Middle class with high stat child. From the U.K. but Cal resident for 12 years. We found that even at our college prep high school, the only advice was aimed at how to apply to Cal colleges. If you couldn’t afford a UC then go to a local CC and transfer for the last 2 years. Our advisor never mentioned OOS except to say it would be cost prohibitive.
From our own research and feedback from friends, the UC’s are all ridiculously impacted. Cost a fortune, Their accommodation is poor ( several are forcing freshman into triples for the first year) and have high ratings mainly due to their research and post grad work. Our son was also put off by their liberal leanings but that was his personal choice
We searched OOS out of desperation more than anything as we have too many kids to have saved large college funds. We also couldn’t quite fathom how any college was worth a hundred grand of debt.
Yes we are lucky that we have a high stat kid but with all our other children we will be looking OOS as well. There are great colleges and great deals to be had as long as you have an open mind regarding distance from home.
One last thing to mention is that in our experience, Californians tend to have a bit of a superiority complex regarding the schools and Cal education system. I think that is evident from the advice given to students ( in our case anyway) and hence would put off some parents and kids from looking OOS, even if it would be financially beneficial to them if they did.
For full disclosure our eldest is currently a freshman at Bama getting what is more or less a full ride scholarship to study engineering. I would challenge anyone to suggest how he would be better off going to UCLA and graduating $100K in debt