5 answers
Liam
Student
Thousand Oaks, California
2
Questions
Asked
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Is it better to go in or out of state for college/university?
I am psychologically set on furthering my education out of my home state at a four-year university, but is there any disadvantages in doing this besides out-of-state tuition? Advantages? #university #career-path #workforce-planning #college-advice #college-choice
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5 answers
Debra Dukes
Graduate Faculty - Research
53
Answers
Acworth, Georgia
Updated
Debra’s Answer
It really doesn't matter if you go in-state or out-of-state - other then finances. It's much more expensive to pay out-of state tuition. What's more important is a highly reputable college with regional accreditation and "good" academics, and of course, a college that has your desired degree or career prep program. Some young, traditional-aged college student, like to go far enough from home to "feel like" they are living on their own. And others like to go to a college close to home so they can frequently see parents, friends, have mom do laundry, etc. :) YOU choose the college that YOU want to attend, that meets YOUR needs and that is financially "do-able".-
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Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Liam.
There are additional challenges to moving out of state for school besides tuition. I would describe my main experience was having too much newness at once. First of all, college was new and much harder than high school, like times 10 harder. Then I moved to a new state with a totally different climate than where I came from. I grew up in the desert and ended up in the Cascades of the Northwest with 200 days of rain and four seasons. I also went from a big city to a small town. Lastly, I went from living at home to living with a stranger in a single room. I didn't know anyone. All of those things on their own can be disorienting. All at once, and I was under constant stress for the first semester. And it showed. I failed one of my classes that first semester. And unlike high school, there is a monetary impact to failing a class. I was burning my mom's money with that. So looking back, I might have done a few things differently. First and foremost, i would have started college at home. College life is hard enough without changing the scenery. If I was intent on moving away, I might have gone to school closer, say a nearby state with a similar climate. Or I would have gone to a school where someone else I knew would be going. We wouldn't have to be roommates, but it would be nice to have someone that I know close by. I did not have a lot of family options at the time, but being near family is another way to make the transition to out of state easier.
Gloria
There are additional challenges to moving out of state for school besides tuition. I would describe my main experience was having too much newness at once. First of all, college was new and much harder than high school, like times 10 harder. Then I moved to a new state with a totally different climate than where I came from. I grew up in the desert and ended up in the Cascades of the Northwest with 200 days of rain and four seasons. I also went from a big city to a small town. Lastly, I went from living at home to living with a stranger in a single room. I didn't know anyone. All of those things on their own can be disorienting. All at once, and I was under constant stress for the first semester. And it showed. I failed one of my classes that first semester. And unlike high school, there is a monetary impact to failing a class. I was burning my mom's money with that. So looking back, I might have done a few things differently. First and foremost, i would have started college at home. College life is hard enough without changing the scenery. If I was intent on moving away, I might have gone to school closer, say a nearby state with a similar climate. Or I would have gone to a school where someone else I knew would be going. We wouldn't have to be roommates, but it would be nice to have someone that I know close by. I did not have a lot of family options at the time, but being near family is another way to make the transition to out of state easier.
Gloria
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
362
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Liam,
Attending a college or university in-state versus out-of-state will all depend upon what you want to get out of your academic journey. Is there a particular college or university that you want to attend?
In-State College or University:
* Lower tuition costs
* Able to live at home to save money
* Being closer to family, friends and loved ones
* Time Management
* Responsibilities of being a college student and living at home
* Working to help pay for college costs
* Home cooked meals, laundry done, commuting experience
* Financial Scholarships
Out-of-State College or University:
* Higher tuition costs
* Room and board and meal plan costs
* Being independent, learning and developing and freedom as a young adult
* Forming new friendships
* Time Management
* Working on campus to help out with financing college education
* On campus activities, clubs and events
* Privacy
* Financial Scholarships
I attended college while living at home and helped my parents and family save money, especially since there were five kids in the family. But, by doing so, the whole college life was not fully experienced like living in a dormitory, having roommates, etc. I still made new friendships, attended college games and events and was active in clubs.
Your college journey should be about you and your adventures and experiences that you want to have. It is best to research colleges and universities and what they have to offer in terms of majors, on and off campus life/activities, financial aid and so forth.
Best wishes and have fun in your college journey and adventures!
Research colleges and universities
Research financial options and scholarships for in-state and out-of-state costs
Ask friends for their experiences going away or staying home for college
Attending a college or university in-state versus out-of-state will all depend upon what you want to get out of your academic journey. Is there a particular college or university that you want to attend?
In-State College or University:
* Lower tuition costs
* Able to live at home to save money
* Being closer to family, friends and loved ones
* Time Management
* Responsibilities of being a college student and living at home
* Working to help pay for college costs
* Home cooked meals, laundry done, commuting experience
* Financial Scholarships
Out-of-State College or University:
* Higher tuition costs
* Room and board and meal plan costs
* Being independent, learning and developing and freedom as a young adult
* Forming new friendships
* Time Management
* Working on campus to help out with financing college education
* On campus activities, clubs and events
* Privacy
* Financial Scholarships
I attended college while living at home and helped my parents and family save money, especially since there were five kids in the family. But, by doing so, the whole college life was not fully experienced like living in a dormitory, having roommates, etc. I still made new friendships, attended college games and events and was active in clubs.
Your college journey should be about you and your adventures and experiences that you want to have. It is best to research colleges and universities and what they have to offer in terms of majors, on and off campus life/activities, financial aid and so forth.
Best wishes and have fun in your college journey and adventures!
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Warren Smith
Project Manager
4
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Warren’s Answer
Going to college out-of-state or in-state has both advantages and disadvantages. I will offer 3 or 4 advantages and disadvantages for each.
In-state advantages:
* Close to family, friends, things you are familiar with
* Potential scholarships to public colleges/universities for in-state students
* Potential to commute to school and not live oncampus
* Ability to be a "resident expert" to new friends you will meet from out-of-state
In-state disadvantages:
* If you commute, you may miss some on-campus comraderie
* If you've not gone out of the state before, an opportunity to see something new firsthand will have to wait
* Close to things you are familiar with (will you be challenged staying in-state?)
Out-of-state advantages:
* Opportunity to experience something new
* Standing on your own and gaining more responsibility (no one else is waking you up for class)
* Stories to share about your experience whenever you go back home at breaks
* Scholarships for out-of-state students
Out-of-state disadvantages:
* Travel to and from your home state
* You may get homesick at some point; However, home is a phone call away
* Weather/environment may cause some allergic reactions
Coming out of high school, the best opportunity for what I wanted my major to be and where my degree came from was out of state. I am glad I made the choice I did and that I had the support of my family, plus the scholarship, to achieve my collegiate goals. I have relationships with people that I am thankful for meeting and they welcomed me into where they were from. Those relationships gave me more places to visit and explore.
Thank you for asking the question and have a successful time in college!
In-state advantages:
* Close to family, friends, things you are familiar with
* Potential scholarships to public colleges/universities for in-state students
* Potential to commute to school and not live oncampus
* Ability to be a "resident expert" to new friends you will meet from out-of-state
In-state disadvantages:
* If you commute, you may miss some on-campus comraderie
* If you've not gone out of the state before, an opportunity to see something new firsthand will have to wait
* Close to things you are familiar with (will you be challenged staying in-state?)
Out-of-state advantages:
* Opportunity to experience something new
* Standing on your own and gaining more responsibility (no one else is waking you up for class)
* Stories to share about your experience whenever you go back home at breaks
* Scholarships for out-of-state students
Out-of-state disadvantages:
* Travel to and from your home state
* You may get homesick at some point; However, home is a phone call away
* Weather/environment may cause some allergic reactions
Coming out of high school, the best opportunity for what I wanted my major to be and where my degree came from was out of state. I am glad I made the choice I did and that I had the support of my family, plus the scholarship, to achieve my collegiate goals. I have relationships with people that I am thankful for meeting and they welcomed me into where they were from. Those relationships gave me more places to visit and explore.
Thank you for asking the question and have a successful time in college!
Simeon Snow
Risk Assurance
1790
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
I'd say go for it! Even staying in the United States, going to different parts of the country exposes you to wildly different cultures and people. It really opens up your horizons and gives you the chance to fully dive in to the adventure. Plus, it's nice to be further than a day trip away from relatives so you can get the chance to grow your own wings.