I can certainly understand people like to stay in their comfort zone for college, but it is worth point out that there are many places in their comfort zone, and their home zone may not be as comforting as they think. Houston had a gay mayor for 12 years, and is probably considerably more liberal than, say, Orange County. And lots and lots of Californians support the current President. It simply isn’t the case that California votes 90% liberal and Texas 90% conservative-at all. In both states, about 40% of the population prefer the “other” candidate, whichever that is. But stereotypes are deeply ingrained, I’ve learned, and it can be easier to hide in one’s bubble.