<p>Just curious as to why everyone thinks this is. For instance, as far as I know, there aren’t many universities in San Antonio, Detroit, Jacksonville, El Paso, Las Vegas, etc., yet these are among the most populous cities in the United States - cities with a lot to offer. Why do you think some major cities seem to be saturated with colleges (i.e. Boston), whereas colleges are scarce in such cities?</p>
<p>some possible reasons:</p>
<p>1) some of the cities you mentioned (the ones w/ fewer well-known colleges)have only recently had population surges, whereas the others (with many known colleges) have been around for centuries-the colleges in the older towns have had more time to a) be founded, and b) establish reputations.</p>
<p>2) a lot of the cities you mentioned are in the south/west/midwest/southwest; at the time when many colleges were founded, most people lived in the east/northeast, so the colleges were established in those areas.</p>
<p>…sorry if any of my post was unclear, but i’ve been up all night and am only semi-conscious…</p>
<p>Ditto on the semi-conscious - I’m addicted.</p>
<p>Anyhow, I get your point, I just would think that there would be an increase in the establishment of universities in those places, though it seems like there hasn’t really even been much initiative in that respect. I love San Antonio, and would have an awesome time attending school there, but the only university I can think of there is Trinity and St. Mary’s… not too desirable.</p>
<p>Easier said than done to found a reputable university.</p>
<p>To found a college, you need FUNDING. Public colleges get their money from taxpayers. However, when a new public school opens, it is limited by its lack of reputation. When there’s already UT-Austin and Texas A&M in-state, it’s going to be hard for San Antonio State to attract good students in-state, let alone out-of-state. This is why most young public schools are halfway between college and community college.</p>
<p>Founding a private college is even more difficult. Where do you get the money to found a private school? Unless you’re Warren Buffett, you’re going to need help. From where? The church. You need to associate yourself with a religious denomination, and at first you are going to probably have to have religion play a big role in your school if you want their support. This is why most of the newer private schools are tied heavily to religion (Oral Roberts, founded 1965). Only once you have managed to grow a reputation as a good school and can survive on your own can you sever ties…depending on your location, appeal, faculty, facilities, etc. this could take a REALLY LONG TIME. This is why most of the secular private schools are OLD and VERY REPUTABLE…Northwestern, Stanford, Tufts, GW, the Ivies, Duke, even still-affiliated schools that don’t push religion on you, like Emory or G’Town are old and top-quality.</p>
<p>There are very few “young” (<100 years old) schools that are appealing to your typical CCer. New College of Florida is one because it gets a HUGE amount of state funding and it fills a specific niche that was lacking: a politically liberal small LAC in the South. </p>
<p>There is no niche in Detroit: Ann Arbor is next door.
There’s no niche in Las Vegas: it’s not the traditional town parents want to send their kids to for college, UNLV is plenty
There’s no niche in Jacksonville: Florida is now saturated with public schools: FIU, FAU, USF, UCF, UF, Fla St., New College</p>
<p>San Antonio will eventually develop an excellent college or two, but it’s too soon. El Paso will take longer…right now, the town has illegal immigration problems to deal with.</p>
<p>In Detroit it’s all about safety. Detroit has several colleges (Wayne State University, U of Detroit Mercy, Marygrove College, College for Creative Studies), but lots of people are (justifiably) hesitant to go to them for safety reasons. </p>
<p>Like a lot of things in the Detroit area, much of the college scene has moved to or sprouted in the (safer) suburbs. In the suburbs are Oakland University, U of Michigan-Dearborn, Madonna University, Lawrence Technological University, and Rochester College. A short drive west of Detroit are U of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Eastern Michigan U. There are also a slew of community colleges in the suburbs, some of which have huge enrollments.</p>
<p>San Antonio has Trinity U, which while not a powerhouse, certainly is pretty good and I think will continue to improve.</p>
<p>Las Vegas has the problem of being Las Vegas.
Detroit has the problem of being Detroit.
El Paso is in West Texas.</p>
<p>These are great cities with lots to offer, but they are harder to sell to most people because there are still rather large negatives(at least percieved negatives).</p>