What are the advantages and disadvantages of attending an out of state college versus an instate college?

Question

And What are they advantages and disadvantages of attending an instate college versus and instate college?

I mean versus and out of state college in the second question.

Answer 1

My sense is that if you're thinking of it this way, then I don't think there are many good, rational, reasons for simply going out-of-state. I know that high school kids often think that it's more prestigious to go out-of-state - it makes you more unique compared to your classmates, it's cool to get far away from home - but unless there's a special program you need that is better out-of-state than in-state, the cost factor alone makes going in-state better.

If you're looking for a sense of adventure to see a totally new area, most colleges offer study abroad programs. And the tuition for attending them (and often the housing, too) is the same as your other classes. You just have to pay for the transportation, which you'd be paying anyway to keep going back and forth at semester breaks to an out-of-state school.

But, hey, if you have money to throw around, then definitely check out colleges in a totally different area of the country. In other words, if you're currently in the Northeast, going to another Northeast college in a different state is not worth it just to say you're getting far away from home. By going to a totally different region of the country, you will experience cultural differences and develop a broader perspective by living there.

P.S. Your follow-up question is meaningless without identifying the actual colleges or whether they are private or public. This is what leads me to believe that your question is based on frivolous factors.

Answer 2

Advantages of staying instate:

If it is state supported school there could be less tuition for instate students.
If you are planning on living in the state then the instate alumni network can be advantageous for career needs.
Less transportation costs
If you come from a single parent home you will do better and have a higher chance of graduating if you stay within 400 miles of home.

Advantages of outstate:
If you are planning on not staying in your state then going where the best career prep for your field is is best.
Cultural awareness.
Your parents are further away.

Answer 3

Advantages are almost always going to be highly personal. The university or community might have certain attractions, such as a lively party life, particular extracurriculars, climate, or historical or recreational sites. Getting far away from Mom 'n Dad might be of value too :-)

In-state is cheaper (out-of-state tuition costs are usually much higher, unless you're in a border region where there's a reciprocity agreement). You can save more cash if you live at home and commute to classes. You don't have to familiarize yourself with any odd state laws or customs (varies by state; when I did my MA in S. Carolina back in the 70s, they had so many silly laws that at times we almost couldn't function).

Answer 4

If you attend a public university of your state, and you have been living in that state long enough to qualify as a legal resident, than the tuition would be much cheaper. As an out-of-state student you would have to pay out-of-state tuition, which sometimes can be twice or thrice the in-state tuition. However, if you are attending a private college, than the tuition should be the same for in or out-of-state.

Answer 5

Tuition is higher for out of state students. Most students may be residents of the same state so there won't be much residency diversity. Top state schools will have students from other states. Those are the schools you should consider because the quality of education is worth the extra bucks.

I don't know your situation so I can't comment with specifics.

Answer 6

Colleges and Universities usually give tuition breaks to in-state students.

Answer 7

$$$ and availability of scholarships. Oh and most schools will require that out of state students take and score above certain thresholds on the ACT or SAT. You should be certain to know before paying any schools application fee!