One of the biggest challenges seniors face when choosing a college is whether to stay in-state or travel away from home and go to a college out-of-state.
Of 51 seniors surveyed, 47.1% are going to a college in-state and 52.9% are going out-of-state, but why?
Senior Sara Schumacher chose to stay in-state because it’s the most suitable choice for her.
“I’m going to KU — it’s the best option for me,” Schumacher said. “It was financially better, and I was offered what I wanted.”
On the other hand, senior Drew Schimmel chose to leave Kansas and will attend The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
“I’m going to college out of state to escape Kansas [and] to live in a bigger city,” Schimmel said.
Both seniors agreed students will be in a unique environment depending on which option they choose.
“You definitely get more of the community you’re used to [in state],” Schumacher said. “With out-of-state, you would get different people — it’s just a different experience.”
As well as providing a new environment, out-of-state colleges can provide a variety of possibilities.
“Going out-of-state lets people experience new lifestyles and tap into certain internship and job markets,” Schimmel said.
Money also plays a big factor in deciding which university to attend, but in-state colleges can lower the looming debt most college students take on.
“It’s a lot of money, but you’re not spending as much [in-state],” Schumacher said. “You can put that toward other opportunities while you’re in college.”
Schimmel agrees money can influence someone’s decision and understands out-of-state colleges can be more expensive but believes they also provide more opportunities.
“Internships are probably better out-of-state, but the [return on investment for] tuition is probably worse,” he said, “It depends since it’s super personal and subjective, but if you’re chill with debt, why not go out of state?”
Schumacher believes staying in-state for college is preferable compared to going out of state.
“You get that same familiar feeling you’re used to, which makes the transition to college less scary,” she said.
