<p>Sorry if I confused you, but if you can go to a college IN-STATE and it’s that much cheaper, do! college is expensive and a degree in nursing can really get you anywhere, it doesn’t matter what school you went to undergrad. IMHO if it’s in-state, but not direct entry, definitely still apply. Apply to a couple in-state if they’re good and they exist for that matter. And for the OOS schools, I would only apply to direct-entry programs, but if you get in, in-state (and you don’t get insane $ from elsewhere) go! It’s probably worth the stress to save that much $. You should check out the acceptance rates into the nursing program after the first two years though.</p>
<p>Apply often. You’ll be surprised at what you might get, $-wise! And find an aid calculator and calculate your EFC with your parents, trying to fill in as many actual numbers as possible. This will let you know around what colleges expect you to pay and give you a better idea of what places to look at / consider.</p>
<p>GOOD LUCK… and keep us posted. I <em>might</em> be applying to nursing schools with you in the fall, depending on how things pan out for me…</p>