<p>Some quick back of the envelope calculations** suggest that, bottom line, if W&M were to be 100% in-state, then tuition+ fees would have to be raised by just over $8000 a year for all undergraduates - and since many of them are on assistance, the shortfall would be even higher, and so then, the actual increase would be larger. (Such assistance isn’t generally available to OOS students.) </p>
<p>Put another way, OOS students combined, while representing 35% of the school population, pay more in total tuition than the combined 65% of in-state students. </p>
<p>It’s a common populist complaint, that W&M as a state school, should admit any/all in-state students that apply before allowing out-of-state students. But when asked to provide additional state support, or raise fees to meet the funding gap, suddenly people want no part of <em>that</em> discussion. </p>
<p>And if the next tack is to complain about the outrageous costs of this, well, I can only say it’s a free market, so people should “shop around” for a better deal. </p>
<p>Philosophically, I <em>wish</em> W&M and other state schools were tuition-free, at least for in-state students - even while I recognize that’s not possible. But I still wouldn’t want them to only accept in-state students - not only are there benefits to the school and its students by having people of many different viewpoints and geographies in their classes, the state ultimately benefits as well. </p>
<p>Consider how the school brings many of the best and brightest from around the country, and from around the world. Now, consider how many of these students, after graduation, decide to stay in Virginia, and put their educations to work here. We all benefit from this.</p>
<p>** estimated, based on class size and fee schedules - I’m sure there’s some variance, but close enough to make a discussion point.</p>