Choosing Between In-State and Out-of-State Universities

Every person looks for different features in a college.  And the process of choosing a college is a stressful and important decision, filled with many factors, including prize and location.

When considering an in-state versus an out-of-state school, it is no secret that out-of-state colleges are significantly more expensive.  According to Statisticbrain.com, on average, out-of-state college tuition is about $20,000 more than in-state tuitions.  Deciding a price range is the first step in narrowing down your college options. So if you’re basing your college choice exclusively on tuition, it makes more sense to choice a cheaper, in-state college.

If money is not an issue, research whether in-state or out-of-state colleges are better at accommodating your major.  For example, if you live in the Midwest and want to become a marine biologist, it would make more sense to move out of state to a coastal university.  But if you are planning on majoring in fashion and design and live in New York, it would most likely be more beneficial to stay in the fashion capital of the United States.

Lastly, it is important to consider your personality and how close you are with your family and hometown friends.  A person with a more open, outgoing personality may be more comfortable making new friends out-of-state.  This is different than introverted people who have a harder time branching out.  Choosing an in-state or out of state college can also depends on how you people are with your family.  Some teens may be more content being farther away and not seeing them as much as others.