City of Brotherly Love,” where he has been outnumbered as a sports fan these last few years.

“I’m a North Jersey and New York City person through and through,” Feeley said. “And while there will be some things I miss about the city, I really won’t be losing much sleep over not being in Philadelphia anymore.”

“Especially since I’m a Mets fan,” he added.