photo credit: qbirdnumber1
When it comes to choosing a college, one of the biggest decisions you will make is whether you attend a school in your state, or take off to an out of state school. This decision had major implications, in terms of money, lifestyle, and more.
Let’s talk about the money first. If you’re attending a publicly funded school in your state, the government is actually paying for a lot of your school costs, so you pay much less tuition than a private school. However, if you attend a publicly funded school outside your state, you get to pay the dreaded “out of state” tuition rate, that is, the government isn’t subsidizing your education. The results of this is that you pay much more (2-3 times more) for the same education that residents of the state get. This sucks. But, if you really want to attend, it may be worth it. Also, many states will allow you to become a resident (meaning you’re eligible for in state tuition) if you meet certain criteria, so these are worth checking into.
If you’re going to a private school, money isn’t as much of an issue because there is no in state/out of state tuition difference. Everybody pays the same cost. However, keep in mind that the cost of living in a different place will be different, so be sure to take that into account when planning.
Aside from the money issue, there are some major lifestyle differences that make in state/out of state very different. For one thing, if you’re in state, you’ll most likely be reasonably close to your family and friends, which can be a good and a bad thing. Good, since you can be with the people you love, and bad, since college is a great time to reexamine yourself, and the presence of the people you already know could hamper this process. Being in a totally fresh environment can push you in ways you never thought possible, and going to an out of state can make this happen.
In addition to putting you away from you your comfort zone, going to an out of state school gives you an opportunity to live and work in an entirely different place. Grew up in a small town your whole life? Try going to school in a big see. Live in the mountains? Try the beach for a change. Getting into a new place can be a great experience.
However, going out of state can have its stresses. Without your normal support network of family and friends, dealing with a crisis can be much harder. You also will find it hard to visit home on the big breaks, because of the transportation issue. If you have a significant other back home, you will have to endure a long distance relationship.
Overall, making the choice to go in or out of state is all about balancing all these factors in your mind. Does the independence and newness of an out of state school warrant the extra expense and personal stress? How far out of my comfort zone do I want to go? These are questions that only you can answer, but be assured that whatever choice you make, there are always positive aspects to. College is a great time, whether in state or out.
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