The general situation is that most college students’ choices are limited in various ways.
- Money. Median household income in the US is around the Pell grant threshold, so it is not like many students and their families can afford the residential college experience (which most colleges will not give enough need-based financial aid to cover). Most students would gladly trade places in the college money aspect with the self-described "middle class" that will not get need-based financial aid anywhere (> $260,000 income) but can afford "only" state flagship costs for a residential student.
- Increasingly selective admissions at the more residential state flagships and private schools.
- Parental restrictions on traditional students, such as the common stories of requiring the student to live at home and commute (regardless of cost or academic fit).
- Work and family obligations for non-traditional students.