Some students wish to go far, far away for college. They crave that independence, the freedom to not be checked on, and the desire to become an adult on their own terms.
Other students want to stay closer to home for school. They want to be able to travel home on weekends to see their friends, siblings, and, yes, even their parents. They want to know that Mom is only a couple of hours away if there's an emergency or if they get sick. They want to go to the same university as some of their classmates.
The question of "How far should I go for college?" is ubiquitous. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, 53% of college students attend a college that is within 100 miles of their hometown.
There are several things high school students should consider when deciding which colleges to apply for:
1. College Tuition
Tuition is deeply discounted for in-state residents, meaning that you can get the same education much more cheaply by stating in your home state. In addition, many states and universities have financial aid programs just for residents.
2. Travel Expenses
High school students sometimes tend to think that they won't ever go back home. In reality, college students travel back to their hometown at least 2 or 3 times a year: for winter break, for Spring Break, and for the summer. Add in a couple more trips for birthdays, homesickness and to get caught up on your laundry. The farther away college students are from home, the more expensive and time-consuming the trip home is.
3. College admissions and acceptance rates
Most public universities will give preferences to in-state applicants so you have better odds of being accepted at a state college nearby.
4. College transition
College brings on a lot of 'firsts' for most students: first time living on your own, first time dealing with college coursework, first time being completely reliant on yourself to get to class, first time with no curfew and first long-term time away from home. This transition can be hard on college freshmen. Add to that difficult time, college students far from home, may be dealing with a different culture, different weather, different social activities, and different town, all while not knowing anyone. Many college students drop out after a year because of this difficult transition.
Which states have the most college students stay close to home?
With all of these factors, you may be wondering the percentages of students who stay in-state for college. It varies based on factors, such as distance and availability of good universities nearby. For example, 96% of Alaska residents attend state schools. In California, where the UC system is struggling, more students are leaving their state for college (down to 84%).
Schools with the highest percentage of students staying in-state are:
Montana (91%), Mississippi (90%), New Mexico (92%), Nevada (91%), Wyoming (95%), and Alaska
Schools with the LOWEST percentage of students staying in-state for college are:
Massachusetts (43%), Pennsylvania (55%), New York (55%), New Hampshire (59%), Vermont (59%), Missouri (58%), and Arizona (58%)
Texas ranks about middle of the pack with 87% of students staying in-state for college.
Either in-state, out-of- state, private or public college, students and their families should decide which college environment, program and costs are right for their family. Families should do research, tour college campuses, speak with alumni and check the graduation rates before making this large investment of time and money.
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education (2010
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