The Pros & Cons of Going to School In-State vs. Out-of-State
Adapted from Her College, by Jessica Salerno
Deciding whether or not to stay close to home can be tricky. Is staying close to your family a benefit or a distraction? Will you love living far away or get too homesick? If you’re trying to decide between an in-state and an out-of-state school, take a look at some of the advice below!
Out-Of-State Schools
The drive (or plane ride) can oftentimes be a bummer, and when you’re missing Mom’s cooking you can’t just pop over for dinner when you feel like it. But getting introduced to new surroundings is a great thing, and you can learn a lot about yourself by living in a different environment.
Pro
Living completely on your own. It can be easy to lean on family when you need something, so living farther away can help you build more independence.
Con
Con
Pro
Less help with tuition. Public out-of-state universities will have a large cost for out-of-state applicants, and private schools are oftentimes more expensive anyways.
Pro
More career opportunities. Certain areas of the country are better for your future career than you might be able to get by staying in-state.
Distance from friends and family. Perhaps the biggest concern for most students, the farther away you are from you’re family, the harder it is to see them regularly.
Pro
If you're applying to out-of-state private universities, you may have a chance at getting some scholarships because of where you're from.
In-State Schools
The familiarity of home can be a lifesaver when things get confusing and tough, and if you’re close with your family you’ll be able to see them a lot more than you would if you went out of state.
In-State tuition can be cheaper. Although normally only true for public institutions, many state governments give scholarships and grants (money you don't have to pay back) to students from their state that are going to public or private colleges within the state.
Con
Con
You see the same people from high school. Again, this happens a lot more at public institutions, but sometimes you don’t get exposed to as many new people when you already know a ton of people in your freshman class.
Pro
Pro
Scholarships and financial aid. Many schools offer specific scholarships and financial aid to in-state students.
Con
Con
Not experiencing different cities. Sometimes, living close to where you grew up is too close for comfort.
Pro
Pro
Mom’s cooking is only a short drive away. If you need a break from the dorms or don’t feel like cooking for a night, it can be nice to head home for the evening to grab a meal with the family.
