<p>I don’t think it has as much to do with the course content at LACs being seen as not as useful as it has to do with the fact that state schools are much cheaper. Parents are probably freaking out about their dwindling 401(k)s and insisting that their children only apply where they can afford to go (more likely to be public/state schools than LACs).</p>
<p>Also, I hardly think a degree from an LAC is not “legitimate.”</p>