<p>I am also very mixed on the large state school vs. smaller out of state college issue. My elder D is a sophomore at UF. She may well be on the five year plan (d/t a possible major change and/or need to retake a class etc). We don’t mind, of course, since UF is such a bargain. Between the florida prepaid tuition plan and 100% tuition paid for by bright futures…she can take an extra year or so if she needs to. Large schools can be very overwelming for many kids. My D made loads of “friends” last year as a freshman but still, didn’t really find her niche. This year she is joining a sorority as another way to make a large school smaller. UF has so much to offer but you have to really have a natural independence to actually find what you need. Like many college kids, mine is “a work in progress”. She is just learning how and what she needs academically, socially and emotionally. I think that if she were in a smaller, more nurturing (and perhaps more one on one) environment she would find her way sooner. OTOH, she would debate me on this. She loves her huge school and just about everything about it. And, although we could have afforded to send her elsewhere, we are very happy from a financial standpoint. She can now apply to any graduate school without limitations.</p>