UM administrators and regents have addressed this question, but the words they use are interesting in themselves. The phrase they use is “state assisted” university. They say they have a “commitment” to the state, but some have argued that having a first-class research university that attracts students, scholars and research dollars from across the country is more important than admitting a certain percentage of in-state students.
The university and regents also recognize that state money is scarce. For that reason, they have not sought to cap iOOS admissions and, in fact, have worked to dramatically improve OOS financial aid. Michigan’s FA program is now one of the best in the country, and they are one of the few universities that commit to meet the full need of OOS students with family incomes below $85-90k.