Staying in-state vs. going out-of state for college? ?

Question

I found an out-of-state college that I really like and it is about $25,000 per year. Would it be better to stay in state and go to a college I like less that is about $10,000 less per year? I feel like it would be better to go to the college that I really like and spend the extra money, but I have been advised to stay in state.

Answer 1

What you really need to do is apply to both types of colleges. Apply to the public, in-state college that fits you best, and also apply to the other colleges, in-state and out, which you like. See where you get in. See what financial aid they offer you. Then decide.

Why? Those sticker prices for tuition can be deceptive. Sometimes the financial aid that is offered by an expensive school can bring it into line with a cheaper school. You won't know the *real* price to you of each school until you apply, and you file the FAFSA, and are accepted and receive your aid offer.

So don't NOT apply to that school because you think it's expensive. In the end, it might not be.  

Answer 2

Do yourself a favor and attend 1 year at a local community college. This will get your feet wet and you will learn a lot about what college offers without spending a fortune (usually less than $2K for the first year) ... then you can transfer to the college that will help you best. Be sure to mention this to the accademic counsellor at the community college when applying. They will know about the requirements of the colleges you are thinking about and can help you select courses that will be transferable to both so you won't waste any learning.

Now I won't kid you, community college **is** different from 4 year colleges (mostly because they are usually made of mostly "non-residential" students living off campus) but there are also a lot of similarities. Ignore the myth that community colleges are "sub standard" because that is BS ... if they were then the 4 year universities would never accept transfer students from them.

Take a full load (12+ credits) of academic classes so you understand what that means (when you have 3+ papers due for finals in the same week it will make sense) but also be sure and take an extra course that is "just for fun" ... my first year I took a beginning singing course and it was a great stress reliever.

Finally, get the book "Becoming a Master Student" (see the link below) ... every first year student should read this in my opinion. Many colleges teach a Human Developement course using this book for the text. Read it and use it, it will help.

Answer 3

Well, I think it would depend on the similarities and differences between the in-state college and the 0ut-of-state college.  What I mean is, does the in-state college offer the program/major that you want?  Are the two schools roughly equal in ranking?  Are they at least roughly equal in the department/major area ranking?  What does the out-of-state school offer that the in-state school does not?  What does the in-state school offer that the out-of-state does not?  If you did go out-of-state, what kind of financial aid are you eligible for?  Can you get federal pell grants?  If you attend in-state, does that state offer state grants?  All of these things need to be considered and then you need to weigh the pros and cons and see which comes out better.  

Answer 4

You'll be there at least 4 years. You need to be where you are happy. Some schools offer out-of-state tuition waivers (meaning you pay what you would as a resident) if you keep your GPA high. You will also have the opportunity to take out loans and grants if necessary.

The pros of an in-state school are that you'll be near friends and family. You have that important support base. The cons are that you don't get the  same diversity, change or independence that an out-of-state college offers.

I'd choose according to 1) who would offer the best education and 2) whether I could afford the tuition/living arrangements and 3) what I wanted most (!).