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[AustenNut]

As an FYI, I thought this might be helpful context about some of the MA publics. This is one person’s perspective on them, but it may give you some leads about questions to investigate at various college options (including whether a school is a commuter school or suitcase school…the latter a residential campus that empties that empties as students go home on the weekends).

@MAmomto4

For tiers of “directional” state universities I can say I know a lot more people who attend or aspire to attend Westfield, Bridgewater, & Worcester State than Framingham, Salem, and Fitchburg. I also think the first set might be bigger schools with more majors than the second set. So I feel like there is some self section of student quality there. If your finances dictate you go in state and you need to live at home, a better student would usually choose Worcester over Framingham, for instance.

Additionally, a number of the MA publics participate in the National Student Exchange program whereby students can spend a year at a college in the exchange and only pay the amount they would have paid at the home campus. I believe students can even repeat the experience (at different universities). These are the NSE profile pages for the MA publics:

• Bridgewater State University
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
• Salem State University
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Massachusetts Boston
• Westfield State University
• Worcester State University

There are liberal arts colleges like the CC favorite St. Olaf, or more exotic options like U. of Hawaii (or Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands). There are options in Canada, or if she wants an SEC experience she could go to U. of Georgia or U. of Alabama. Essentially, lots of options.

Also, don’t overlook the SUNY schools. Although Maine’s not one of the Tuition Match states, I’d be surprised if they didn’t make themselves at least competitive with U. of Maine’s tuition for a student like your D. Some of the campuses (I think either Oswego or Oneonta is one) also have a deal on room & board for students, too.