<p>@dadx
I’m not surprised if growing numbers of students from the northeast have been choosing southern schools. That does not mean any of the NESCAC schools are seriously hurting for applicants. Their admit rates range from 14% (Amherst) to 35% (Connecticut College). The admit rate at Union College (a former NESCAC member) is only slightly higher (38%). There is more demand for college education now than there was decades ago, yet the supply of northeastern private schools hasn’t grown. Therefore, more prospective college students may be looking farther afield for schools they can get into and afford. </p>
<p>True, USC (S. Carolina) would be cheaper for a full pay student than, say, Trinity (Hartford). However, Trinity awards an average of over $22K even for need-based aid recipients from families earning $150K and up. ~41% of Trinity students receive need-based aid. Unless your family is fairly prosperous, any NESCAC school may be cost-competitive with a southern state university like USC (where the full OOS COA is greater than $38K) if you aren’t a resident of the public school’s state. Here are the costs for OOS students to attend some of the southern schools mentioned above, after average need based aid (assuming they even get it):</p>
<p>$35,486 Clemson (58% accepted)
$33,569 USC (61% accepted)
$30,201 University of Georgia (56% accepted)
$29,367 Virginia Tech (70% accepted)
$28,236 UNC (28% accepted)
$21,607 Texas Tech (64% accepted)
Source: Kiplinger’s (for costs), USNWR (for admission rates)</p>
<p>$17,949 Trinity (mean tuition + r&b + fees for n-b aid recipients)
Source: <a href=“http://www.trincoll.edu/AboutTrinity/offices/InstitutionalResearchPlanning/Documents/financialAid.pdf”>http://www.trincoll.edu/AboutTrinity/offices/InstitutionalResearchPlanning/Documents/financialAid.pdf</a></p>
<p>So for most New England HS students (who would not pay a full ~$60K if they could get into a selective LAC), cost isn’t necessarily what would make southern state universities more appealing. That could come from their much higher admit rates, or else “fit” factors (such as the availability of majors that LACs do not offer). </p>
<p>However, I do agree that Clemson at $40K may make a lot more sense than Union at $60K … if those are your choices. UConn (~$25K for a Connecticut resident) or a SUNY (~$20K for a NY resident) may make even more sense.</p>