There are AMAZING Colleges and Universities everywhere! In every country, state and city.
What’s the Difference Between Out-of-State and In-State Colleges?
Out-of-state colleges differ from in-state colleges mainly in the fact that they’re, well, not in your home state. The term “in-state colleges” is primarily used to refer to public universities in your home state because this usually means a lower tuition price tag. For private colleges, in-state and out-of-state tuition are usually the same. The two main qualities that differentiate out-of-state colleges from in-state colleges are that out-of-state colleges are farther away from your hometown and generally more expensive than in-state colleges.
Boston College
Arizona State
University of Florida
Pros and Cons of Out-of-State Colleges
Pros
You’ll be able to explore a new area and get outside your comfort zone.
You’ll meet more people from different backgrounds and be more incentivized to make new friends.
You’ll have more independence and get a feel for what it’s like to live on your own.
Tons of choices! If you’re open to attending college out of state, you’ll have a huge range of different types of schools to choose from and won’t be limited by what your state offers.
Cons
You'll pay a higher tuition price for an out-of-state college than you would for an in-state public university.
You’ll miss out on any savings you might get from living at home and commuting to an in-state school.
You’ll be further away from home, so you won’t be able to rely on your family for support as much or see your old friends as often.
You might feel isolated or lonely in an unfamiliar place.
University of Vermont
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Connecticut
Should You Go to an Out-of-State College?
Is an out-of-state college right for you? There’s a couple of personal factors you should consider now that you understand the general positives and negatives.
First, how important is the cost of college to you and your family? Out-of-state tuition is usually pricier than in-state tuition. The average tuition price is $9,139 for in-state students and $22,958 for out-of-state students (both at public colleges). If you plan on attending a private college, however, in state and out-of-state tuition rates will be more similar. Discuss financing college with your family and do some research. To reduce your student debt, you may decide that an in-state public college is the best option.
You should also ask yourself how far from home you want to be for college. Some students deal with the transition from high school to college better than others, and it can be tough to be in an unfamiliar place without access to your usual support system. During other times of change in your life, such as switching to a new school or moving to a new town, did you adapt well or did you struggle? This should give you clues as to how you might deal with settling into a new environment in college. If you think you’ll be all too happy to be away from your family and start meeting new people, you may thrive at an out-of-state school where you can re-establish your identity.
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