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This article probes brain drain in Iran. In order to explain the issue, quantitative data were collected on faculty members’ views regarding their reasons for the emigration of the educated elite. It is argued that the theory which best explains the data is the pull-push factors theory. Regarding the push factors, low status of scientific activity in the society, lack of research facilities, and low wage and salary of researchers were considered as very important reasons in the opinions expressed by the faculty members. On pulling factors, our research findings show that better living standards, better conditions for scientific work, more suitable research facilities, better employment opportunities and higher salaries, family security, and non-existence of utilization opportunities or non-utilization of professional skills in the country, affected brain drain. Yet cultural/political reasons and personal intellectual freedom were not regarded as important push or pull factors in the views of the respondents.